Imodium
Imodium is a medicine used to treat diarrhea by slowing down bowel movements, making stools firmer and reducing how often you need to go.
Form
kapseli, pehmeä
Strength
2 mg
Active Ingredient
Loperamide hydrochloride
Manufacturer
McNeil / JNTL Consumer Health (Finland) Oy
How to Use
Dosage
For sudden diarrhea, take 2 capsules first, then 1 capsule after each loose bowel movement.
Method
Swallow the 2 mg capsules whole with liquid. You can take Imodium capsules at any time of day.
Important
Do not take more than 8 capsules in a 24-hour period.
Possible Side Effects
COMMON
- •Headache
- •Dizziness
- •Constipation
- •Nausea
- •Gas (flatulence)
RARE
- •Drowsiness
- •Stomach pain or discomfort
- •Dry mouth
- •Vomiting
- •Indigestion
- •Rash
- •Narrowing of pupils (small pupils)
- •Difficulty urinating
- •Fatigue
- •Muscle tension
- •Problems with coordination
- •Severe allergic reactions (e.g., swelling of the face, tongue, or throat, difficulty breathing, hives, skin redness, or blisters)
- •Extreme tiredness, muscle stiffness, coordination problems, loss of consciousness
- •Severe stomach pain and/or bloated stomach, which could be signs of a blocked or enlarged bowel
- •Upper abdominal pain, stomach pain radiating to the back, tender stomach, fever, rapid pulse, nausea, vomiting (these can be signs of acute pancreatitis)
Important Warnings
- Do not use if you are allergic to loperamide or any other ingredient in this medicine.
- Do not give to children under 6 years old (under 20 kg) or children under 12 without a doctor's prescription.
- Do not use if you have bloody stools or high fever with diarrhea.
- Do not use if you have inflamed colon (e.g., severe ulcerative colitis) or severe diarrhea caused by antibiotics.
- Do not use if your digestion is already slow, for example, if you have constipation or a bloated stomach.
Show 4 more warnings
- Do not use if you have gut inflammation caused by an invasive bacteria (e.g., salmonella, shigella, or campylobacter).
- Consult a doctor if your condition does not improve after two (2) days or gets worse.
- If you have AIDS and your stomach swells during Imodium treatment, stop using the medicine immediately and contact a doctor.
- Do not use this medicine for purposes other than intended, and never exceed the recommended dose. Taking too much loperamide can cause serious heart problems (e.g., fast or irregular heartbeat).
Use in Elderly Patients
Category A
Suitable for older adults. For treatment of diarrhoea for no more than two days. Do not use for the treatment of febrile diarrhoea. Avoid grapefruit. (updated 20.5.2024)