Loperamide 2mg Capsules

What is Loperamide?

Loperamide capsules are a treatment for diarrhoea in adults and children aged 12 years and over. It is the generic version of a medicine called Imodium, which has been used for many years as an effective diarrhoea treatment.

What is Loperamide used for?

Loperamide is used to treat acute cases of diarrhoea. There are several causes of diarrhoea: infection, allergy, stress, appendicitis, or a bad reaction to food, medicine or alcohol. Acute cases often pass after a few days of rest, but more serious instances can result in dehydration, headaches, nausea or stomach pain. Importantly, loperamide will control the symptoms of diarrhoea but will not treat the underlying cause. Loperamide is also often used to treat occasional bouts of diarrhoea that occur with chronic bowel conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

How does Loperamide work?

Loperamide works by slowing down bowel movements and allowing the bowel to absorb more water and electrolytes. The active ingredient, loperamide hydrochloride, affects the sensitivity of certain nerve receptors in the intestines. This reduces the frequency of muscular contractions, which slows down the passage of food and allows the intestines to better absorb water from the waste. As a result, bowel movements are firmer and occur less frequently.

You can combine Loperamide 2mg capsules with oral rehydration sachets (like Dioralyte) to ensure any lost fluids and electrolytes are replaced whilst you have diarrhoea.

Loperamide dosage

For your first dose, take two capsules (4mg) immediately following a loose stool. For each subsequent loose stool, take one capsule (2mg).

You should see improvement within 48 hours of taking loperamide. Do not take more than six capsules within 24 hours.

Loperamide is suitable for use in adults and children aged over 12.

Loperamide ingredients

The active ingredient contained in Loperamide is:

Loperamide hydrochloride.

Loperamide also contains the following inactive ingredients to make up the complete product:

Maize starch, lactose, povidone, sodium starch glycolate, magnesium stearate, gelatin, shellac, simethicone, titanium dioxide (E171), iron oxides (E172), propylene glycol (E1520), patent blue V (E131).

Loperamide side effects

Not everyone will experience side effects when they take Loperamide, however, if you do these can include:

• Common (more than 1 in 100): Headache, nausea, constipation, wind.
• Uncommon (more than 1 in 1000): Dizziness, abdominal pain, abdominal discomfort, dry mouth, vomiting, dyspepsia, rash.

If you are concerned about these effects, or if the product affects you in any other way, stop using it and talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

For a full list of side effects, please ensure you read the loperamide patient information leaflet in full and the leaflet that comes contained within the product packaging.