What is Imodium used for?
LOPERAMIDE is used for the treatment of diarrhea.
What should I discuss with my physician prior to taking Imodium?
Please do tell your physician if you have any of the following conditions:
- a black or bloody stool
- bacterial food poisoning
- colitis or mucus in your stool
- currently taking an antibiotic medication for an infection
- fever
- liver diseases
- severe abdominal pain, swelling or bulging
- an unusual or allergic reaction to loperamide, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
- pregnant or trying to get pregnant
- breast-feeding
How is Imodium should be taken?
Take it orally accompanied with a glass of water. Your doses should be taken at the regular intervals. You should never take this medicine more often than prescribed.
Contact your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine by children. Special care might be necessary.
Overdosage: If you suspect an overdosage, get in touch with the nearest poison control center or emergency room immediately.
NOTE: This medicine is only intended for your use. You should never share it with others.
What to do if I missed a dose of Imodium?
This is not applicable. This medicine is not for regular use. Only take this medicine if you continue to have the loose bowel movements. Do not take more medicine than recommended on the packaging label or by your healthcare professional.
What are the possible interactions of Imodium with the other medicine/food/etc?
Do not take this medicine with the following:
- alosetron
It may also trigger possible interactions with the following:
- quinidine
- ritonavir
- saquinavir
This list is not all-inclusive. Provide your health care provider with a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements that you use. Also tell them whether you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some of those items may also interact with your medicine.
Is there anything I should pay attention to while taking Imodium?
Do not take this medicine for more than 1 week without asking your doctor or health care professional. If your symptoms do not start to get better after two days, you may have a problem that needs further evaluation. Check with your doctor or health care professional right away if you develop a fever, severe abdominal pain, swelling or bulging, or if you have have bloody/black diarrhea or stools.
You may experience drowsiness or dizziness symptoms. You shouldn’t drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how exactly this medicine affects you. Do not stand up or sit up quickly, especially if you are a senior patient. This is to reduce the risk of possible dizziness or fainting spells. Alcohol can increase possible drowsiness and dizziness. Refrain from using alcohol at all costs.
You might experience dry mouth symptom. Chewing sugarless gum or sucking a sugar candy, and drinking plenty of water may help. Contact your doctor if the problem does not go away or is severe. Drinking plenty of water can also help to prevent dehydration that can occur with diarrhea.
Senior patients may have a more variable response to the effects of this medicine, and are more susceptible to the effects of dehydration.
Does Imodium have any possible side effects?
The following side effects should be reported to your doctor or health care professional as soon as they are noticed:
- allergic reactions like skin rashes, itching or hives,face, lips, or tongue swelling
- bloated, swollen feeling in your abdomen
- blurred vision
- loss of appetite
- stomach pain
The side effects listed below usually do not necessarily require any medical attention (please do report them to your physician if they are recurrent or bothersome):
- constipation
- drowsiness or dizziness
- dry mouth
- nausea, vomiting
Other side effects are also possible, the above list is not all inclusive.
Where should I keep Imodium?
Keep this medicine out of the children’s reach.
This medicine should be stored at the room temperatures between 15 and 25 degrees C (59 and 77 degrees F). Keep container tightly closed. Dispose of any unused medicine after the expiry date is reached.