Precautions
Use Imodium 1–2 hours before eating a meal. Imodium should not be taken with food. So, when you’re planning out when to take your daily dosage of Imodium and when to eat, give yourself at least 60 minutes between taking the drug and eating food. For example, if you usually eat dinner at 7:30 pm, take Imodium at 5:30 or 6:30 pm.
How long should I wait to take Imodium?
You should not use Imodium/- Lingual if you have ulcerative colitis, bloody or tarry stools, diarrhea with a high fever, or diarrhea caused by antibiotic medication. How much Imodium/- Lingual take daily? You should not take more than eight tablets (16mg) per day unless instructed otherwise by your doctor. Does Imodium/- Lingual affect the liver?
When not to use Imodium?
You can also use Imodium:
- It makes your stool less watery.
- Reduces fluid secretion in the large intestine
- This increases the intestinal tract’s absorption of electrolytes and fluids.
- It increases muscle tone in the anal sphincter, thereby reducing the chance of a fecal soiling incident.
How well does Imodium work for You?
- Combine it with a stimulant laxative (like dulcolax) and you’ll have normal bowel movements or crampy diarrhea. That’s the standard treatment for opiate-induced constipation.
- Combine it with an osmotic laxative (like milk of magnesia) and you’ll walk around feeling bloated for a while. ...
- Combine it with a bulk-formin
What can I take instead of Imodium?
Should Imodium be taken on an empty stomach?
You can take loperamide with or without food. Capsules and tablets: swallow these whole, with a drink of water.
Does Imodium stop diarrhea immediately?
IMODIUM® can take less than 1 hour to relieve diarrhoea, helping restore the rhythm of your digestive system. IMODIUM® Plus Comfort which contains the additional ingredient simethicone, which helps to alleviate other symptoms that can accompany diarrhoea, including cramps, bloating and wind.
How do you poop after taking Imodium?
If you have constipation with Imodium, stop taking the drug. Constipation may last for a few days after you take Imodium, but it typically goes away on its own. And drinking plenty of water can help ease constipation. However, if you have constipation that doesn't improve after a few days, see your doctor.
How many Imodium can I take?
Two capsules (4 mg) to be taken initially, followed by 1 capsule (2 mg) after every loose stool, or as previously advised by your doctor. The maximum daily dose should not exceed 6 capsules (12 mg). Imodium is contraindicated in children less than 12 years of age.
When is the best time to take Imodium?
It is best to take Loperamide half an hour before a meal. This will help to slow down the gut activity that is stimulated by eating. Most people find that the bowel is most active in the morning and so Imodium will help if taken after breakfast.
When should you not take Imodium?
Don't take Imodium if you have blood in your stools or black stools. These symptoms may be a sign of some other problem in your digestive tract. Make an appointment with a doctor if you have bloody or black stools. Never take Imodium if you have abdominal pain without diarrhea.
What are the side effects of Imodium?
Dizziness, drowsiness, tiredness, or constipation may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, contact your doctor promptly. If your doctor has prescribed this medication, remember that your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects.
Which is better Pepto or Imodium?
The rest of their drug action differs, however. Imodium A-D slows the movement of fluids through your intestine and reduces the frequency and volume of your stools. Pepto-Bismol, on the other hand, reduces inflammation of your intestines and kills bacteria that cause diarrhea.
What medications should not be taken with Imodium?
There may be an interaction between loperamide and any of the following:abiraterone.alcohol.amiodarone.anti-psychotics (e.g., chlorpromazine, clozapine, haloperidol, olanzapine, quetiapine, risperidone)"azole" antifungals (e.g., fluconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole)barbiturates (e.g., phenobarbital, butalbital)More items...
What gets rid of diarrhea fast?
BRAT diet A diet known as BRAT may also quickly relieve diarrhea. BRAT stands for bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast. This diet is effective due to the bland nature of these foods, and the fact that they're starchy, low-fiber foods. These foods have a binding effect in the digestive tract to make stools bulkier.
How long will Imodium last?
How long does Imodium (Loperamide) last? The amount of time Imodium stays in your system depends on multiple factors, such as the dosage, age, weight and how long it is taken. On average, Imodium half-life is approximately 11 hours but can range between 9 and 14 hours.
What drinks help diarrhea?
Adults can use oral rehydration solutions or diluted juices, diluted sports drinks, clear broth, or decaffeinated tea. Sugary, carbonated, caffeinated, or alcoholic drinks can make diarrhea worse, so be sure to dilute sugary beverages if you drink them. Don't eat only bland foods.
Before Taking This Medicine
You should not use Imodium if you are allergic to loperamide, or if you have: 1. stomach pain without diarrhea; 2. diarrhea with a high fever; 3. u...
How Should I Take Imodium?
Use Imodium exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor.Imodium is safe when used as directed. TAKING TOO MUCH LOPERAMIDE CAN...
Imodium Dosing Information
Usual Adult Dose for Diarrhea -- Acute:4 mg orally after the first loose stool, then 2 mg orally after each unformed stoolMaximum dose: 16 mg per d...
What Happens If I Miss A Dose?
Since Imodium is used when needed, it does not have a daily dosing schedule. Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after using this medi...
What Happens If I Overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. An overdose of loperamide can be fatal.Overdose symptoms may inclu...
What Should I Avoid While Taking Imodium?
Avoid drinking tonic water. It can interact with loperamide and may cause serious heart problems.Avoid becoming dehydrated by drinking plenty of fl...
What Other Drugs Will Affect Imodium?
Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medications at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you take. Ask a doctor...
How long does it take for imodium to work?
Drink plenty of liquids while you are taking this medicine. It may take up to 48 hours of taking Imodium A-D before your symptoms improve. Keep using the medication as directed and tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 10 days of treatment.
What is imodium A-D used for?
Imodium A-D is used to treat diarrhea. Imodium A-D is also used to reduce the amount of stool in people who have an ileostomy (re-routing of the bowel through a surgical opening in the stomach).
How to take loperamide?
This medicine doses in children are based on the child's age. Take Imodium A-D with a full glass of water. Diarrhea can cause your body to lose fluids and electrolytes. Drink plenty of liquids to keep from getting dehydrated.
How to take a chewable tablet?
Take the chewable tablet on an empty stomach (1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal) Shake the oral suspension (liquid) before you measure a dose.
How to know if you're overdosed on loperamide?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. An overdose of loperamide can be fatal. Overdose symptoms may include fast or irregular heartbeats, or fainting. A person caring for you should seek emergency medical attention if you pass out and are hard to wake up.
Can you take Loperamide and other medications at the same time?
Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medications at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you take. Ask a doctor or pharmacist about safely using medications together. Loperamide can cause a serious heart problem with high doses.
Does imodium cause hives?
Imodium A-D side effects. Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Imodium A-D ( hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning in your eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash that spreads and causes blistering and peeling).
How long can I take imodium?
Imodium is available as a caplet and a liquid. Both forms are taken by mouth. These forms should be used for no more than two days. However, the caplet is also available in a prescription form that may be used long-term. The prescription-strength form is used to treat diarrhea caused by digestive diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease.
How does imodium work?
The active ingredient in Imodium is the drug loperamide. It works by making the muscles in your intestines contract more slowly. This in turn slows the movement of food and fluids through your digestive tract, which allows the bowel to absorb more fluids and nutrients.
How much imodium should I take for a child?
Don’t take more than 4 mg per day. Children 29-47 pounds (ages 2-5 years): Use Imodium only by the advice of your child’s doctor.
How long does diarrhea last with imodium?
Also call your doctor if your symptoms get worse or your diarrhea lasts longer than two days. A range of OTC medications can help treat diarrhea. The information above can help you decide if Imodium is a good choice for you.
Why can't I take imodium?
This may require treatment with a different medication. Don’t take Imodium if you have blood in your stools or black stools. These symptoms likely mean there is a problem in your stomach or intestines.
Is imodium safe to take?
Imodium is a safe medication for most people. However, it should be used carefully. And in some cases, it should be avoided. The following warnings can help keep you safe.
Does imodium cause constipation?
The interactions can lead to increased levels of either medication in your body. Imodium also interacts with other anti-diarrheal drugs or medications that cause constipation.
How does imodium help with diarrhea?
1 Specifically, Imodium works in the following ways: Increases the absorption of fluids and electrolytes into the intestinal tract. Increases muscle tone in the anal sphincter, thus reducing the chances of a soiling accident.
Can Imodium cause vomiting?
Vomiting. In 2016, the FDA issued a warning regarding the misuse of Imodium. This involves the increased risk of serious heart problems from very high dosages and interactions with other medications. 4 The warning was primarily triggered by people self-treating opioid withdrawal symptoms with high amounts of Imodium.
Is Imodium a toxic megacolon?
The use of antidiarrheal medications such as Imodium places IBD patients at risk for the development of toxic megacolon, a potentially life-threatening disorder. 3 . Toxic Megacolon Is a Rare but Serious Complication of IBD.
Does imodium cause addiction?
Common Side Effects. Imodium tends to be well-tolerated and to cause minimal side effects. This is because it works primarily within the large intestine. Very little of the medication enters the bloodstream and it does not cross the blood-brain barrier, thus there is no risk of addiction.
Is imodium safe for pregnant women?
Except for precautions taken with young children, pregnant women, and those with IBD, Imodium is considered to be a relatively safe, well-tolerated option for dealing with diarrhea. As the medication only acts on the digestive tract, there appears to be little risk associated with long-term or frequent use.
Is loperamide a heart drug?
FDA drug safety communication: FDA warns about serious heart problems with high doses of the antidiarrheal medicine loperamide (Imodium), including from abuse and misuse. Updated January 29, 2018.
Is imodium safe for kids?
Imodium is generally seen as a safe, effective remedy for the treatment of diarrhea in children over the age of 6. 1 However, it is always a good idea to check with your child's doctor before giving them any medication, even if it is available over the counter.
How old is IMODIUM A-D?
Children: In children 2 to 5 years of age (20 kg or less), the non-prescription liquid formulation (IMODIUM® A-D 1 mg/7.5 mL) should be used; for ages 6 to 12, either IMODIUM® Capsules or IMODIUM® A-D Liquid may be used. For children 2 to 12 years of age, the following schedule for capsules or liquid will usually fulfill initial dosage requirements:
How much Imidium should I give my child?
For children 2 to 12 years of age, the following schedule for capsules or liquid will usually fulfill initial dosage requirements: Following the first treatment day, it is recommended that subsequent IMODIUM® doses (1 mg/10 kg body weight) be administered only after a loose stool.
Does Imidium help with diarrhea?
Children: Although IMODIUM® has been studied in a limited number of children with chronic diarrhea; the therapeutic dose for the treatment of chronic diarrhea in a pediatric population has not been established.
Can I give my child imodium?
Children under 2 Years. The use of IMODIUM in children under 2 years is not recommended. There have been rare reports of paralytic ileus associated with abdominal distention. Most of these reports occurred in the setting of acute dysentery, overdose, and with very young children less than two years of age.
How your digestive system works
When your digestive system is in its normal rhythm, food and fluid pass regularly from the stomach into the small intestine. Food is then broken down and nutrients are absorbed along with most of the fluid. The remaining waste and some water pass into the colon (large intestine) where more water is absorbed.
What happens when you get diarrhea?
When the cells in your small intestine or colon are irritated, the typically relaxed and regular movement of your intestines can become overactive. Essential fluids and salts end up being passed through the colon too quickly with less fluid being absorbed by the body. The result is loose or watery stools, commonly known as diarrhea.
How IMODIUM products restore your system
IMODIUM products contain an active ingredient called Loperamide, which works to slow your system to its normal pace. This allows the body to start absorbing fluids and salts as it should, restoring the consistency of stools.
How does Imodium work?
Imodium reduces diarrhea by reducing gut contractions. The active ingredient in Imodium is the drug called loperamide, which binds to opioid receptors in the gut.
How many days in a row can you take Imodium?
Imodium can be taken for a maximum of two days in a row. If your diarrhea doesn’t resolve within 2 days, it might be caused by an infection, food intolerance, or a functional gut disorder like IBS. After taking Imodium for 2 days, you must consult a doctor if your diarrhea doesn’t resolve.
How is Imodium used?
Imodium comes both as a liquid and a tablet, and both forms are taken by mouth. In most cases, Imodium shouldn’t be used for more than 2 days. However, you should be aware that a prescription form of the drug is available, which can be used for longer periods.
Is long-term use of Imodium harmful?
Unless prescribed by a doctor, long term use of Imodium can be harmful. Since IBS is a chronic disease, you may think it’s a good idea to take Imodium every day. It’s not. While Imodium is generally safe for most people, long-term use can lead to significant side effects.
Is it okay to take Imodium for IBS?
Yes, it’s okay to take Imodium for IBS. If you have IBS-D, your doctor might prescribe an over-the-counter antidiarrheal like Imodium. However, studies have shown that while Imodium may treat diarrhea, it’s not good at treating other symptoms associated with IBS.
How to take imodium?
According to the NHS, here are some things to think about when taking Imodium: 1 Start with a small dose. This makes it less likely that the medicine works too well and gives you the opposite issue - constipation. 2 The usual dose is 1-2 mg, but you can take more if needed. Try not to go over 8 mg unless your doctor agrees that it's a good idea. 3 If your Imodium is in tablet form, take 2 tablets immediately. Then you can take one more for each bout of diarrhoea you get thereafter. 4 Diarrhoea can dehydrate you quickly, so remember to drink plenty of water to keep your body hydrated.
How much imodium should I take for diarrhoea?
The usual dose is 1-2 mg, but you can take more if needed. Try not to go over 8 mg unless your doctor agrees that it's a good idea. If your Imodium is in tablet form, take 2 tablets immediately. Then you can take one more for each bout of diarrhoea you get thereafter.
Why do I have diarrhoea when I travel abroad?
Diarrhoea is a very common condition and not usually a cause for concern here in the UK. The most common cause is gastroenteritis. People often suffer diarrhoea when travelling abroad when they are exposed to food they are not used to eating. It can also be the result of stress, allergies, medication or Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).
How long can you take imodium without a doctor?
Do not take Imodium for more than 48 hours without speaking to a doctor, if you initially bought it to treat short-term diarrhoea. Most cases of diarrhoea will improve within a week. Talk to your doctor if your symptoms of diarrhoea haven't improved in 7 days. After this time, it's important to begin to treat the effects of diarrhoea, ...
How long does it take for imodium to work?
Bear in mind however that Imodium will be most effective roughly 16 - 24 hours after you first take it. Depending on the cause of your diarrhoea, it may take 2 to 4 days for your diarrhoea to subside.
What is loperamide capsule?
Some supermarkets and pharmacies sell in-house brands of loperamide capsules, commonly referred to as "anti-diarrhoeal" or "diarrhoea relief" on the label. Some products even contain the term "IBS" to tell that customers that they can be used in diarrhoea resulting from irritable bowl syndrome.
What is the name of the medication that is used to treat sudden diarrhoea?
Also called loperamide, Imodium is the common name for a go-to treatment for diarrhoea, in particular sudden diarrhoea. When the time comes for Imodium , you’ll probably need it to work as quickly as possible. So if you’re wondering how long it takes to feel the benefits, then read on.
