Loperamide, the active ingredient in the brand-name drug Imodium, is used to treat acute diarrhea and sometimes chronic diarrhea, and is considered safe for pregnant women. You can buy it at a pharmacy or drug store. Pepto Bismol and Kaopectate, on the other hand, aren't recommended during pregnancy.
Full Answer
Is loperamide safe to take during pregnancy?
Loperamide Pregnancy Warnings. Animal studies at up to 40 mg/kg/day have revealed no fetal harm; studies at 40 mg/kg/day (21 times the human dose) showed marked impairment of fertility in one animal model. There are no controlled data in human pregnancy.
How do you take loperamide for diarrhea?
If you have chronic diarrhea, take 2 capsules initially followed by 1 capsule after each bowel movement. Then reduce loperamide dose to meet individual requirements, or as recommended by your doctor. Maximum dose is 16mg or 8 capsules a day. Discontinue if there is no improvement after 2 days.
How much loperamide can you take in a day?
Maximum dose is 16 mg (8 capsules) per day. Adult dose: Take 2 capsules initially followed by 1 capsule after each loose bowel movement. Then reduce loperamide dose to meet individual requirements. When the optimal daily dosage has been established, administer this amount as a single dose or in divided doses.
Why would a doctor prescribe loperamide?
Loperamide may also be prescribed to treat long-term diarrhoea due, for example, to irritable bowel syndrome, or to help digestion in people who have had part of their intestine removed. Is it safe to take loperamide in pregnancy?
Can I take Diatabs while pregnant?
Can pregnant women and/or breastfeeding mothers take Diatabs®? Diatabs® is not advisable to be taken by those who are pregnant, or those who are breastfeeding.
What diarrhea medicine is safe during pregnancy?
The most recommended antidiarrheal for pregnant women is a kaolin-and-pectin-type medication (Kaopectate). Avoid antidiarrheals that contain bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol) or atropine/diphenoxylate (Lomotil).
Can diarrhea affect the baby during pregnancy?
Although it doesn't cause miscarriage, diarrhea can affect a pregnancy. An occasional loose stool can be normal, but if you have any of the following, call your doctor: Diarrhea for more than 3 days. Fever of 100.4 F or higher.
Can diarrhea cause miscarriage?
However, diarrhea is sometimes indicative of food poisoning like salmonella, toxoplasmosis or listeriosis, all of which are associated with an increased risk of miscarriage. If diarrhea is suspected to relate to food poisoning or an infection, seek medical attention promptly to reduce the risk of miscarriage.
Why does loperamide cause diarrhea?
Know more about the causes of diarrhea during pregnancy here. Loperamide acts by slowing the intestinal mobility, reducing the water and electrolyte movement, and thus increasing the transit time of stool in the intestine.
What is the classification of loperamide?
Medications are usually classified into A, B, C, D, and E based on their safety during pregnancy. Categorization under the C class means that the drug has been tested only on animals and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in humans.
What is Imodium used for?
The medication is used to treat short bouts of diarrhea, and could also be prescribed to treat IBS. It is available under different brand names – Imodium, Imodium Advanced, Pepto Diarrhea Control, Diocalm Ultra, Diar-aid, K-Pek II, Imotil, Vaprino, Entrocalm Loperamide, and more (2). Diarrhea is a condition of loose and watery stools ...
What are the side effects of imodium?
Here are a few of the possible side-effects (5): Abdominal cramping, constipation, nausea, and vomiting.
Is loperamide safe during pregnancy?
Loperamide (Imodium) is used to treat irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and acute diarrhea (1), and to regulate bowel activity after intestinal surgery. In this post, MomJunction tells you if consumption of loperamide is safe during pregnancy, the possible side effects, and more.
Can loperamide cause miscarriage?
There is also no solid scientific affirmation that women taking loperamide are likely to have preterm labor, miscarriage, or a low birth weight baby.
Can you take loperamide while pregnant?
Do not take loperamide during pregnancy unless the doctor prescribes it based on the severity of diarrhea and the stage of gestation. And the doctor prescribes the drug only if the potential benefits outweigh the risks. You should not self-medicate during pregnancy.
What is it?
Loperamide (Imodium®, Norimode®, Diah-limit®, Diocalm ultra®, Normaloe®, Diaquitte®, Diasorb®, Entrocalm loperamide®) is a medicine usually used to treat short episodes of diarrhoea.
Is it safe to take loperamide in pregnancy?
At present, there is information on only around 750 babies of women who were treated with loperamide during pregnancy (see below). More pregnancies need to be studied to be able to say whether or not use of loperamide in pregnancy is safe.
What if I have already taken loperamide during pregnancy?
If you have taken any medicines it is always a good idea to let your doctor know that you are pregnant so that you can decide together whether you still need the medicines that you are on and to make sure that you are taking the lowest dose that works.
Can taking loperamide in pregnancy cause birth defects in my baby?
A baby’s body and most internal organs are formed during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. It is mainly during this time that some medicines are known to cause birth defects. There is mixed scientific evidence about whether taking loperamide during the first trimester of pregnancy may increase the chance of having a baby with a birth defect.
Can taking loperamide in pregnancy cause miscarriage?
A very small study of 105 pregnant women taking loperamide showed no link with miscarriage. This result requires confirmation in much larger studies.
Can taking loperamide in pregnancy cause preterm birth, or my baby to be small at birth (low birth weight)?
Two studies of a total of around 750 pregnant women taking loperamide did not show that they had a higher chance of having a pre term birth (before 37 weeks), or a low birth weight baby (weighing less than 2,500g at birth). However, information from larger numbers of women is required before firm conclusions can be drawn.
Can taking loperamide in pregnancy cause stillbirth?
No studies have investigated the chance of stillbirth following use of loperamide in pregnancy.
What are the side effects of loperamide?
Loperamide is a medication that can have some side effects and risks, these are because your body isn’t used to the medication yet. This should naturally correct itself once your body adapts to the medication. It is always a good idea to talk to your doctor about the pill before taking it. Some of the side effects are: 1 You may have dry mouth initially. 2 Nausea can be common with this medicine. 3 In some cases, you may feel dizzy. 4 You may experience some extra fatigue. 5 In case of an allergic reaction, you may see a rash on your skin. 6 In rare cases, your intestines may swell. 7 You may experience bouts of constipation.
Can a pill cause premature birth?
Although there is no direct link between the pill and preterm birth, constipation and fevers are side effects of this drug and are also known causes for premature deliveries. Do not panic, however. If a doctor prescribes this remedy, chances are they have tested, and you can be assured it won’t be a risk for you or your baby.
Is loperamide safe for pregnancy?
It is important to remember to avoid any risk of danger to you, your partner or your baby, that some precautions are taken before you consume loperamide, also known as Imodium, during pregnancy.
What is the best medicine for diarrhoea?
If these tips don’t work, a doctor may advise an anti-diarrhea medicine such as Imodium. Imodium can be a better option than something like Pepto-Bismol. Pepto-Bismol has been linked to birth defects in animal studies. Pepto-Bismol also contains salicylate, which can cause bleeding in the mother and the baby.
Why do I have diarrhea during pregnancy?
Diarrhea during pregnancy can be caused by changes in hormones and diet, as well as anxiety. Diarrhea tends to be more common in the third trimester, often because the body is starting to prepare for labor and delivery. While the natural inclination may be to reach for something like Imodium, doctors warn against it.
How to stop diarrhea from worsening?
Avoiding certain foods can be a good way to prevent diarrhea or keep it from worsening. Foods that tend to make diarrhea worse include spicy foods, foods high in fiber, high-fat and fried foods, and milk and dairy. Having probiotic yogurts or drinks can help restore the digestive system back to a sense of normalcy.
What is the active ingredient in imodium?
The active ingredient in Imodium is called loperamide. L operamide is intended to decrease the frequency and severity of diarrhea. Imodium works by slowing the movement of the intestines, so it’s also recommended for the treatment of specific conditions like gastroenteritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and short bowel syndrome.
Is imodium over the counter?
It’s on the World Health Organization’s List of Essential Medicines. While Imodium is available over-the-counter, there has been some controversy surrounding its use. Loperamide is technically an opioid, like narcotic pain medications.
Is it safe to take imodium while pregnant?
It may be okay to occasionally take Imodium as instructed during pregnancy, but there’s no evidence showing it’s safe. Imodium is a category C drug. The FDA categorizes prescription and over-the-counter medicines to indicate how safe or risky they’re believed to be during pregnancy. A category c drug is somewhere in the middle and is part ...
Is loperamide a narcotic?
Loperamide is technically an opioid, like narcotic pain medications. At normal, therapeutically recommended doses, loperamide can’t cross the blood-brain barrier, so it doesn’t have the psychoactive effects of other opioids. At high doses, it can cross into the brain and cause a sense of euphoria and other effects similar to opioids.
Usual Adult Dose for Diarrhea - Acute
4 mg orally after the first loose stool, then 2 mg orally after each unformed stool Maximum dose: 16 mg per day Comments: -Clinical improvement is usually seen within 48 hours. Use (s): Control and symptomatic relief of acute nonspecific diarrhea
Usual Adult Dose for Diarrhea - Chronic
4 mg orally after the first loose stool, then 2 mg orally after each unformed stool until diarrhea is controlled Maximum dose: 16 mg per day Comments: -Clinical improvement is usually seen within 48 hours. -After diarrhea is controlled, reduce dose to meet individual requirements -When optimal daily dose has been established, this dose may be given as a single dose or in divided doses. -The average maintenance dose in clinical trials was 4 to 8 mg daily. -If no clinical improvement is seen with 16 mg per day after at least 10 days, symptoms are unlikely to be controlled by further administration. -Administration may be continued if diarrhea cannot be adequately controlled with diet or specific treatment. Use (s): Control and symptomatic relief of chronic diarrhea associated with inflammatory bowel disease..
Usual Pediatric Dose for Diarrhea - Acute
2 to 5 years (13 to 20 kg): First day dosage schedule: 1 mg orally 3 times a day (3 mg total daily dose) Subsequent daily dosage: 1 mg only after a loose stool, not to exceed 3 mg/day 6 to 8 years (20 to 30 kg): First day dosage schedule: 2 mg orally twice a day 2 (4 mg total daily dose) Subsequent daily dosage: 2 mg only after a loose stool, not to exceed 4 mg/day 9 to 12 years (over 30 kg): First day dosage schedule: 2 mg orally 3 times a day (6 mg total daily dose) Subsequent daily dosage: 2 mg only after a loose stool, not to exceed 6 mg/day 13 years and older: 4 mg orally after the first loose stool, then 2 mg orally after each unformed stool Maximum dose: 16 mg per day Comments: -Do not use in patients less than 2 years old due to the risks of respiratory depression and serious cardiac adverse reactions. -Clinical improvement is usually seen within 48 hours. Use (s): Control and symptomatic relief of acute nonspecific diarrhea.
Liver Dose Adjustments
Use with caution. -Systemic exposure may be increased due to reduced metabolism.
Precautions
US BOXED WARNING (S): -Cases of Torsades de Pointes, cardiac arrest, and death have been reported with use of higher than recommended doses. -Contraindicated in pediatric patients less than 2 years of age. -Avoid doses higher than recommended due to the risk of serious cardiac adverse reactions. Safety and efficacy have not been established in patients younger than 2 years. Consult WARNINGS section for additional precautions..
Other Comments
Administration advice: -Avoid doses higher than recommended due to the risk of serious cardiac reactions. -Use the non-prescription liquid formulation for patients 2 to 5 years old. -For patients 6 years and older, either the liquid formulation or tablets/capsules may be used. General: -Patients should receive fluid and electrolyte replacement as needed..
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
What to do if you have diarrhea?
If you have diarrhea (loose stools three or more times in one day), be sure to drink plenty of fluids to replace those you are losing. But avoid drinking dairy products, soda, and juices, which may make the diarrhea worse.
Is it safe to take anti-diarrhea pills while pregnant?
There's not enough data to completely rule out risk for most drugs in pregnancy (for safety reasons, few studies test drugs in human pregnancies), but I would rate anti-diarrhea drugs as low-risk. It's always a good idea to call your doctor before taking any over-the-counter medicine, to make sure it's safe for you and your baby.
Can you get dehydrated and put your baby at risk?
If you get really dehydrated, your blood won't be able to circulate as well to your organs or your placenta, and you'll need to be hospitalized and given intravenous fluids.
How many loperamide capsules should I take a day?
Then reduce loperamide dose to meet individual requirements, or as recommended by your doctor. Maximum dose is 16mg or 8 capsules a day.
What is Diatabs used for?
Diatabs ® is used for the control of acute non-specific diarrhea and/or chronic diarrhea associated with inflammatory bowel disease.
Dosing
The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
Storage
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.