As with other drugs, it is not advisable to administer loperamide in pregnancy, especially during the first trimester. Breast-feeding Small amounts of loperamide may appear in human breast milk. Therefore, loperamide is not recommended during breast-feeding.
Full Answer
Which pregnancy category does loperamide fall under?
Under Which Pregnancy Category Does Loperamide Fall? The US FDA has categorized loperamide under the pregnancy C category (3). Medications are usually classified into A, B, C, D, and E based on their safety during pregnancy.
When should loperamide not be used?
Loperamide should not be used when inhibition of peristalsis is to be avoided due to the possible risk of significant sequelae including ileus, megacolon and toxic megacolon. Loperamide must be discontinued promptly when constipation, abdominal distension or ileus develop. Treatment of diarrhoea with loperamide is only symptomatic.
Does loperamide hydrochloride affect fertility?
Only high doses of loperamide hydrochloride affected female fertility in non-clinical studies (see section 5.3). Loss of consciousness, depressed level of consciousness, tiredness, dizziness, or drowsiness may occur when diarrhoea is treated with loperamide.
What is the sodium content of loperamide?
This medicine contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per tablet, that is to say essentially 'sodium-free'. To be used with caution in children or in patients with a low sodium diet. Loperamide must be discontinued promptly when constipation, abdominal distension or ileus develop.
Can you take loperamide while pregnant?
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.
Can you take Imodium while pregnant NHS?
Loperamide in pregnancy Loperamide is not usually recommended in pregnancy. This is because there is not enough information to say whether it is safe or not. If you're pregnant, talk to your doctor before taking loperamide. They'll be able to advise you about the benefits and possible harms of taking it.
What pregnancy category is loperamide?
OTC Antidiarrheal Medications in PregnancyDrug nameFDA pregnancy risk classification by trimester (1st/2nd/3rd)Use in pregnancyLoperamide (Imodium)B/B/BProbably safe*Atropine/diphenoxylate (Lomotil)C/C/CNot recommended (adverse animal studies)2 more rows•Jun 15, 2003
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).
What can I take for diarrhea while pregnant NHS?
DO NOT take any medication to stop diarrhoea in pregnancy, such as Imodium, without speaking to your GP, midwife or pharmacist first. There are many medicines that can be unsafe to take during pregnancy. So it's always best to ask your doctor, midwife, pharmacist or dentist before you take anything.
Is Lomotil safe in pregnancy?
Safety During Pregnancy Lomotil should only be used during pregnancy if clearly needed. Notify the prescribing doctor if you become pregnant while taking Lomotil. It is not known if Lomotil passes into breast milk, but it is theorized that atropine does pass into breast milk.
Is loperamide safe in first trimester?
This drug should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefit outweighs the risk to the fetus.
Is Imodium safe during first trimester?
A doctor may also advise a pregnant patient to avoid Imodium, especially during the first trimester. The first trimester is when a baby is doing all of its major development, and the organs are developing. It's best to avoid all medicines during the first trimester.
What medications are not safe during pregnancy?
What medicines should you avoid during pregnancy?Bismuth subsalicylate (such as Pepto-Bismol).Phenylephrine or pseudoephedrine, which are decongestants. ... Cough and cold medicines that contain guaifenesin. ... Pain medicines like aspirin and ibuprofen (such as Advil and Motrin) and naproxen (such as Aleve).
Is buscopan safe in pregnancy?
Buscopan® is not recommended during pregnancy and breastfeeding. If you are suffering from stomach pain with cramps and are pregnant or breastfeeding, you should consult your doctor.
Is Diatabs safe for 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.
Can Imodium cause miscarriage?
Can taking loperamide in pregnancy cause miscarriage? A very small study of 105 pregnant women taking loperamide showed no link with miscarriage.
Is Imodium safe in first trimester?
A doctor may also advise a pregnant patient to avoid Imodium, especially during the first trimester. The first trimester is when a baby is doing all of its major development, and the organs are developing. It's best to avoid all medicines during the first trimester.
How can I stop diarrhea during pregnancy?
Remedies for diarrhea during pregnancyStay well hydrated. Watery, loose bowel movements remove a lot of fluid from your body. ... Eat bland foods. Try to stick to eating bland foods. ... Certain food groups can make diarrhea worse. ... Consider your medication. ... Add probiotics to your diet. ... Give it time. ... See a doctor.
Is diarrhea normal in early pregnancy NHS?
Being pregnant doesn't cause diarrhoea. But if you pick up a tummy bug while you're pregnant, just like any other time, it can cause diarrhoea. If you have diarrhoea, rest up and drink plenty of water so you don't get dehydrated.
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 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.
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 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.
Summary of Use during Lactation
Use of loperamide during breastfeeding is unlikely to affect the infant.
Drug Levels
Maternal Levels. Loperamide has not been studied during breastfeeding, but the loperamide prodrug, loperamide oxide, has been studied in a dosage of 2 doses of 4 mg given 12 hours apart to 6 women 18 to 47 hours after delivery.
Drug Class
Disclaimer: Information presented in this database is not meant as a substitute for professional judgment. You should consult your healthcare provider for breastfeeding advice related to your particular situation. The U.S.
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.
Can you take over the counter medication while pregnant?
Even widely used over-the-counter medications may not be deemed safe for pregnant women. Unfortunately, pregnancy can cause hormonal and physical changes that leave you needing to treat certain symptoms more than ever before.
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.
Is imodium safe for babies?
While the natural inclination may be to reach for something like Imodium, doctors warn against it. This isn’t just because of the potential risks to the baby. Sometimes diarrhea is the body’s way of eliminating harmful toxins or bacteria.
Can Imodium cause birth defects?
Most doctors believe taking Imodium at a normal dose and infrequently won’t lead to an increased risk of birth defects, but there’s no guarantee. If a pregnant woman took high doses of Imodium for the opioid effects, that could contribute to a risk of birth defects similar to taking opioid pain medicines. Even though Imodium isn’t linked ...
How many trials of loperamide are there?
Of these, 26 trials were in acute diarrhoea (N=2755) and 5 trials were in chronic diarrhoea (N=321).
Is loperamide safe for pregnancy?
Safety in human pregnancy has not been established although from animal studies there are no indications that loperamide possesses any teratogenic or embryotoxic properties. As with other drugs, it is not advisable to administer loperamide in pregnancy, especially during the first trimester.
Is loperamide genotoxic?
Acute and chronic studies on loperamide showed no specific toxicity. Results of in vivo and in vitro studies carried out indicated that loperamide is not genotoxic. In reproduction studies, very high doses (40 mg/kg/day – 240 times the maximum human use level) loperamide impaired fertility and foetal survival in association with maternal toxicity in rats. Lower doses had no effects on maternal or foetal health and did not affect peri- and post-natal development.
Is loperamide a substrate?
Non-clinical data have shown that loperamide is a P-glycoprotein substrate. Concomitant administration of loperamide (16 mg single dose) with quinidine, or ritonavir, which are both P-glycoprotein inhibitors, resulted in a 2 to 3-fold increase in loperamide plasma levels. The clinical relevance of this pharmacokinetic interaction with P-glycoprotein inhibitors, when loperamide is given at recommended dosages, is unknown.
Is loperamide a symptomatic medication?
Treatment of diarrhoea with loperamide is only symptomatic. Whenever an underlying etiology can be determined, specific treatment should be given when appropriate. The priority in acute diarrhoea is the prevention or reversal of fluid and electrolyte depletion. This is particularly important in young children and in frail and elderly patients with acute diarrhoea. Use of loperamide does not preclude the administration of appropriate fluid and electrolyte replacement therapy.