Do not take loperamide during pregnancy unless the doctor prescribes it based on the severity of diarrhe a 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.
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.
Is Loperamide-simethicone safe during pregnancy?
There are no controlled data in human pregnancy. Simethicone has not been formally assigned to a pregnancy category by the FDA. Loperamide-simethicone should only be given during pregnancy if the potential benefits outweigh the risks.
Does loperamide cause heart defects?
Two studies that investigated the chance of heart defects produced mixed findings, with one finding that babies exposed in the womb to loperamide had an increased chance of heart defects compared to babies unexposed to loperamide, and the second finding that they did not.
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 loperamide in pregnancy?
Taking loperamide during pregnancy is not expected to cause any problems that would require extra monitoring of your baby. If you have an underlying illness that causes severe long-term diarrhoea, your doctor may wish to monitor your baby's growth in the womb more closely.
What can I take for diarrhea while pregnant third trimester?
Anti-diarrhea medications containing Loperamide (Imodium, Maalox Anti-Diarrheal, Pepto Diarrhea Control).
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.
When should I worry about diarrhea in my third trimester?
See a doctor about diarrhea in the third trimester if: Diarrhea lasts more than two days. There is blood in the stool. It is accompanied by a fever. You suspect food poisoning such as listeriosis, which can pass through the placenta and put the baby at risk.
Why do I have diarrhea at 37 weeks pregnant?
Diarrhea. When you're 37 weeks pregnant, diarrhea could just be diarrhea or it could mean impending labor. That's because as your hormones change to prep for delivery, they can also stimulate your bowels.
What pregnancy category is Imodium?
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
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.
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.
Can you breastfeed with loperamide?
Breastfeeding is not recommended during use of this drug. Excreted into human milk: Yes (loperamide); No (simethicone) Comments: -Loperamide is excreted into human milk in small amounts. -Simethicone is not orally absorbed. -The American Academy of Pediatrics considers loperamide compatible with breastfeeding. See references.
Is simethicone safe for pregnancy?
Animal studies have failed to reveal evidence of teratogenicity or embryofetal toxicity. There are no controlled data in human pregnancy. This drug is only recommended for use during pregnancy when there are no alternatives and the benefit outweighs the risk, especially during the first trimester.
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.
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.
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 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 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.