Loperamide

Loperamide

Class:Antidiarrhoeal

Mechanism of action

It acts directly on intestinal muscles to inhibit peristalsis and prolongs transit time enhancing fluid and electrolyte movement through intestinal mucosa;reduces fecal volume,increases viscosity,and diminishes fluid and electrolyte loss;demonstrates antisecretory activity;exhibits peripheral action.

Pharmacokinetics

Loperamide is easily absorbed from the gut,but it is metabolized by the liver.excretion mainly occurs through the feces.

Indication

Symptomatic control of acute and chronic diarroea.inpatient with an ileostomy it can be used to reduce the number and volume of stools and to harden their consistency.

Contraindications

Loperamide capsules are not suited for the treatment of children below 5 years of age.

Precaution

Large first-pass metabolism,use with caution in hepatic dysfunction;it should not be used if diarroea accompanied by high fever,blood in stool.

Side effects

Hypersensitivity reactions such as skin rash and urticaria,anaphylactic shock and bollus eruption,toxic epidermal necrolysis,constipation.

Pregnancy and lactation

Pregnancy risk factor B

Drug interaction

Except for drugs with similar pharmacological properties,no drug interaction have been reported.

Dosage

Adults and children over 5 years of age:acute diarroea:the initial dose is 2 capsules for adult and 1 capsule for children:followed by 1 capsule after every subsequent loose stool.the maximum dose for acute and chronic diarroea is 8 capsule daily for adults;in children it must be related to the body weight<3 capsule/20 kg>

Brands

Cap.Imodium 2 mg,Cap.Emod 2 mg,Cap.Lokit 2 mg