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
