Too much loperamide can cause serious heart problems (including a fast or irregular heartbeat).
Yes, OTC anti-diarrhea medications, such as Imodium, Pepto-Bismol, and Kaopectate, can relieve diarrhea in people with IBS. However, these drugs can have side effects and they're meant to be used only short-term. If you have IBS, talk to your doctor about the best medication options to treat your diarrhea.
Imodium carries several risks when taken in excessive quantities, including: Cardiovascular risk: Imodium can cause an irregular heartbeat that can be fatal. Kidney damage risk: Because Imodium slows down the gastrointestinal system, unintended effects like kidney damage can occur when the bladder cannot fully empty.
Take no more than the recommended maximum dose per day. If your symptoms worsen or you have diarrhea that lasts for more than 2 days, contact your healthcare provider. Most people only need to take Imodium for a day or two.
No more than 8 mg (4 tablets) should be taken in any 24-hour period. Children 9 to 11 years of age—The usual dose is 2 mg (1 tablet) after the first loose bowel movement, and 1 mg (½ tablet) after each loose bowel movement after the first dose has been taken.
Don't take more than 6 tablets in any 24-hour period. Read the label for dosing in IBS diarrhoea. Don't take for attacks lasting more than 2 days.
Hepatotoxicity. As with most opiates in current use, therapy with loperamide has not been linked to serum enzyme elevations. There have been no convincing cases of idiosyncratic acute, clinically apparent liver injury attributed to either agent.
The FDA warns that Imodium at higher doses can cause QT interval prolongation, which means it takes longer for your heart to recharge between beats. Cardiac arrest is also a possible result of loperamide abuse, according to the FDA.
Loperamide acts on opioid receptors in the gut to slow the movement in the intestines and decrease the number of bowel movements. It is safe at approved doses, but when much higher than recommended doses are taken, it can lead to serious problems, including severe heart rhythm problems and death.
Imodium dosage for adults and children
You shouldn't use Imodium for more than 2 days in a row. A prescription-strength Imodium caplet is available for long-term use. It's usually prescribed to treat diarrhea caused by a chronic condition, such as inflammatory bowel disease.
Antispasmodics including alverine citrate, mebeverine, otilonium bromide, and pinaverium bromide are used for relieving diarrheal symptoms and abdominal pain. Rifaximin can be effective for chronic diarrhea associated with IBS and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth.
Pepto-Bismol is an OTC medication used to treat diarrhea in people ages 12 and older. Unlike Imodium A-D, it's also used to relieve other symptoms, including heartburn, indigestion, and nausea.
Imodium dosage for adults and children
You shouldn't use Imodium for more than 2 days in a row. A prescription-strength Imodium caplet is available for long-term use. It's usually prescribed to treat diarrhea caused by a chronic condition, such as inflammatory bowel disease.
Diarrhea is a common problem. It may last 1 or 2 days and goes away on its own. If diarrhea lasts more than 2 days it may mean you have a more serious problem.
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. An overdose of loperamide can be fatal. Overdose symptoms may include fast or irregular heartbeats, or fainting. A person caring for you should seek emergency medical attention if you pass out and are hard to wake up.
It's best to treat it early. Although acute diarrhea usually resolves on its own within a few days, you can get relief faster with IMODIUM products. IMODIUM products contain an active ingredient called Loperamide which works to help restore your body's natural rhythm so you can start to feel like yourself again.
Is it safe to take for a long time? If you've bought loperamide for short-term diarrhoea, do not take it for longer than 48 hours without talking to a doctor. Loperamide may be used for long-lasting diarrhoea and by people who have a colostomy (stoma) if their doctor prescribes it.
IMODIUM® slows down the movement (contractions) in your intestine so that you pass firmer stools less often. But usually, the drug doesn't completely stop you from having bowel movements3. Constipation may occur. If so, stop taking IMODIUM® and consult your doctor if constipation is severe.
Keep sipping water and other fluids. Stick to a diet of clear liquids for a day or two until the diarrhea stops. Avoid sugary fruit juices, caffeine, carbonated drinks, dairy products, and food that's greasy, overly sweet, or high in fiber.
Hepatotoxicity. As with most opiates in current use, therapy with loperamide has not been linked to serum enzyme elevations. There have been no convincing cases of idiosyncratic acute, clinically apparent liver injury attributed to either agent.
Loperamide acts on opioid receptors in the gut to slow the movement in the intestines and decrease the number of bowel movements. It is safe at approved doses, but when much higher than recommended doses are taken, it can lead to serious problems, including severe heart rhythm problems and death.
Loperamide (IMODIUM), kaolin-pectin (KAOPECTATE). Bismuth subsalicylate (PEPTO-BISMOL). This product contains salicylic acid that may harm your kidneys. Chlorpheniramine (CHLOR-TRIPOLON) or diphenhydramine (BENADRYL) are safe to use but may make you feel drowsy.
Although common, chronic diarrhea is definitely not normal and is a sign of a problem. When diarrhea occurs frequently for more than two weeks, you might be dealing with a bowel disease. Here are conditions that can cause chronic diarrhea. Ongoing infections from bacteria and parasites.
Certain cancers can cause diarrhea. These include neuroendocrine tumors, colon cancer, lymphoma, medullary thyroid cancer and pancreatic cancer.