Most people only need to take Imodium for a day or two. Longer-lasting diarrhea or diarrhea that consistently comes and goes might mean you have an underlying medical condition, so you should talk to your doctor.
But if your diarrhea doesn't get better within 2 days of starting Imodium, see your doctor. And don't take Imodium for longer than 48 hours unless directed by your doctor.
If your diarrhoea does not stop in 7 days, talk to your doctor. It is important to understand the causes and to treat any complications, for instance dehydration. If your doctor prescribes loperamide for long-lasting diarrhoea, they will tell you how much to take.
IMODIUM® Multi-Symptom Relief tablets work quickly to relieve diarrhea, while also soothing painful cramps, uncomfortable bloating and gas. It contains an additional ingredient called Simethicone, which helps to ease excess gas in the intestines and relieves bloating and pain due to gas.
Imodium may start to relieve diarrhea in as little as one hour. The antidiarrheal medication works by slowing the movement of food through the digestive system and restoring bulk to the stool. Imodium should relieve diarrhea within 48 hours. If it doesn't, contact your healthcare provider.
To help you cope with your signs and symptoms until the diarrhea goes away, try to do the following: Drink plenty of liquids, including water, broths and juices. Avoid caffeine and alcohol. Add semisolid and low-fiber foods gradually as your bowel movements return to normal.
If diarrhea lasts more than 2 days it may mean you have a more serious problem.
The duration of diarrhea symptoms can provide a clue to the underlying cause. Acute diarrhea lasts from 2 days to 2 weeks. Persistent diarrhea lasts 2 to 4 weeks. Acute and persistent diarrhea are typically caused by a bacterial, viral or parasitic infection of some sort.
Since diarrhea is your body's way of getting rid of toxins, it is best to let it run its course.
Contrasting Imodium vs Pepto it appears Pepto-Bismol is a stronger medication than Loperamide. This explains why it is not allowed to be administered to children below 12 years.
The bottom line. Imodium A-D can interact with clarithromycin, omeprazole, and antidepressants like fluoxetine and citalopram. It can also interact with tonic water and grapefruit or grapefruit juice. These interactions can increase the risk of side effects and serious heart rhythm problems.
Although loperamide (Imodium), another OTC antidiarrheal medication, is sometimes recommended, Ganjhu advises against it. “This is an anti-mobility, meaning that it stops your gastrointestinal tract from moving. Although it can slow down the diarrhea, it's better instead for it to come out," she says.
Acute Diarrhea
Adults: The recommended initial dose is 4mg (two capsules) followed by 2 mg (one capsule) after each unformed stool. Daily dose should not exceed 16mg (eight capsules). Clinical improvement is usually observed within 48 hours.
Response and effectiveness. Some of the effects of loperamide may be apparent within 20 minutes. However, it takes about 2.5 hours (oral solution) or 5 hours (capsules) for loperamide to reach its peak effect.
Drink at least 1 cup (240 milliliters) of liquid every time you have a loose bowel movement. Eat small meals throughout the day, instead of 3 big meals. Eat some salty foods, such as pretzels, soup, and sports drinks. Eat some high potassium foods, such as bananas, potatoes without the skin, and fruit juices.
Acute diarrhoea should be investigated with a stool specimen for routine microbiology investigation under certain circumstances, including if: The person is systemically unwell; needs hospital admission and/or antibiotics. There is blood or pus in the stool. The person is immunocompromised.
The most common cause of diarrhea is the stomach flu (viral gastroenteritis). This mild viral infection most often goes away on its own within a few days. Eating or drinking food or water that contains certain types of bacteria or parasites can also lead to diarrhea. This problem may be called food poisoning.
Ways of managing it include drinking plenty of water, avoiding foods that make it worse, and taking medications to treat diarrhea or an underlying condition.
Causes of diarrhea that are not due to acute illness include eating certain foods, food allergies and intolerances, some medications, caffeine intake, laxative use, alcohol use, digestive problems and diseases (celiac disease, irritable bowel syndrome [IBS], Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, small intestinal ...
You want the position to be as relaxed as possible. If you have diarrhea, sleep in whatever position allows you to get out of bed the fastest. There's not much a sleeping position can do to help diarrhea, so it's best to stick with what feels comfortable and lets you run to the bathroom when the time comes.
Do not give your child medications to stop his diarrhea. Medications like loperamide (Imodium®) or bismuth subsalicyclate (Pepto-Bismol®) can make the illness last longer. The most important thing you can do is make sure your child gets plenty of fluids so they do not get dehydrated.
1 Half teaspoon (2.5ml) Half a milligram It is best to take Loperamide half an hour before a meal. This will help to slow down the usual gut activity that is stimulated by eating. Most people find that the bowel is most active in the morning and so Loperamide will help most if taken before breakfast.