Loperamide medicine : Indication, Dosage, Side-effect

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In this blog, we learn about Loperamide medicine which is use to decrease frequency of diarrhoea. It is available in market under brand names like lopox, lmodium, etc.

loperamide medicine
loperamide structure

It is not recommended for those who have  blood in the stool, mucus in the stool, or fever. It is available in oral tablet form.

Loperamide was first made in 1969 and used medically in 1976. Loperamide is most essential medicine in list of World Health Organization. It is available as a generic medication.

We learn this topic in below format

INDICATION

  • Nonspecific diarrhoea
  • Mild traveller’s diarrhoea
  • Chronic diarrhoea due to bowel resection
  • Chronic diarrhoea secondary to inflammatory bowel disease
  • Food poisoning due to salmonella
  • To reduce fluid loss after colostomy or ileostomy

CONTRAINDICATION 

It is more important than indication. Because we must understand that in what condition we must not give to patient.

  • Acute infective diarrhoea
  • Ulcerative colitis
  • Irritable bowel syndrome
  • Acute pseudomembranous colitis
  • Hepatic dysfunction

DOSAGE

Acute diarrhoea
Initially 4mg than 2mg after each loose motion (maximum 16mg)

Chronic diarrhoea
4 to 8 mg per day

Patient should take enough fluid, sugar & salt 

Effect of loperamide starts within 1-2 hrs after taking it & effect last for 6-18 hrs.

SIDE-EFFECT

Each & every molecule which have effect also have side-effect. But, it not occurs to everyone. It occurs to only who have sensitivity to particular molecule.

If adverse effect occurs, that may be one of below

  • Dry mouth, constipation
  • Abdominal pain
  • Bloating of abdomen, abdominal distension
  • Rashes, itching
  • Intestinal stasis
  • Drowsiness, dizziness
  • Toxic megacolon

SPECIAL PRECAUTION 

  • Use cautiously in liver & kidney disease
  • After abdominal surgery
  • Inflammatory bowel disease
  • Severe Ulcerative colitis
  • Crohn’s disease

MECHANISM OF ACTION

It has opiate like activity on small intestines and colon with mild secretory activity.

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