Imodium (loperamide) Coupons, Discounts & Cost
Imodium (loperamide) is an antidiarrheal medication. One way to save money on the Imodium (loperamide) retail cost regardless of income and insurance status is to use Imodium coupons or discount cards from RXCoupons. Use our Loperamide coupons at your online pharmacy and receive up to 75% off the sale price each time you refill your prescription.
Imodium (loperamide) mechanism of action and indications for use
Imodium (loperamide) is an antidiarrheal medication. It is prescribed for the treatment of acute and chronic diarrhea, as well as for patients with ileostomy.
Loperamide inhibits acetylcholine release, thereby reducing motility and improving the tone of the anal sphincter. The drug reduces mucus hypersecretion in the colon. It helps reduce bowel incontinence and stop the urge to defecate.
Imodium is effective in acute infectious diarrhea, as well as infectious diarrhea of light and medium severity. It is also prescribed for the treatment of diarrhea in travelers. The drug works for 4-6 hours.
When you should not use Imodium (loperamide)?
Imodium is contraindicated in patients with pseudomembranous enterocolitis (diarrhea associated with antibiotic agents), acute ulcerative colitis, acute dysentery and other infections of the gastrointestinal tract (caused by Shigella spp., Salmonella spp., Campylobacter spp.), diverticulosis. Imodium is not used in the first trimester of pregnancy, during breastfeeding (lactation), in children up to 6 years, as well as in case of hypersensitivity to the drug.
Imodium should be used with caution in patients with hepatic insufficiency, during the II-III trimesters of pregnancy (the drug can be taken only when the benefits to the mother’s health are higher than the potential risk to the fetus).
How to use Imodium (loperamide)?
The initial dose in the treatment of acute diarrhea for adults and elderly patients is 4 mg; for children from 6 years - 2 mg. Later, the drug should be taken at a dose of 2 mg after each act of defecation (in all age groups of patients).
The initial dose is the same in chronic diarrhea. The dose must be adjusted to 2-12 mg daily. The maximum daily dose in the treatment of acute and chronic diarrhea: adults - 16 mg; children - 3 mg per 10 kg body weight (no more than 16 mg). Imodium therapy should be discontinued in the absence of diarrhea (within 12 hours).
Information about Imodium (loperamide) side effects
The following side effects may occur: Central and peripheral nervous system: drowsiness, fatigue, dizziness. Digestive system: dry mouth, bloating or constipation, intestinal colic, discomfort or pain in the abdomen, vomiting, nausea; very rarely - intestinal obstruction. Allergic reactions: skin rash. Other reactions: rarely - urinary retention.
Imodium (loperamide) overdose
Symptoms: CNS depression (incoordination, drowsiness, cramps, increased muscle tone, respiratory depression, intestinal obstruction). Children are more sensitive to the effects of the drug. Overdose treatment: gastric lavage, activated carbon (not later than 3 hours after taking Imodium), symptomatic therapy.
Imodium (loperamide) features
Imodium should be stopped immediately in case of constipation or bloating. Some reactions may result in hypovolemia (especially in children).
The therapy should be discontinued in acute diarrhea (if there is no improvement within 48 hours).
Do not take Imodium for diarrhea accompanied by blood and high fever. AIDS patients need to discontinue the therapy immediately at the first signs of bloating. In some cases (in AIDS patients with infectious colitis of bacterial and viral nature) Imodium therapy may lead to an abnormal dilation of the colon.
Patients with impaired hepatic function have to be monitored carefully for early detection of the symptoms of toxic damage.
It is recommended to follow a diet and drink enough water during the treatment.
Please note that it is recommended to refrain from driving during the whole period of treatment.
Imodium (loperamide) conditions of storage
Store in a dry place inaccessible to children, at a temperature of 15-30° C.