Before taking Imodium (loperamide), tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies.
Imodium (loperamide) should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: stomach/abdominal pain without diarrhea, bowel obstruction (e.g., ileus, megacolon, abdominal distention).
Antibiotics may rarely cause a severe intestinal condition (pseudomembranous colitis) due to a type of resistant bacteria. Symptoms include: persistent diarrhea, abdominal or stomach pain/cramping, or blood/mucus in your stool. This condition may occur weeks after antibiotic treatment has stopped. Imodium (loperamide) may make this condition worse. Do not use this anti-diarrhea product, especially after recent antibiotic use, if you have the above symptoms without talking with your doctor first.
Imodium (loperamide) should not be used without seeing your doctor first if you have certain medical conditions. These symptoms/conditions may require other treatment before you can use Imodium (loperamide) safely. Before using Imodium (loperamide), tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: black/tarry stool, blood/mucus in your stool, high fever, HIV infection/AIDS, liver problems, certain stomach/intestinal infections (e.g., Salmonella, Shigella), certain type of bowel disease (acute ulcerative colitis).
Imodium (loperamide) may make you dizzy or drowsy. Use caution while driving, using machinery, or doing any activity that requires alertness. Avoid alcoholic beverages.
Caution is advised when using Imodium (loperamide) in children because they may be more sensitive to the effects of the drug, especially the drowsiness effect. Children are at higher risk for dehydration. (See also Uses, How to Use sections.)
During pregnancy, Imodium (loperamide) should be used only if clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.
Imodium (loperamide) may pass into breast milk and could have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Therefore, breast-feeding is not recommended while using Imodium (loperamide). Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The preceding information is intended to heighten awareness of health information and does not suggest diagnosis or treatment. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.
Refer to storage information printed on the package. Store at room temperature between 59-77 degrees F (15-25 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.
Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The preceding information is intended to heighten awareness of health information and does not suggest diagnosis or treatment. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.
If you are using the over-the-counter product to self-treat, read all the directions on the product package before taking Imodium (loperamide). If your doctor has prescribed Imodium (loperamide), follow your doctor's directions and the directions on your prescription label. If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Take Imodium (loperamide) by mouth, usually after each loose stool, or as directed by your doctor. Dosage of Imodium (loperamide) is based on your condition and response to therapy. In children, dosage is also based on age and weight. Adults should not use more than 8 milligrams in 24 hours if self-treating, or 16 milligrams if under a doctor's direction.
Diarrhea can cause a serious loss of body water (dehydration). Drink plenty of fluids and minerals (electrolytes) to replace what is lost. Tell your doctor immediately if you develop signs of dehydration (e.g., extreme thirst, decreased urination, muscle cramps, weakness, fainting). You may also need to change to a bland diet during this time to reduce irritation to your stomach/intestines. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Tell your doctor if your diarrhea does not improve after 2 days, if your condition worsens, or if you develop new symptoms. If you develop blood in the stool, fever, or an uncomfortable fullness/swelling of the stomach/abdomen, or if you think you may have a serious medical problem, seek immediate medical attention.
If you are taking Imodium (loperamide) under your doctor's direction for ongoing diarrhea, tell your doctor if your diarrhea continues after 10 days of treatment.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The preceding information is intended to heighten awareness of health information and does not suggest diagnosis or treatment. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.
Dizziness, drowsiness, tiredness, or constipation may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, contact your doctor promptly.
If your doctor has prescribed Imodium (loperamide), remember that he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using Imodium (loperamide) do not have serious side effects.
Stop taking Imodium (loperamide) and seek immediate medical attention if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: severe constipation/nausea/vomiting, stomach/abdominal pain, uncomfortable fullness of the stomach/abdomen.
A very serious allergic reaction to Imodium (loperamide) is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing.
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Click HERE to learn more about Imodium side effects.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The preceding information is intended to heighten awareness of health information and does not suggest diagnosis or treatment. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.
If you are taking Imodium (loperamide) on a regular schedule (not "as needed") and you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The preceding information is intended to heighten awareness of health information and does not suggest diagnosis or treatment. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.
If you are taking Imodium (loperamide) under your doctor's direction, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.
Imodium (loperamide) should not be used with the following medication because a very serious interaction may occur: pramlintide.
If you are currently using the medication listed above, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting Imodium (loperamide).
Before using Imodium (loperamide), tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: recent/current antibiotic use, drugs that can cause constipation (e.g., anticholinergics such as belladonna/scopolamine/benztropine, antispasmodics such as glycopyrrolate/oxybutynin, potent narcotic pain medicines such as morphine, certain antihistamines such as diphenhydramine, tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline), cholestyramine, quinidine, ritonavir, saquinavir.
This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The preceding information is intended to heighten awareness of health information and does not suggest diagnosis or treatment. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.