In the article, we will consider analogues and instructions for use for the Imodium tool. The drug belongs to the category of antidiarrheal drugs and is prescribed to patients for the symptomatic treatment of acute digestive disorders.
The composition of the drug and the form of release
According to the instructions for use, Imodium is available in tablet form, as well as in capsules for oral use. Blisters are packaged in 10 tablets, one or two blisters in a cardboard box. Capsules of 6 pieces - in blisters, in cardboard packs.
The main active element of the drug is loperamide hydrochloride - 2 mg in one capsule or tablet. Additional components are gelatin, mannitol, flavor and sodium bicarbonate.
According to the instructions for use, Imodium Plus is also a lozenges, which are also called lingual. Each contains 2 mg of loperamide hydrochloride plus simethicone, which corresponds to 125 mg of polydimethylsiloxane. The difference between Imodium and Imodium Plus is the absence of simethicone in Imodium. Each package contains detailed instructions for use. The price of Imodium is of interest to many.
Pharmacological properties
A medication is a medicine with pronounced antidiarrheal effects. After oral administration of the drug, the therapeutic effect occurs after about 20-30 minutes and lasts up to 7 hours. Under the action of loperamide, the intensity of motility of smooth muscles of the intestine decreases, the release of acetylcholine and prostaglandin increases, as a result of which the duration of movement of feces in the intestine increases. In addition, under the influence of the main active substance of the drug, the tone of the muscles of the sphincter of the anus increases.
Indications for use
As indicated by the instructions for use, Imodium is prescribed to patients for the treatment of diarrhea (chronic and acute, of any etiology), as well as to patients with ileostomy, when the goal is to correct stool.
Contraindications
What else does the instructions for use for Imodium resorption tablets tell us? The medication has a list of the following contraindications:
- Acute poisoning caused by infection with salmonella, Escherichia coli, Shigella, dysentery.
- Bowel obstruction in acute forms, as well as suspicion of it.
- Acute ulcerative colitis.
- Diverticulosis
- Diarrhea caused by prolonged use of antibacterial medications.
- Children under six years old.
- Cases of individual intolerance to the substances of the drug.
- Lactation period.
- The first trimester of pregnancy.
This medication with extreme caution should be prescribed to patients with severe impaired liver function.
Dosage and route of administration
In accordance with the instructions for use, Imodium in the form of capsules and tablets is intended for oral use (oral administration). The tablet should be placed under the tongue and stored in the mouth until it is completely dissolved, however, if necessary, the drug is allowed to drink with water. This medicine in the form of capsules is not recommended to open. The capsule must be swallowed immediately and washed down with a sufficient volume of liquid.
According to the annotation for use, adults and children over 12 years of age are prescribed 2 tablets or capsules once. With persistent loose stool, you should continue to take one tablet (capsule) of the drug after each bowel movement until the diarrhea completely stops. Children from six years of age are prescribed one tablet of the medication once and one after each attack of diarrhea until the condition stabilizes.
So it is said in the instructions for use with Imodium tablets.
Adults for the treatment of chronic forms of diarrhea with a weakened tone of the anal sphincter are prescribed two pieces once a day. If necessary, the dosage can be increased under the supervision of a specialist.
If, after 12 hours from the start of treatment with this medication, diarrhea does not stop, the therapy should be canceled and an urgent medical attention needed.
Use during pregnancy and breastfeeding
According to the instructions for use with Imodium, the use of a medication in the first three months of pregnancy is strictly contraindicated, since at this stage the internal organs of the unborn baby are formed and laid, and the medicinal effect of the drug on the female body can disrupt these processes. In subsequent trimesters, the use of a medication for the treatment of diarrhea is permitted only if the benefit to the woman is higher than the risk to the fetus. Diarrhea therapy is carried out under the strict supervision of a physician.
Since the active substance of this drug can penetrate into breast milk, its use during lactation is also contraindicated. If necessary, drug therapy should determine the issue of termination of breastfeeding.
Side effects
As the instructions for use for Imodium tablets inform us, the drug is well tolerated, however, in some situations, the following adverse reactions may occur:
- From the digestive organs - constipation, increased gas formation, abdominal pain, cramping in the intestines, nausea, vomiting, increased dry mouth, in some cases intestinal obstruction may occur.
- From the side of the central nervous system - excessive fatigue, dizziness, apathy, weakness, drowsiness.
- Allergic manifestations - skin rashes, itching, flushing of the skin, swelling of the mucous membranes.
- In certain cases, symptoms such as tingling of the tongue and urinary retention may develop.
Instructions for use with "Imodium" for adults and children are very detailed.
Overdose symptoms
With the oral administration of large doses of this drug, patients quickly develop manifestations of an overdose, which are expressed by the following symptoms:
- depression of the nervous system - confusion, a change in coordination of movements, apathy, drowsiness, weakness;
- impaired respiratory function;
- miosis;
- development of intestinal obstruction.
In most cases, overdose symptoms are noted in children. Their therapy consists in washing the stomach and taking activated charcoal or other enterosorbents.
If necessary, symptomatic treatment is carried out, in particular, with respiratory depression, mechanical ventilation is performed. The Imodium drug has an antidote, which is naloxone, however, it is effective only in cases when no more than three hours have passed after taking the medicine. The patient should remain under medical supervision for at least two days. This is confirmed by the instructions for use with Imodium tablets.
Drug interaction
There is no data on the medical interaction of this remedy for diarrhea with other drugs. However, if the patient takes any other antidiarrheal agent, this should be reported to a specialist.
special instructions
Instructions for use with Imodium tablets for resorption indicate that if constipation or discomfort in the abdomen occurs, therapy with this medication should be stopped immediately.
It is extremely important to understand that diarrhea can be the result of a certain infectious disease that needs to be treated in a hospital setting, and this drug can only mask the clinical symptoms.
With diarrhea (especially in childhood), dehydration often develops, so symptomatic treatment should be used, which is aimed at replenishing water in the body.
If the presence of blood or purulent mucus is noted in the feces, then treatment with this medicine is strictly prohibited.
Patients with AIDS are advised to closely monitor the work of the intestines, treatment is canceled at the first sign of bloating.
For people with impaired liver function, the drug is prescribed with some caution, and they should be monitored during the treatment period.
To achieve the best effect and maintain the body, the patient should use a large volume of fluid during the treatment period and follow a special diet.
During therapy with this drug, you should avoid driving vehicles and complex mechanisms, since the medication can inhibit the activity of the central nervous system, but this is manifested to a small extent.
Instructions for use with Imodium for resorption, it is important to strictly adhere to.
Analogues of the drug
The following drugs are similar in therapeutic effect with the Imodium drug:
- Loperamide Acry;
- Loperamide
- "Lopedium";
- "Loperamide Stad."
Medications that can quickly stop diarrhea and intestinal cramps include the following:
- "Phthalazole" - a drug that belongs to the group of sulfonamides. This medication is used for diarrhea caused by colitis or enterocolitis, as well as for intestinal disorders of an infectious etiology, including dysentery.
- "Stopdiar" is a medication that is used for diarrhea of a different nature of origin, as well as for intestinal disorders of unknown etiology as concomitant therapy.
The Imodium drug and its analogues can be considered as an ambulance for such intestinal disorders. However, in cases where diarrhea does not stop for more than three days or blood impurities appear in the feces, the temperature has risen, it is urgent to consult a doctor.
Such information contains instructions for use.
The price of Imodium
The average price of this tool is approximately 160-170 rubles. It depends on the region and the pharmacy network.
Use in childhood
Consider the instructions for use for Imodium for children.
This is a very unsafe drug, and it should be given to the child with extreme caution, only on the recommendation of a pediatrician. In some foreign countries, this medicine is approved for use from the age of 12, but in our country this age is 6 years. The dosage of the drug for such children is 2 mg, then in the same dose after each act of defecation. The maximum daily dose for an adult and a child weighing more than 20 kg should not exceed 16 mg. It must be remembered that self-medication is dangerous to health, and before using this medication, you should consult a specialist. Dosages and regimens for acute and chronic forms of diarrhea are different.
We reviewed the instructions for use with Imodium.
Reviews
The drug “Imodium” for fast elimination of loose stools is in great demand and popularity today, and not only among patients suffering from this pathology in a chronic or acute form, but also among doctors who are involved in the treatment of such problems.
Patients note that this drug acts very quickly. In cases of mild diarrhea, a single dose of this medicine was enough, and diarrhea in patients stopped. In more severe cases, for example, with a variety of poisonings and intoxications with chemicals, the use of the drug was effective on the first and second days. At the same time, diarrhea did not stop immediately, but on the second day of the disease, in most patients, loose stools did not occur.
As for the various side effects when using this drug, many noted slight dizziness and weakness, which can also be considered as a concomitant symptom of diarrhea itself, when the body loses a large amount of fluid. In general, the tool was well tolerated.
About the use in childhood, there are also reviews that suggest that the drug is very effective and is tolerated by children normally.