Young children, especially preschoolers and primary schoolchildren, are most prone to intestinal upsets and food poisoning. Problems begin when the child is allowed to walk outside. An inquisitive kid drags everything into his mouth, even if it is dirty objects, toys lying on the ground, or tries to touch everything, and then pulls his hands into his mouth. Gastrointestinal disorders in such cases are not uncommon, and then the drug "Loperamide" can be prescribed to the child. For children, this drug can be used after reaching the age of six.
Means "Loperamide" - what is it?
The drug "Loperamide" is an antidiarrheal agent that helps to reduce motility in the intestine, while increasing the tone of the anal sphincter, due to which a fixing effect appears. Desires for emptying and incontinence are reduced, and body fluid loss is reduced. The action of the drug occurs almost immediately, and its duration is from four to six hours. The drug "Loperamide" for children under six years of age can be prescribed only under the strictest supervision of the attending physician, because the side effect of the drug can cause very serious harm to the health of the child.
Dosage of the drug "Loperamide"
If diarrhea is acute, then adults are prescribed a medicine, first 4 mg, and then 2 mg after each emptying. The maximum dose in this case is 16 mg. The drug "Loperamide" for children after eight years of age with acute diarrhea is also prescribed 4 mg, gradually reducing the dose to 2 mg after each bowel movement. The maximum amount of the drug is 8 mg per day. In case of chronic diarrhea, children over five years of age can take medicine up to 4 mg per day. When the stool normalizes or is absent, then the medication is finished.
Contraindications and side effects
Hypersensitivity to the drug is one of the contraindications for its administration. Also, the medication should not be used if there are diseases and disorders such as bloating, constipation, intestinal obstruction, dysentery, especially if it is accompanied by temperature and blood in the stool.
For people suffering from acute ulcerative colitis, this tool is also not recommended. The medicine “Loperamide” for children under two years of age is prohibited in the form of tablets, if the medicine is in the form of capsules, then it is contraindicated until the age of six. As for the side effects of the drug, it is usually observed only with prolonged use. Among the side effects of the medication, headache,
dry mouth, rash on the skin can be noted. Less common is drowsiness,
nausea, vomiting, dizziness.Conclusion
Of course, this is not a complete description of the drug "Loperamide", it is presented only as an introductory information. If you have any questions you need to see a doctor, he will not only answer all the questions of interest to the patient, but also, if necessary, prescribe tests and a course of treatment. And, of course, when starting treatment with any drug, you first need to familiarize yourself with its instructions.