The composition of "Loperamide" (capsules) includes an active substance called loperamide hydrochloride. The drug is included in the clinical and pharmacological group of potent diarrhea drugs. Against the background of taking the capsules, intestinal motility decreases, peristalsis is suppressed and the time of passage of feces increases. The medicine strengthens the tone of the sphincter, which refers to the anus. The drug retains its activity in the body for about 6 hours.
The active substance breaks down into metabolites, the main amount of which is excreted through the intestine, a small part through the kidneys.
The drug "Loperamide", indications for use
The doctor prescribes a medicine:
- with diarrhea in acute or chronic form, including arising against the background of allergies, emotional overstrain, medication or radiation therapy;
- when changing the diet, including the regime of eating;
- in violation of metabolic processes in the body;
- in complex treatment for acute infectious diseases of the digestive system;
- patients with ileostomy for stool regulation.
The dosage regimen is determined by the doctor
The drug "Loperamide", the instructions indicate that adults are prescribed for the treatment of acute diarrhea, the first dose is 2 capsules - 4 mg of the active substance. Then each time after the act of defecation, if there is loose stool, they drink another 1 capsule - 2 mg of the active substance.
The treatment of chronic diarrhea is characterized in that the first dose is prescribed in the amount of 2 mg of the drug, it is 1 capsule, the further maintenance dose is selected taking into account the fact that the frequency of stool should be from 1 to 2 times a day. The number of prescribed capsules ranges from 1 to 6 pieces per day.
Do not exceed the use of the maximum permissible dose of loperamide hydrochloride in adults - 16 mg.
The drug "Loperamide", the instruction warns, is prescribed for children who have reached 4 years of age.
Children under 9 years of age (4-8 years) are prescribed 1 mg of the active substance 3 to 4 times a day with a 3-day treatment course.
Children who have reached the age of 12 (9-12 years) are prescribed 1 capsule 4 times a day with a 5-day course of treatment.
Side effects after taking Loperamide are occasionally possible. The instruction contains data on possible disorders in the digestive system, which are manifested by abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, constipation, and dry mouth.
Instruction manual contains data on possible disorders in the nervous system, which are manifested by increased fatigue, drowsiness, dizziness.
An allergic reaction is indicated by a skin rash.
There are a number of contraindications to the use of the drug "Loperamide". The instruction warns that you can not prescribe this pharmaceutical product:
- with bowel obstruction;
- with constipation, bloating, subileus;
- in acute dysentery as monotherapy;
- with acute colitis complicated by ulcerative processes;
- with colitis of the pseudomembranous type that arose against the background of uncontrolled intake of antibiotic drugs;
- for children under the age of 4;
- women in the first trimester of pregnancy;
- with individual hypersensitivity to the components of the drug.
According to clinical studies, a certain amount of the active ingredient of the drug in breast milk was found, therefore, women who are breast-feeding children are advised to refuse to use this medicine.
When prescribing capsules to patients with identified abnormalities in the liver, caution should be exercised and monitor the patient's condition. It is not recommended to prescribe the drug "Loperamide" in order to inhibit intestinal motility. After using the drug for 2 days, a positive effect should be observed, otherwise the diagnosis needs to be reviewed to exclude the presence of a pathogenic infection in the body that provokes intestinal dysfunction.