What is Loperamide Hydrochloride? You will find a comprehensive answer to the question in the materials of the presented article. In addition, we will tell you in detail about how to take this medication, in what cases and at what dosage.
general information
The drug “Loperamide hydrochloride” is a symptomatic drug that is often used to treat acute and chronic diarrhea. Such a medicine is dispensed without a doctor’s prescription and is sold in almost every pharmacy at a very reasonable price.
pharmachologic effect
The drug “Loperamide hydrochloride”, the instruction for which is enclosed in a cardboard package, reduces the motility and tone of the smooth muscles of the intestine, and also inhibits the peristalsis of this organ, significantly increasing the transit time of its contents. Thus, the medication presented has an antidiarrheal effect. It should be noted that the drug "Loperamide hydrochloride" begins to act very quickly. After taking this drug inside, the therapeutic effect lasts about 4-6 hours.
Pharmacokinetics
Such a medication is absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract rather poorly (about 40%). Due to the high similarity with the receptors of the intestinal wall, as well as a high degree of biological transformation, at the first passage through the liver, the plasma level of the unchanged component after taking 2 mg of the drug (1 capsule) is less than 2 ng / ml. The maximum concentration of the active substance after using the solution is achieved after about 2.5 hours, and after capsules after 5 hours. Plasma protein binding occurs in 97%. This drug is metabolized in the liver, and is partially excreted in the urine, in the form of conjugates with bile, and also with feces.
The form of release of the drug and its composition
The drug "Loperamide hydrochloride", the use of which is described below, goes on sale in the form of:
- Powder substance for solution preparation.
- 2 mg tablets, which are placed in a cardboard box of 50, 30, 20 or 10 pieces.
- Capsules of 2 mg, placed in a package of 30, 20 or 10 pieces.
- Yellow gelatin hard capsules that contain a white powder with the active ingredient - loperamide hydrochloride. Each capsule contains 2 mg of active substance. In addition, the presented drug also contains auxiliary components: talc, corn starch, lactose, magnesium stearate and colloidal silicon dioxide. Gelatin capsules go on sale in cardboard packaging of 20 or 10 pieces.
Where else is the active component of loperamide hydrochloride contained? The use of this substance in pharmacology allows the production of such drugs as Imodium and Diara. However, its percentage ratio in these drugs is much less than in the above medication.
The drug "Loperamide hydrochloride": what is it for?
According to the instructions, this drug must be taken in the following cases:
- To normalize stool with ileostomy.
- With impaired metabolism and intestinal absorption, which are caused by a sharp and dramatic change in diet or the usual composition of food (for example, during a diet, on a trip).
- As an adjunct in infectious diarrhea.
- As symptomatic therapy for acute or chronic diarrhea (allergic, radiation, drug or emotional origin).
Contraindications to the use of the medication
In what cases can not be used the drug "Loperamide" (tablets)? The instruction for this medication states that it is not recommended for use with:
- intestinal obstruction;
- diarrhea that arose due to dysentery, acute pseudomembranous enterocolitis or other infections of the digestive tract;
- diverticulosis;
- acute ulcerative colitis;
- hypersensitivity.
It should also be noted that such antidiarrheal drugs for children should be prescribed only from 4 years old. In addition, according to the instructions, Loperamide is contraindicated in the 1st trimester of pregnancy and during lactation. With extreme caution, this drug is prescribed for liver failure.
The drug "Loperamide hydrochloride": instructions for use
Tablets and capsules of this drug must be taken orally without chewing. The dosage of such a drug depends on the severity of the disease and the age of the patient.
With acute diarrhea, adults are prescribed 4 mg of the drug as the first dose, and then 2 mg after each bowel movement (if the stool is still loose).
In chronic diarrhea, the first dosage should be 2 mg. Supportive therapy for adults should be designed so that the frequency of the patient’s stool is 1 or 2 times a day. The maximum daily dosage is 16 mg.
The therapeutic effect of taking such a drug develops within 48 hours. If for 2-4 days, using up to 16 mg of the drug every day, it is not possible to achieve the desired result, then you should definitely consult a doctor who will review his diagnosis. The use of the drug can be repeated, but only if the specific treatment or diet does not normalize the stool.
As for children, such a drug should be prescribed only from 4 years old. Its dosage also depends on the age of the patient and the severity of the disease.
For children from 4 to 7 years old, the drug should be given 3-4 times a day, 1 mg each. The duration of therapy is 3 days. Children from 7 to 12 years old are prescribed four tablets a day for 1 tablet for 5 days. With acute diarrhea, the initial dosage for babies should be 1 capsule. The maximum daily dose for babies is 8 mg.
If a child has loose stools after each bowel movement for a long time, then each time he should be given 1 capsule, but not more than 6 mg per 20 kg of weight per day. If the baby does not go to the toilet for more than 12 hours, and also after normalizing the stool, it is recommended to stop taking the medication presented.
Drug overdose
In case of an overdose of this drug, the following deviations can be observed in the patient:
- impaired coordination of movements;
- narrowing of the pupils;
- stupor;
- drowsiness;
- increased muscle tone of the skeleton;
- intestinal obstruction;
- depressed breathing.
To treat such pathological conditions, doctors very often use the drug "Naloxone" with simultaneous symptomatic therapy.
Side effects
It should be especially noted that after the use of the drug "Loperamide hydrochloride" in patients, various side effects can be observed. Especially often they occur with prolonged use of the medication. So, the presented drug can cause the following side effects:
- flatulence;
- electrolyte disturbances;
- vomiting
- intestinal colic;
- dizziness;
- gastralgia;
- nausea;
- hypovolemia;
- drowsiness;
- dry mouth.
In young children, such a drug most often causes abdominal discomfort, as well as a skin rash. Very rarely, the drug “Loperamide hydrochloride” can contribute to urinary retention or intestinal obstruction.
If after 2 days these phenomena do not disappear, and the patient does not feel better, then you should definitely consult a doctor who should prescribe another (similar) drug. If such a medicine does not help you, then it is better to check for the presence of an infection that caused diarrhea.
Drug interaction
According to the instructions, with the simultaneous use of the preparations “Loperamide hydrochloride” and “Colestyramine”, the effectiveness of the former may decrease. If you need to use this drug with Co-trimoxazole or Ritonavir, you should know that its bioavailability is significantly increased.
special instructions
The drug "Loperamide hydrochloride" should be taken with extreme caution in case of liver failure. It is also not recommended to use it in such clinical situations when the inhibition of intestinal motility is necessary. In the absence of the proper therapeutic effect 2 days after the use of this drug, it is desirable to clarify the diagnosis with a doctor and exclude the infectious genesis of diarrhea.