A rather unpleasant event that occurs at the most inopportune time is diarrhea. What if you need to quickly bounce back? For such situations, pharmacologists have developed emergency assistance. This is the Imodium medicine. Analogues of the drug, which will cost the patient much cheaper, will have an equally effective effect. However, in order for any of the tools to produce the desired result, you should understand when and how to use it.
Action on the body
The main component of the Imodium preparation is the substance loperamide. It gives the drug the ability to block opioid receptors in the walls of the intestine, due to which a number of important effects are performed:
- inhibition of active intestinal motility;
- increased tone of the anal sphincter and colon;
- blocking the mechanism of mucus secretion;
- normalization of absorption of electrolytes and fluids.
Thus, the effect of this drug is to reduce pain cramps and eliminate diarrhea. Moreover, the effect of the drug develops rapidly, usually within 30-40 minutes.
Indications for use
Of course, like any drug, the drug “Imodium” has analogues, which we will talk about below. But first you need to understand the conditions in which this medication is in demand.
According to the instructions, the medicine is used for various forms of chronic or acute diarrhea:
- allergic
- emotional;
- ray;
- medicinal;
- provoked by a change in diet.
The drug is prescribed for people with an ileostomy who need to regulate the stool.
Contraindications
Some people may be banned from taking Imodium (tablets). The instruction gives the following contraindications:
- intestinal obstruction (partial or complete);
- acute ulcerative colitis;
- gastrointestinal infections (triggered by Salmonella spp., Shigella spp. and Campylobacter spp.);
- pseudomembranous enterocolitis;
- diverticulosis;
- constipation, bloating ;
- kids up to six years old;
- lactation period;
- pregnancy (especially the first trimester);
- individual sensitivity to the drug.
Great care requires the use of the drug "Imodium" in patients suffering from liver failure.
Dosage and route of administration
The medicine is produced in two dosage forms:
- Capsules They should be taken without chewing, washed down with the required amount of water.
- Tablets. It is recommended to put the pill on the tongue and wait for its complete dissolution. Then it is swallowed along with saliva.
It is important not only to use it correctly, but also to know the dosages in which the Imodium preparation (tablets) is used. Instructions for use recommend the following standards:
- For adults, the initial dose is 2 tablets. If you take capsules, then, respectively, 2 pieces.
- For children over 6 years - 1 tablet.
- In case of acute diarrhea, it is allowed to take 1 tablet after each stool.
- In chronic pathology, the dose should be adjusted. It is necessary to reach the moment when the patient will have 1-2 acts of bowel movement per day. For adjustment, it is allowed to take from 1 tablet to 6 throughout the day.
- The maximum dose of Imodium for adults is 8 tablets per day.
- For children - 1 pill per 7 kg of baby's weight.
Side effects
Using the drug "Imodium", the patient may encounter unpleasant manifestations. The main side effects of the medicine are:
- From the digestive system: dry mouth, vomiting, nausea. Sometimes colic occurs, discomfort and pain are felt in the abdomen. Swelling and constipation may occur.
- From the nervous system: dizziness, severe fatigue, drowsiness.
- Allergic manifestations. There may be a rash on the surface of the skin.
With severe manifestations, of course, it is best to abandon the use of the Imodium drug. Analogues of the drug have the same side effects and contraindications as the original remedy, because they contain the same active substance.
Analogues of the drug
So, we consider drugs that have one active substance - loperamide. It is by this criterion that the analogy is selected for the Imodium medicine.
The main substitutes for the original product are:
- Diarol
- "Lopedium";
- "Diara";
- Loperamide
- "Lopedium Fine Arts";
- Loperac;
- "Vero-loperamide";
- "Neo-Enteroseptol";
- Loperamide Acry;
- "Superilop";
- Enterobene.
The above drugs are produced in a variety of dosage forms: solutions, effervescent tablets, syrups, capsules.
Some dosage forms of these analogues are acceptable for taking crumbs from two years. It should be noted that from the same age, the preparation “Imodium” is allowed in the form of a solution. However, this dosage form of the original product is simply impossible to find in pharmacies.
Excellent solutions of loperamide, approved for use by two-year-old babies, are:
- Enterobene;
- Neo-Enteroseptol.
Domestic preparations also possess such characteristics.
Russian analogues
Today, an increasing number of people choose domestic drugs. To find the Russian analogue of Imodium is quite possible. However, choosing this tool, it is necessary to strictly take into account its effectiveness and quality. In addition, you should carefully study the instructions. After all, not every Russian analogue of Imodium is suitable for treatment according to the mechanism of its effect.
Domestic substitutes for the original drug are:
- Loperamide
- "Diara";
- "Vero-loperamide."
Let's consider them in more detail.
The medicine "Loperamide"
This is the most basic Russian analogue of Imodium. The drug is used for diseases accompanied by gastrointestinal disorders. It is in demand in the treatment of the following pathologies:
- infectious gastroenteritis;
- diarrhea;
- nutritional colitis;
- Crohn's disease;
- allergic colitis.
The medicine helps to cope with diarrhea caused by changes in diet.
The drug Loperamide (an analogue of Imodium) is available in the form of capsules, tablets, solution and syrup. This allows each patient to choose the most convenient dosage form for admission.
This tool can significantly reduce the concentration of attention. Therefore, drivers, employees who need a quick reaction, it is advisable to refrain from responsible activities while taking the medicine.
Both drugs are quite similar. A significant difference is only the cost of these funds. The price of Imodium № 10 medicine varies from 242-268 rubles. And the cost of the drug "Loperamide" No. 10 is 12-28 rubles.
Means "Vero-loperamide"
The medicine is another cheap analogue of Imodium. The price of this drug is about 18 rubles.
The medication contains the same active substance as the Imodium medicine. Therefore, in its effect on the body is very similar to the original tool. In this case, these tablets should not be resorbed, as required by the instructions for the above drug. The pill must be swallowed and washed down with water.
In addition, the Vero-Loperamide agent is approved for use by children from the age of five. And if necessary, and under the supervision of a doctor, the medicine is acceptable for use by pregnant women.
The drug "Diara"
A modern drug for the treatment of diarrhea in the form of chewable tablets is produced. The medicine has a fairly long therapeutic effect. The required performance comes quickly and lasts for 5 hours.
The tablet should be chewed well and washed down with water.
For adults, the initial dosage is 4 mg of the drug. This is equivalent to two tablets. Subsequently, they switch to the use of one pill after each stool. The maximum allowable rate per day is to take eight tablets.
For children over six, the starting dose is one tablet. During the day, the baby can chew no more than three pills.
It is extremely important to refrain from taking alcoholic beverages during therapy.
Conclusion
The Imodium medicine or analogues of this drug are those medicines that are often found in any home medicine cabinet. They are often used, in connection with which they are regarded by some people as first-aid drugs, which can be resorted to in case of any troubles with the gastrointestinal tract, without thinking about the consequences. However, this is completely untrue. When using these tools, always follow all warnings. And remember that the uncontrolled use of medications can lead to serious consequences.