When they ask me which medicine cures diarrhea better than others, I do not hesitate for a long time. Maybe not the best, but very effective drug for emergency care for diarrhea, is Loperamide.
Indications for use of the drug, with the active substance loperamide hydrochloride, are acute and chronic diarrhea of various genesis. The pharmacological group, which includes the drug in question, is called antidiarrheal drugs, that is, simply means for diarrhea of various etiologies.
The drug also has other names: "Lopedium", "Superilop", "Imodium", "Neo-Enteroseptol" and others. The active substance is the same in everyone and these are synonyms for the drug Loperamide. Indications for treatment with the drug are due to its properties. Its use helps to slow intestinal motility (rhythmic contractions of the musculature of the organ).
At the same time, the passage of intestinal contents increases, the tone of the anal sphincter increases, fecal retention occurs. The urge to defecate after applying this remedy occurs less frequently. We can say that in most cases, the drug Loperamide is best suited to combat diarrhea. Indications include the treatment of diarrhea of an emotional and allergic origin, radiation origin, as well as due to an altered diet and its quality.
The drug "Loperamide" during pregnancy is prescribed exclusively in those cases in which there is no threat to the fetus. In the first trimester is not assigned at all. Although serious studies of the drug among pregnant women have not been conducted on the administration of the Loperamide medication, indications for treatment during lactation provide a solution to the issue of stopping breastfeeding while taking this medication.
There are contraindications to this drug. As with any medicine, such a contraindication is, first of all, hypersensitivity. It is also contraindicated in case of bowel obstruction, ulcerative colitis in the acute stage, first trimester of pregnancy, liver failure, gastrointestinal infections and for children under two years of age.
There are some features when using the drug "Loperamide". Application requires consideration of the fact that treatment of diarrhea also involves replenishment of fluid loss. Also, during the period of treatment of diarrhea with this medicine, caution should be observed by drivers of vehicles, and representatives of other professions that require reaction speed and concentration. If constipation or bloating occurs during treatment with the drug, they should be discontinued.
Patients with liver dysfunctions during treatment with this drug should be observed for toxic CNS pathologies. The prescription of the drug in capsules is not recommended for children under the age of five. If after two days of treatment the patient does not have a positive result, it is necessary to clarify the diagnosis in order to exclude infectious diseases, as the causes of diarrhea.
How to use the drug "Loperamide". Indications and dosage. Capsules are taken orally without chewing. They are washed down with water. You can also take pills, but for a faster effect, the tablet can be held on the tongue and after loosening, swallow it along with saliva. In this case, the medicine is not washed down with water. In cases of acute diarrhea, 4 mg is prescribed for adults - the initial dose. Subsequently, you need to take 2 mg after each loose stool (diarrhea). The daily dose of the drug should not exceed 16 mg.
For children over the age of five, with acute diarrhea, the initial dose is prescribed 2 mg, and after each bowel movement ( loose stool) also 2 mg. The daily dose is 8 mg. At the age of five years, the drug is prescribed for children in a solution that is taken by mouth at the rate of 5 ml per 10 kg of weight. After the stool is normalized, the medicine is canceled both for children and adult patients.