“Loperamide”: instructions for use of capsules and tablets for children of different ages

Category: Published 01/28/2016 · Comments: · Reading time: 4 min · Views: 2,920

Loperamide is a symptomatic medicine. Instructions for use indicate that the purpose of the drug is to treat non-infectious acute and chronic forms of diarrhea. Thanks to the action of the active substance of the same name, Loperamide inhibits the movement of intestinal contents and reduces gastrointestinal motility.

Mode of application

Loperamide can be given to children starting from 2 years old.
It is very important to choose the right amount depending on the child’s age, body weight and severity of the disease:

• For severe diarrhea, children under 5 years of age are given 1 mg of medication three times a day;
• for children aged 5-8 years, the dosage of Loperamide is 2 mg, taken twice a day;
• Patients 8-12 years old are given 2 mg three times a day.

The daily dosage of Loperamide for children is prescribed at the rate of 6 mg per 20 kg of baby’s weight. It is not recommended to give this product to infants.

In addition to tablets, you can use the product in the form of drops for children. In this case, the instructions for use recommend giving babies 30 drops 4 times a day. The daily volume should not exceed 120 drops.

If diarrhea persists on the second day, children can be given 2 mg of medicine after each bowel movement. However, the daily volume should still not exceed 6 mg for every 20 kg of the patient’s weight.

If after using the product 2 days later the baby’s condition has not returned to normal, you need to undergo tests that will help identify the infection. This may be the cause of diarrhea and weakness. When bacterial pathogens are identified, antibiotics must be used.

Loperamide treatment can be stopped if there has been no urge to diarrhea for 12 hours

It is also important to ensure that the child goes to the toilet to have bowel movements no more than 1-2 times a day

At what age can a child be given this medicine for diarrhea?

Can Loperamide be given to children and at what age? This drug is contraindicated in children under 2 years of age. If the pediatrician nevertheless prescribed this medicine to the child, then you should strictly follow the dosage indicated by the doctor in order to avoid negative consequences. If your baby is two years old, then there are no contraindications.

Children from two to seven years old should follow the dosage indicated in the instructions for use. In case of overdose, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Composition, packaging, form and description

In what form can a medicine such as Loperamide be purchased? Reviews from experts claim that this medication is supplied to pharmacies in the form of capsules, absorbable tablets and drops.

The first two forms are intended for adult patients, as well as children over six years of age. As for the latter, in some countries the drops were used only for babies under one year old. However, in the Russian Federation this form is not allowed for sale, since it was very often used independently, without a doctor’s prescription, which often led to serious complications, including death.

The active substance of tablets and capsules is loperamide hydrochloride. Reviews from doctors say that this component is contained in both forms in the same amount, that is, 2 mg each. As for additional elements, these include lactose, corn starch, talc and colloidal silicon dioxide.

Capsules are produced in a gelatin shell. Their contents are white or almost white powder. The tablets are flat in shape and may have a yellowish tint.

Both types of medicinal products are contained in blister packs, which are placed in cardboard packs.

Composition, principle of action and release form of Loperamide

Loperamide contains the following inactive ingredients: colloidal dioxide, gelatin, iron oxides, lactose, magnesium, microcrystalline cellulose, starch and titanium dioxide. Available in the following types:

1. Tablets 2 mg. Contains a small amount of lactose. Take it with a glass of water, milk or juice. Chewing is not recommended.
2. Capsules 2 mg. The contents and use are the same as for tablets.
3. Powder 1 mg. Diluted in 5 ml of water.

Loperamide slows bowel activity and promotes water retention, preventing dehydration. Reduces the daily volume of stool, increases its viscosity and bulk density, reduces the loss of fluid and electrolytes.

Features of the medicine

If there is no therapeutic effect after 2 days of treatment with the drug in question, then you should consult a doctor.

If bloating or constipation occurs during therapy, the drug should be discontinued. In patients with impaired liver function, careful monitoring of symptoms of toxic damage to the central nervous system is required.

During this period, the loss of electrolytes and fluids should be replenished.

Various digestive disorders occur quite often in childhood. To cope with such troubles, you need to consult a doctor. Specialists often prescribe special medications. Many parents are interested in whether Loperamide can be given to children.

Before giving Loperamide to children, you need to study the composition of the drug. It contains the following ingredients:

• Loperamide;
• 4-hydroxide piperidinone;
• 2-N-dimethyl;
• 2-diphenyl butyramide hydrochloride;
• 4-chlorophenyl.

The product is available in various dosage forms. You can find tablets, drops and capsules on sale. White Loperamide tablets are taken orally. It is recommended to dissolve them thoroughly. In addition to the main ingredient, this release form includes calcium stearate, starch, and granulac-70.

Contraindications

It is prohibited to take the medication under the following conditions:

• infectious pathologies of the stomach and intestines;
• diverticula, intestinal obstruction;
• acute form of ulcerative colitis;
• subileuse;
• bloating;
• enterocolitis;
• bloody stools;
• dysentery;
• hypersensitivity to the composition of the drug;
• in early pregnancy;
• during lactation.

In childhood, Loperamide is prescribed after 2 years of age; the Acri variety can be given to children only from 6 years of age. Care must be taken during therapy in patients with liver failure.

Pharmacodynamics

If you take Loperamide, how will it affect the body? Once in the digestive tract, Loperamide binds to opioid receptors, thereby reducing tension in the muscle wall of the intestine. At the same time, the activity of the digestive tract decreases, which allows the passage of feces to slow down. Under the influence of Loperamide, the tone of the anal sphincter increases, due to which the urge to defecate is reduced and the contents of the intestines are better retained. The effect of the drug can be felt almost instantly, and it lasts for an average of 5 hours.

Despite the fact that Loperamide has a certain affinity for opioid receptors, its peculiarity does not allow comparison with conventional opiates (morphine, opium, etc.). Loperamide completely lacks a central effect, i.e. there is no effect on the brain. Its selective effect on the intestines eliminates addiction and severe side effects.

Loperamide - side effects

Due to its affordable price, the drug can be found in home medicine cabinets. The medicine is used without the consent of the doctor, without thinking about the possible side effects of Loperamide. If the drug is used in large quantities, it is recommended to take the antidote drug Naloxone. According to the instructions, in case of overdose the following are observed:

• respiratory depression;
• drowsiness;
• lack of coordination;
• stupor;
• intestinal obstruction.

Due to the active effect of antidiarrheal medicine on the body, its long and uncontrolled use, side effects may occur. Alcohol consumption aggravates this situation. Loperamide instructions note that they observe:

• allergies;
• lethargy;
• skin rashes;
• dizziness;
• insomnia;
• intestinal colic;
• bloating;
• nausea;
• stomach pain;
• dry mouth;
• vomiting;
• abdominal discomfort;
• flatulence;
• dehydration;
• electrolyte disturbances;
• delay in urine output.

Indications

Loperamide can be prescribed to children in the following cases:

1. Diarrhea of ​​various origins. The product helps with diarrhea, which is caused by taking medications, allergies, eating low-quality food, and an unsatisfactory emotional state.
2. Severe diarrhea that requires fluid changes. In this case, the medicine is used as an auxiliary drug.
3. Chronic pathologies. These include, in particular, ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.
4. Postoperative diarrhea. In this case, the medicine is part of complex therapy.
5. Diarrhea of ​​infectious origin.

What are Loperamide capsules from?

Loperamide capsules and tablets are intended to normalize bowel movements, namely to relieve diarrhea:

1. The drug can only be used for diarrhea that does not have an infectious etiology.
2. In capsule or tablet form, the medication also cannot be used for diarrhea that was caused by intestinal diverticulosis.
3. Many specialists use this medicine in the treatment of chronic diarrhea, the development of which occurred under the influence of allergic or emotional factors.
4. Taking this medicine is also indicated for those categories of patients whose defecation process is disrupted due to the introduction of a new product into the diet.
5. The capsule or tablet form is successfully used to relieve diarrhea that has developed while people are taking medications.
6. The medicine is very successful in eliminating the symptoms of irritable bowel.

People should understand that Loperamide does not help with all forms of diarrhea. If there is even the slightest sign that the diarrhea is infectious in nature, then taking this medicine is strictly prohibited.

This ban is due to the fact that this category of patients needs to take antibiotics to eliminate the cause of diarrhea.

If they start using Loperamide tablets or capsules, they will be able to normalize the process of bowel movements, but at the same time the process of removing toxins from the intestines will be suspended. As a result, the patient will have to face unpleasant consequences.

The instructions for Loperamide acri indicate that people can use this drug for symptomatic treatment of infectious diarrhea, but only at a certain point. That is why patients should use the medicine in such a situation only under the supervision of the attending physician. It is strictly forbidden for people with diarrhea of ​​infectious etiology to self-medicate.

Applications and dosages

Loperamide capsules are taken orally, not chewed, and washed down with water. The tablets can be placed on the tongue and then swallowed with saliva after dissolution.

for adults

For acute diarrhea for adults, the initial dosage is 2 mg (1 capsule or tablet). Then, after each act of defecation, provided that loose stools are maintained, it increases by another 2 mg. The maximum dosage should not exceed 16 mg.

For chronic diarrhea in adults, the drug is prescribed at a dose of 4 mg per day. If necessary, it can be increased, but not more than 16 mg per day.

for children

For children under 6 years of age, Loperamide tablets are prescribed. For acute diarrhea, the initial dosage is 2 mg. With each act of defecation, it is possible to increase the dose, but it should not exceed 8 mg. For chronic diarrhea, the average dosage is 2 mg once a day.

Mechanism of action

Loperamide is a drug that affects the functioning of the intestines, leading to its inhibition. This medicine suppresses diarrhea because it affects the opioid receptors in the intestinal wall. As a result of these processes, acetylcholine and prostaglandin are released.

Loperamide - and diarrhea recedes

The medicine affects intestinal motility, leading to a slower excretion of feces. This helps prevent them from being released. Loperamide leads to an increase in the tone of the anal sphincter, which reduces the urge to defecate.

After the first use, the product is practically not absorbed into the blood. This is due to the fact that its components resemble the composition of the intestinal walls. In addition, the medicine is perfectly biotransformed, which helps to avoid blood saturation.

The activity of the drug begins approximately 1 hour after administration. The effect of the medication lasts 4-6 hours. Maximum plasma concentration is achieved 4 hours after application.

The ingredients of the medicine leave the child’s body with feces and bile. Complete elimination of the drug is achieved 12 hours after use.

special instructions

Before you start using the drug, be sure to pay attention to the following special instructions:

If within 2 days after starting to take tablets or capsules and increasing the dosage of the drug there is no therapeutic effect, then you should consult a doctor. In patients with concomitant impairment of the functional state of the liver while using the drug, it is important to monitor the condition of the structures of the central nervous system, since toxic effects cannot be excluded. With significant diarrhea, a significant volume of fluid and mineral salts is lost, therefore, in addition to the drug Loperamide, therapy for diarrhea should include rehydration. Dehydration of the body, which develops against the background of severe diarrhea, enhances the therapeutic effects of the drug and increases the risk of overdose. The use of the drug in children over 6 years of age requires special caution, since the child’s body remains very sensitive to the opiate-like effects of the drug. Suppression of diarrhea during infectious pathology provokes the retention of toxins in the intestines and their absorption into the systemic circulation with the development of severe intoxication. While taking the drug, special care should be taken when performing work that requires increased concentration of attention, as well as the speed of psychomotor reactions.

Overdose

If you give your child medication in large quantities or too often, increased irritability may occur due to central nervous system depression and sleep disorders. Also, abuse of Loperamide is fraught with:

• muscle weakness;
• impaired coordination of movements;
• intestinal obstruction;
• stupor.

If such symptoms appear in a child, it is necessary to rinse the stomach, give a sorbent and immediately take the baby to the hospital. In case of overdose, the use of the antidote Loperamide - Naloxone is indicated.

Price

The cost of Loperamide is on average 23 rubles. Prices range from 6 to 55 rubles.

Loperamide was first synthesized in 1969 in Belgium. The main contribution to the creation of this drug was made by Paul Janssen, who in 1982 became a laureate of the International Gairdner Prize. The main indications for the use of Loperamide were frequent bowel movements and. After the patent expired, many pharmaceutical companies began to use Loperamide as one of the constituent components in their medications. The company that developed the original drug (Janssen Pharmaceutica) began marketing it under the name.

Just 7 years after its discovery, Loperamide managed to become the best-selling anti-diarrhea drug in the United States. In 2013, the World Health Organization included this drug in the list of essential medicines.

What it is? Cost of medicine

Medicine "Loperamide" - capsules. They contain the active ingredient of the same name, loperamide hydrochloride, in an amount of 2 mg per pill. The capsules also contain corn starch, talc, magnesium stearate and milk sugar. The medicine can also be found in the form of regular tablets. In this case, among the additional components you will find potato starch, calcium stearate and granulac.

The price of Loperamide directly depends on its release form and the manufacturer. Capsules in the amount of 10 pieces will cost you from 20 rubles. Tablets cost about 17 rubles. The drug is also available in larger quantities – 20 pills. The cost also doubles.

Pharmacological characteristics

What is a drug like Loperamide? Reviews from pharmacists inform us that this is a symptomatic antidiarrheal medication.

By binding to opioid receptors in the intestinal walls, the active substance of the drug reduces motility and tone of intestinal smooth muscles. This effect slows down the passage of its contents, and also reduces the release of electrolytes and fluid in feces.

It should also be noted that the remedy in question increases the tone of the sphincter (anal), which ultimately helps to reduce the urge to defecate and retain feces.

How long does Loperamide last? Reviews from patients indicate that the effect of taking this medicine occurs very quickly. Moreover, it continues for 5-6 hours.

Indications for use of Loperamide

This antidiarrheal drug does not treat the cause of the disease, but only relieves the main symptom - diarrhea. The instructions describe that the main active substance in the drug - loperamide hydrochloride - does not affect the proliferation of E. coli. When ingested, this remedy:

• slows down intestinal motility;
• reduces the tone of muscle fibers;
• reduces motor skills;
• slows down the time of movement of feces;
• increases sphincter tone;
• reduces the number of urges;
• promotes fecal retention;
• gives density to feces.

The use of Loperamide hydrochloride helps in the treatment of chronic and acute forms of non-infectious diarrhea. Indications for use according to the instructions are diarrhea, which manifests itself as a result of:

• food allergies;
• emotional stress;
• radiation therapy treatment;
• effects of drugs;
• changes in the composition of food and water;
• eating disorders.

Loperamide - what it helps with

According to the instructions, the use of Loperamide is prescribed for severe diarrhea that continues for a long time. Indications include stool regulation after surgery in patients with ileostomy. What makes Loperamide most effective? The medicine has indications for use in the following cases:

• malabsorption disorders;
• inflammatory processes;
• irritable bowel syndrome;
• metabolic disorders.

Signs of diarrhea

Unshaped chair. The lower intestines are responsible for pulling fluid from stool. With the development of colitis and other inflammatory bowel diseases, moisture absorption may be impaired, which is what causes the liquid state of stool. Subjectively, patients can feel water flowing inside them. If the patient suffers from a foodborne toxic infection, then in addition to a violation of the absorption properties of the intestine, increased secretion of fluid into the lumen is added to the pathogenesis. This is especially pronounced in cholera, when people die from severe dehydration. As peristalsis accelerates, patients begin to go to the toilet more often. This symptom can be combined with bloating and.

Side effects and overdose

Strictly follow the instructions for use. Exceeding the dose may lead to constipation, heart disease, liver and kidney disease, etc.

Rarely, some children experience side effects when using this medication, which can lead to negative consequences and even death if the cause is not identified in time. Tell the doctor or get medical help right away if your child has the following symptoms after using this medicine:

• signs of an allergic reaction such as hives, itching, blistering or flaking skin with or without fever;
• wheezing;
• chest pain or palpitations;
• constipation;
• bloating;
• black, tarry, or bloody stools.

Prohibitions and restrictions on taking loperamide

Loperamide capsules

If the drug is taken short-term, only as a symptomatic remedy, then as soon as the stool returns to normal, its use should be stopped. Since loperamide can have a depressant effect on the nervous system in large doses, it should not be used in children under 6 years of age and with extreme caution in adolescents under 12 years of age. The effect of the drug on the central nervous system is due to the prohibition of drinking alcohol during treatment, as well as driving a car. It should be taken into account that the period of elimination of the drug from the body is quite long, that is, long-term consequences are possible.

As for taking loperamide during pregnancy, it is better to refrain from this, especially the first 3 months. If it is absolutely necessary to use the drug, a pregnant woman should consult a doctor and minimize the dosage. The drug taken during breastfeeding passes into milk in an amount of 0.03%, however, even such a tiny dose can cause slow breathing and drowsiness in an infant. Medical contraindications to the use of loperamide include erosions, intestinal ulcers and diverticulosis in order to avoid perforation of the intestinal walls and the occurrence of peritonitis. It is impossible to use it for bacterial intestinal infections and food poisoning, as well as for decreased liver function.

Inexpensive and effective, loperamide is used as a symptomatic treatment for non-infectious diarrhea. In this case, careful consideration of contraindications and compliance with the required dosage is necessary.

You can find out whether children can be given a medicine such as loperamide from the video:

Cases of sudden onset of diarrhea are not uncommon. A person cannot do business or leave the house. When this situation occurs frequently, people know that the drug Loperamide will help. It is important to carefully study the instructions so that use does not cause complications.

Adverse reactions

Patients often tolerate the medication well, but the following have been reported while taking it:

• Dry mouth.
• Electrolyte disorders.
• Decrease in circulating blood volume.
• Skin rash.
• Attacks of dizziness.
• Flatulence.
• Intestinal colic.
• Gastralgia (severe pain in the stomach area).
• Pain in the abdomen, vomiting.
• Sensation preceding vomiting.

Urinary retention/absence was rarely observed. Basically, such phenomena occurred against the background of long-term use of the drug.

Can Loperamide be given to children for diarrhea?

Parents make a huge mistake when they do not think about whether it is possible to give Loperamide to their children for diarrhea. The fact is that the child’s body is not adapted to the active loads that this drug places on the liver. In this regard, young children may suffer from the medicine: liver dysfunction, if it does not affect itself in the first years, will remind itself in later years. In this regard, children under 4 years of age should not be given this medicine under any circumstances. For older children, a doctor can prescribe this remedy, carefully calculating the dosage.

Why is loperamide dangerous for a child?

For children aged 2 to 5 years, Loperamide should be taken with extreme caution. This is due to the fact that, mainly, obstruction occurs in children. This may lead to undesirable results.

Loperamide hydrochloride is an anti-diarrhea tablet that reduces the movement of stool through the intestinal tract. Due to this, the urge to loose stool and dehydration are reduced. Loperamide has a very simple composition: in addition to the main component, it contains stearic acid, polyvinylpyrrolidone, corn starch and lactose.

Absorption of the components into the blood occurs four hours after using this medicine. The drug is eliminated from the human body within 17–40 hours. Partially the drug is excreted in feces and urine, and the remainder is reabsorbed by the intestines and the next withdrawal of components occurs in the next cycle. 40% remains in the liver and leaves the body with bile.

If liver function is normal, then a small amount of the drug’s components are retained in the blood. But when work is disrupted, an overdose and concentration occurs, which causes headache, loss of consciousness, rash and possible respiratory arrest. If you notice such symptoms, contact the clinic immediately. Specialists there will observe the patient for 48 hours and prescribe an antidote for this drug - naloxone.

If your liver function is impaired, then it is strictly forbidden to take this medicine without consulting a specialist. Interaction with other drugs is possible, but only if they do not stimulate or increase gastrointestinal motility, since this medication has the opposite effect.

Loperamide stad is available in the form of 2 milligram capsules. When interaction with the receptor part of the intestine begins, PG and acetylcholine are released, which inhibits the passage of feces through the gastrointestinal tract and the removal of fluid from the body. When using this medication, the anus narrows, which prevents frequent bowel movements.

When using this drug, all bowel functions slow down, effectively stopping the gastrointestinal tract and affecting the nervous system. In an adult, after some time has passed after stopping the use of the drug, all functions are restored. But in children, recovery does not occur.

Overdose symptoms

If you exceed the recommended maximum dose of the medicine, you may overdose on loperamide. Symptoms of overdose appear as follows:

• constriction of the pupils;
• drowsiness;
• breathing problems;
• impaired coordination of movements;
• intestinal obstruction.

To relieve the symptoms of an overdose and cure the patient, a specific antidote, Naloxone, is used. Sometimes the antidote has to be given repeatedly due to its short period of action. In parallel, when treating an overdose, gastric lavage is done and activated charcoal is taken. In this case, it is necessary to maintain a gentle diet and drink plenty of fluids.

If a patient has breathing problems during an overdose, artificial ventilation may be required.

If you are not sure that you can provide the necessary assistance to a patient, immediately call an ambulance.

Pharmacological group

The mechanism of action of loperamide, which is the main active ingredient of the drug, is to suppress peristalsis (wave-like movements aimed at pushing the contents) of the intestines and increase the tone of the anal sphincter muscles. The therapeutic effect is realized by influencing the opiate receptors of the walls of the hollow organs of the gastrointestinal tract, as well as suppressing the release of acetylcholine, prostaglandin and other biologically active compounds. After taking a tablet or capsule orally, the therapeutic effect develops quite quickly and lasts for 4-6 hours.

Analogs

Storage and release conditions

The medication is available to all patients and is available without a special prescription. The average price for package No. 20 is from 14 to 65 rubles, depending on the manufacturer. It should be stored in a cool place, protected from freezing and ultraviolet radiation. The expiration date for Loperamide is indicated on each package. Some companies have a permissible shelf life of 3 years, while other pharmaceutical companies have a permissible shelf life of 4 years. After the prescribed period, the product is thrown away.

Contraindications to the use of the medication

In what cases should Loperamide (tablets) not be used? The instructions for this medication state that it is not recommended for use when:

• intestinal obstruction;
• diarrhea due to dysentery, acute pseudomembranous enterocolitis or other gastrointestinal infections;
• diverticulosis;
• acute ulcerative colitis;
• hypersensitivity.

It should also be noted that such antidiarrheal drugs for children should be prescribed only from 4 years of age. In addition, according to the instructions, Loperamide is contraindicated in the 1st trimester of pregnancy and during lactation. This drug is prescribed with extreme caution for liver failure.

Interaction of Loperamide with medications

The drug is prescribed by the attending physician. If an integrated approach to treatment is required, then choose drugs that can be used together.

It is prohibited to simultaneously use Loperamide with Clarithromycin, Erythromycin, and histamine receptor inhibitors.

Analogs

An analogue is the drug Imodium, produced by Janssen. Imodium is available in tablet form, which is recommended to be placed under the tongue. Diarol, Laremid, Superilop are considered analogues of Loperamide.

The use of Loperamide eliminates signs of diarrhea, helps restore and normalize stool. This is an effective way to combat indigestion of various etymologies. Before use, study the instructions, contraindications, side effects, dosing methods according to age. Be healthy!

Loperamide is a piperidine derivative. It belongs to opioids - substances that can bind to opioid receptors, most of which are located in the walls of the gastrointestinal tract. Loperamide was first synthesized in 1969 by Paul Janssen (Janssen Pharmaceutica). The substance was patented in 1973 immediately after the first results of clinical trials were obtained. Loperamide is part of the modern antidiarrheal drug IMODIUM®. Lozenges containing 2 mg of active substance are produced using the patented Zydis technology. Thanks to it, they dissolve in the mouth within a few seconds. Therefore, the drug promotes a faster onset of action compared to tablets for oral administration (in an hour).

Reviews

Regina, 38 years old

My husband and I are travel lovers, and when packing a first aid kit, we don’t forget to take Loperamide. It was very useful to us in India. We decided to get acquainted with the local cuisine, and after a couple of hours we started taking turns running to the toilet. Loperamide's price is cheap, but the effect came quickly. After this, we don’t carry out culinary experiments, and the drug is always at hand.

Elena, 28 years old

I came across this remedy for diarrhea when I was studying at the institute. How to go to the exam - I can’t get off the potty. I was so nervous that I started having diarrhea. Thanks to my mom, I advised me to buy Loperamide tablets. I started drinking one before the exam and off I went! The product is inexpensive and helps a lot. Since then, Loperamide has been in the medicine cabinet.

Tamara, 26 years old

I just get nervous because I have diarrhea, so Loperamide is always on hand. One day this antidiarrheal drug caused me a lot of stress. Three days after the next use, I realized that I was pregnant, and drinking it in the early stages was prohibited. She cried like a fool, but the gynecologist barely calmed her down. Everything worked out, she gave birth to a healthy son.

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Loperamide is a remedy that helps fight diarrhea. Taking the tablets strengthens the stool and eliminates diarrhea. In what situations is the medicine effective, how it acts on the stomach, the recommended dosage and other issues are covered in the article.