Loperamide

Common Brand Names

Imodium, Eldoper, Dicotil, Imotil, Pacmodium, Diarsec, Loritax, Lomide

Overview

Loperamide is a medicine to treat diarrhoea (runny poo). It can help with short-term diarrhoea or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Loperamide is also used for recurring or longer lasting diarrhoea from bowel conditions such as Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis and short bowel syndrome.

Diarrhoea that starts suddenly usually gets better on its own within 5 to 7 days. If you need immediate short-term relief, taking loperamide can reduce the number of times you go to the toilet and it makes your poo less watery.

Loperamide works by slowing down food as it goes through your gut. Your body can then draw in more water from your intestines, so that your poos get firmer and you poo less often.

If you have a colostomy (where part of your bowel is brought through an opening made in your tummy, called a stoma) you may be prescribed loperamide. If you have a lot of poo and fluids coming through it, your stoma team may advise you to take high doses of loperamide to make your poo thicker and reduce the flow.

Important Facts

• Loperamide usually starts to make your diarrhoea better within 1 hour.
• If you buy loperamide from a pharmacy or shop, do not take it for more than 48 hours without talking to a doctor.
• Only take the recommended amount. Too much loperamide can cause serious heart problems (including a fast or irregular heartbeat).
• Do not drive, cycle or use machinery or tools if loperamide makes you feel dizzy, tired or sleepy.

• It's best not to drink alcohol while you're taking loperamide. Alcohol makes you more likely to have side effects.