home *** CD-ROM | disk | FTP | other *** search
- $Unique_ID{BRK03207}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{loperamide}
- $Subject{Imodium Janssen Antidiarrheal loperamide acute chronic diarrhea
- volume discharge ileostomies gastrointestinal tract water bowel}
- $Volume{}
- $Log{
- Imodium*0320701.scf}
-
- Copyright (C) 1993 Publications International, Ltd.
-
-
- loperamide
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- BRAND NAME (Manufacturer)
-
- Imodium (Janssen)
-
- TYPE OF DRUG
-
- Antidiarrheal
-
- INGREDIENT
-
- loperamide
-
- DOSAGE FORMS
-
- Capsules (2 mg)
- Oral liquid (1 mg per 5-ml spoonful) [*]
- * Available over-the-counter (without a prescription)
-
- STORAGE
-
- Loperamide capsules and liquid should be stored at room temperature in
- tightly closed containers. This medication should never be frozen.
-
- USES
-
- Loperamide is used to treat acute and chronic diarrhea and to reduce the
- volume of discharge in patients who have ileostomies. It acts by slowing the
- movement of the gastrointestinal tract and decreasing the passage of water and
- other substances into the bowel.
-
- TREATMENT
-
- In order to avoid stomach upset, you can take loperamide with food or
- with a full glass of water or milk.
- If you miss a dose of this medication, do not take the missed dose at
- all; just return to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double the next
- dose.
-
- SIDE EFFECTS
-
- Minor.
-
- Constipation, dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, fatigue, loss of
- appetite, nausea, or vomiting. These effects should disappear as your body
- adjusts to the drug.
- To relieve constipation, exercise and drink more water (unless your
- doctor directs you to do otherwise).
- To reduce mouth dryness, chew sugarless gum or suck on ice chips or a
- piece of hard candy.
- If you feel dizzy or light-headed, sit or lie down for a while; get up
- from a sitting or lying position slowly, and be careful on stairs.
-
- Major.
-
- Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or
- particularly bothersome. IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about
- abdominal bloating or pain, fever, rash, or sore throat.
-
- INTERACTIONS
-
- Loperamide should not interact with any other drugs.
-
- WARNINGS
-
- * Tell your doctor about unusual or allergic reactions you have had to
- any medications.
- * Tell your doctor if you now have or if you have ever had colitis,
- diarrhea caused by infectious organisms, drug-induced diarrhea, liver disease,
- dehydration, or conditions in which constipation must be avoided (such as
- hemorrhoids, diverticulitis, heart or blood vessel disorders, or blood
- clotting disorders).
- * If this drug makes you dizzy or drowsy, do not take part in any
- activity that requires alertness.
- * Before having surgery or any other medical or dental treatment, be sure
- to tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking this medication.
- * Check with your doctor if your diarrhea does not subside within three
- days. Unless your doctor prescribes otherwise, do not take this drug for more
- than ten days at a time.
- * While taking this medication, drink lots of fluids to replace those
- lost because of diarrhea.
- * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant. The effects of this
- medication during pregnancy have not been thoroughly studied in humans. Also,
- tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding an infant. It is not known whether
- loperamide passes into breast milk.
-
- ----------------
-
- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
- the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
- doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
- problem.
-