Loperamide (Imodium A-D): Uses, Side Effects, Interactions & More - GoodRx (2024)

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• Before taking loperamide (Imodium A-D), share all of the medications you're taking or planning to take with your pharmacist or another healthcare professional. They can make sure your medications are safe to take together.

• Don't use loperamide (Imodium A-D) if you have bloody or black stools. Ask your primary care provider before taking it if you have a fever or mucus in your stool.

• If you have a history of liver problems or heart rhythm problems, loperamide (Imodium A-D) might not be the best option for you. Talk with your primary care provider about other options for treating your diarrhea symptoms.

• Ask your healthcare team to see if any of your current medications interact with loperamide (Imodium A-D). You shouldn't take loperamide (Imodium A-D) with any medications that can affect heart rhythm, such as certain antipsychotics, because doing so can raise the risk of serious heart rhythm problems.

• Follow the directions on the package, and take loperamide (Imodium A-D) after loose stools. Keep a tally of how many tablets or capsules or how much of the liquid you've taken each day. This makes sure you don't go over the maximum amount in a 24-hour period.

• For the oral liquid: Keep the oral liquid bottle at room temperature. Make sure you shake it well before using. Use the dosing cup that comes with the bottle to measure your dose. Don't use kitchen or measuring spoons since these might not be accurate.

• Drink plenty of clear liquids while you're treating your diarrhea with loperamide (Imodium A-D). Having diarrhea can make you dehydrated.

• Loperamide (Imodium A-D) can cause dizziness, drowsiness, or tiredness. Don't drive or do anything that requires you to focus until you know how the medication affects you.

• Stop using loperamide (Imodium A-D) and call your primary care provider if your diarrhea lasts more than 2 days, your symptoms get worse after using this medication, or you notice your stomach is swelling or bulging.

• Keep loperamide (Imodium A-D) out of reach of children. If you or a loved one accidentally takes too much loperamide (Imodium A-D), get medical help or call a Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222 right away.

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You might notice an improvement in diarrhea symptoms about an hour after your dose of loperamide (Imodium A-D). But if you don't, you can take a dose (up to the maximum recommended daily dose) after each loose stool until your symptoms get better. If you're taking over-the-counter loperamide (Imodium A-D), contact your primary care provider if your symptoms become worse after taking the medication or if the diarrhea lasts for more than 2 days. These are signs that you might need more medical attention.

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How long the effects of loperamide (Imodium A-D) last might differ from person to person. Some people might notice an improvement in their symptoms after a couple of doses. But others might need to take loperamide (Imodium A-D) for a longer period of time. If you're taking over-the-counter loperamide (Imodium A-D), you should get medical help if you continue to have diarrhea for more than 2 days or if your symptoms worsens. A healthcare provider can check to see if you need more medical attention.

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Loperamide (Imodium A-D) can interact with some medications, including certain antidepressants and heartburn medications. Make sure to go over a list of your current medications with a healthcare professional before taking loperamide (Imodium A-D). Additionally, you should avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice. Grapefruit products can raise your risk of side effects from loperamide (Imodium A-D).

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In general, you can take loperamide (Imodium A-D) after each loose stool you have up to the maximum daily dose. It's important to follow the directions on the label or the way your prescriber instructed you to take loperamide (Imodium A-D). This is because taking too much could lead to serious side effects. The FDA made some changes to OTC packaging to make sure people don't take too much. Ask your pharmacist if you have other questions about how often you can take loperamide (Imodium A-D).

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There isn't enough information to know if loperamide (Imodium A-D) is safe to take during pregnancy. Results from animal studies suggest loperamide (Imodium A-D) won't cause harm to unborn babies, but results form human studies have been mixed. So your care team might only recommend loperamide (Imodium A-D) during pregnancy if the benefits of this medication is greater than the risks of harm. If you're pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant, speak to your obstetrician-gynecologist (OB-GYN) about safe options to manage symptoms of diarrhea.

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If you're taking over-the-counter loperamide (Imodium A-D), you can take a dose after each loose stool, up to the maximum daily dose. But if you're taking loperamide (Imodium A-D) for a chronic gut-related condition, a healthcare professional might instruct you to take this medication different. Talk to your healthcare team if you're not sure when or how to take loperamide (Imodium A-D).

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Lomotil (diphenoxylate / atropine) and loperamide (Imodium A-D) are both antidiarrheal medications, but they have a few differences. Lomotil (diphenoxylate / atropine) is only available with a prescription and is a controlled substance, whereas loperamide (Imodium A-D) is available both over the counter and with a prescription. Lomotil contains two ingredients: diphenoxylate, an opioid which works to slow down the gut similar to loperamide (Imodium A-D), and atropine to discourage misusing the medication. Discuss the best treatment option to manage your diarrhea with your healthcare team.

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Ask your child's pediatrician whether it's appropriate for your child to take loperamide (Imodium A-D). If the diarrhea is caused by food or a virus, the symptoms should improve after a couple of days without medication. Your child's care team might ask you to keep an eye on the symptoms, and help your child stay hydrated and stick to a more bland diet during this time. But if needed, their care team might recommend loperamide (Imodium A-D) for a short period of time. Keep in mind the OTC loperamide (Imodium A-D) should only be taken by children ages 6 years and older; the prescription-strength loperamide might be prescribed for children ages 2 years and older, under the guidance of their healthcare provider. Ask your child's healthcare team if you've more questions about whether your child needs loperamide (Imodium A-D).

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Loperamide (Imodium A-D) may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Loperamide (Imodium A-D). Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.

Loperamide (Imodium A-D)

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