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Imodium is an over-the-counter (OTC) diarrhea medicine. It can be taken as soon as you notice symptoms. Loperamide is the active component of Imodium. It works by slowing down the contraction of the muscles in your intestines, resulting in harder stools. Imodium has a minimal risk of adverse effects if you follow the package directions. If adverse effects do occur, they are usually minor.
Sudden diarrhea (including traveler’s diarrhea) is treated with this drug. It works by slowing down the gut’s movement. This reduces the frequency of bowel motions while also making the feces less liquid. In patients who have had an ileostomy, loperamide is also used to minimize the volume of discharge. It’s also used to treat inflammatory bowel disease patients who have persistent diarrhea. Loperamide only cures the symptoms of diarrhea, not the cause (such as infection). Your doctor should assess the treatment for additional symptoms as well as the cause of the diarrhea.
How to use Imodium Liquid Oral Solution
If you’re self-treating using an over-the-counter treatment, make sure you read all of the guidelines on the packaging before using it. If your doctor has recommended this medicine, carefully follow his or her instructions as well as the instructions on the prescription label.
Take this medication by mouth as instructed by your doctor, generally after each loose stool. The dose is determined by your medical condition and treatment response. Children’s dose is also determined by their age and weight. Adults should not take more than 8 milligrams in 24 hours if self-medicating, or 16 milligrams if under the supervision of a doctor. If you’re taking the chewable pill, take it first thing in the morning. Before consuming the chewable pills, chew them well.
If you’re using the quickly dissolving tablets, dry your hands before gently removing a tablet from the blister pack. Do not pierce the blister pack with the pill. Place the pill on the tongue, let it completely dissolve, and then swallow it with saliva. Before taking the pill, do not crush, split, or break it. Remove the pill from the blister pack just right before you take it. This drug can be taken without water.
How Imodium/Loperamide Can Help in Diarrhea
Diarrhea is characterized by loose, watery feces (bowel movements). If you have loose feces three or more times in one day, you have diarrhea. Acute diarrhea is diarrhea that occurs suddenly. It’s a regular issue. It normally lasts one or two days, although it can last up to two weeks. It then leaves on its own.
Diarrhea that lasts longer than a few days might indicate a more serious condition. Chronic diarrhea, defined as diarrhea that lasts for more than four weeks, is a sign of a chronic illness. Chronic diarrhea symptoms might be persistent or intermittent.
Diarrhea affects people of all ages. Adults in the United States develop acute diarrhea on average once a year. It affects young children twice a year on average. Travelers’ diarrhea is a problem for those who visit underdeveloped nations. Consumption of tainted food or water causes it.
What can cause diarrhea?
Diarrhea is usually caused by a virus that enters your intestines. It is sometimes known as “intestinal flu” or “stomach flu.” Other common causes include:
Viruses: Norwalk virus (also known as norovirus), enteric adenoviruses, astrovirus, cytomegalovirus, and viral hepatitis are all viruses that can cause diarrhea. A major cause of acute diarrhea in children is rotavirus. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) virus has also been linked to gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Bacteria, parasites: Diarrhea can also be caused by E. coli or parasites transmitted by contaminated food or drink. Traveler’s diarrhea is a term used to describe diarrhea caused by germs and parasites when visiting underdeveloped nations. Another kind of bacteria that causes diarrhea is Clostridioides difficile (commonly known as C. diff), which can develop after taking antibiotics or during a hospital stay.
Medicines: Antibiotics, for example, are known to cause diarrhea. Antibiotics treat infections by eliminating the germs that cause them, but they also kill healthy bacteria. This upsets the bacteria’s normal equilibrium in your intestines, resulting in diarrhea or a secondary illness like Clostridioides difficile. Anti-cancer medications and magnesium antacids are two more drugs that induce diarrhea.
Does Imodium have side effects?
Dizziness, sleepiness, fatigue, or constipation are all possible side effects. Contact your doctor right away if any of these side effects continue or worsen.
Remember that if your doctor has recommended this drug, it means that the benefit to you outweighs the risk of adverse effects. Many people who use this medicine have no major adverse effects. If you have any extremely significant adverse effects, such as severe constipation/nausea/vomiting, stomach/abdominal pain, unpleasant fullness of the stomach/abdomen, fast/irregular heartbeat, severe dizziness, or fainting, stop taking this medicine and get medical attention right away.
This medicine seldom causes a severe allergic response. However, if you detect any symptoms of a major allergic response, such as a rash, itching/swelling (particularly of the face/tongue/throat), extreme dizziness, or problems breathing, seek medical attention immediately once.
Is Imodium safe for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers?
There hasn’t been enough study done to determine if Imodium is safe to take during pregnancy. Consult your doctor before taking Imodium if you are pregnant. Inquire about the medication’s safety during pregnancy.
Ask your doctor whether Imodium is okay for you if you’re nursing. Small levels of Imodium are known to transfer into breast milk, although this is unlikely to affect a breastfed kid. However, you should still seek medical advice before using Imodium.
Final thoughts
Imodium is an over-the-counter medication used to treat acute diarrhea. It includes loperamide, which acts by reducing gastrointestinal muscle spasms. Imodium can have adverse effects; however, they are usually minor. Always carefully follow the recommendations on the label when taking Imodium to decrease the risk of side effects.
Consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have any queries regarding Imodium. If your symptoms increase or your diarrhea lasts more than two days, get medical help.
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