
Precautions
What Are Side Effects of Imodium?
- severe constipation/ nausea / vomiting,
- stomach or abdominal pain, or
- uncomfortable fullness of the stomach or abdomen.
What are the side effects of taking too much Imodium?
You should not use Imodium A-D if you have ulcerative colitis, bloody or tarry stools, diarrhea with a high fever, or diarrhea caused by antibiotic medication. Do not take more than the recommended dose of this medicine. Misuse of loperamide can cause serious heart problems that could be fatal.
When not to use Imodium?
Is it bad to keep taking Imodium? Except for precautions taken with young children, pregnant women, and those with IBD, Imodium is considered to be a relatively safe, well-tolerated option for dealing with diarrhea. As the medication only acts on the digestive tract, there appears to be little risk associated with long-term or frequent use .
Is taking Imodium bad?
Talk with your doctor before taking Imodium if you have any of the following conditions: Do not take more than the maximum daily dosage of Imodium. Also, do not take it for longer than 2 days unless directed by a doctor to do so. You should see an improvement in your symptoms within 2 days.
How long can you safely take Imodium?

What happens to poop when you take IMODIUM?
IMODIUM® slows down the movement (contractions) in your intestine so that you pass firmer stools less often. But usually, the drug doesn't completely stop you from having bowel movements3. Constipation may occur. If so, stop taking IMODIUM® and consult your doctor if constipation is severe.
What does taking IMODIUM do?
Descriptions. Loperamide is used to control and relieve the symptoms of acute diarrhea. It is also used to treat chronic diarrhea in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Loperamide helps stop diarrhea by slowing down the movements of the intestines.
How does IMODIUM make you feel?
Some people experience drowsiness after taking Imodium. If you're taking Imodium for the first time, avoid potentially risky activities, such as driving, until you know how your body will react. It's also advisable to avoid alcohol when taking Imodium.
What are the negative effects of IMODIUM?
A number of the adverse events reported during the clinical investigations and post- marketing experience with loperamide are frequent symptoms of the underlying diarrheal syndrome (abdominal pain/discomfort, nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, tiredness, drowsiness, dizziness, constipation, and flatulence).
How long after IMODIUM will I poop?
How long does loperamide take to work? Loperamide usually starts to work within 1 hour to make your diarrhoea better.
Is it better to take IMODIUM or not?
Although acute diarrhea generally resolves on its own, treating with IMODIUM® products relieves symptoms more quickly than letting diarrhea run its natural course. Speak to your physician if you have any questions or concerns.
Does IMODIUM settle your stomach?
IMODIUM® Dual Action tablets work to relieve diarrhoea effectively, while also soothing painful cramps, uncomfortable bloating and embarrassing wind. They contain an additional ingredient called Simeticone, which helps to ease excess gas.
Should I let diarrhea run its course?
Since diarrhea is your body's way of getting rid of toxins, it is best to let it run its course. However, you may use over-the-counter antidiarrheal remedies for convenience, including: Attapulgite (Kaopectate) Loperamide (Imodium)
What stops diarrhea fast?
What stops diarrhea fast? Diarrhea can be stopped quickly with OTC medicines such as loperamide (Imodium) and Pepto-Bismol (bismuth subsalicylate).
Is it OK to take one Imodium every day for IBS?
Yes, OTC anti-diarrhea medications, such as Imodium, Pepto-Bismol, and Kaopectate, can relieve diarrhea in people with IBS. However, these drugs can have side effects and they're meant to be used only short-term. If you have IBS, talk to your doctor about the best medication options to treat your diarrhea.
What happens if I take loperamide every day?
About the only problem you can get with loperamide is constipation and that usually means you are taking too much.
Before Taking This Medicine
You should not use Imodium if you are allergic to loperamide, or if you have: 1. stomach pain without diarrhea; 2. diarrhea with a high fever; 3. u...
How Should I Take Imodium?
Use Imodium exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor.Imodium is safe when used as directed. TAKING TOO MUCH LOPERAMIDE CAN...
Imodium Dosing Information
Usual Adult Dose for Diarrhea -- Acute:4 mg orally after the first loose stool, then 2 mg orally after each unformed stoolMaximum dose: 16 mg per d...
What Happens If I Miss A Dose?
Since Imodium is used when needed, it does not have a daily dosing schedule. Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after using this medi...
What Happens If I Overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. An overdose of loperamide can be fatal.Overdose symptoms may inclu...
What Should I Avoid While Taking Imodium?
Avoid drinking tonic water. It can interact with loperamide and may cause serious heart problems.Avoid becoming dehydrated by drinking plenty of fl...
What Other Drugs Will Affect Imodium?
Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medications at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you take. Ask a doctor...
How long does it take for imodium to work?
Drink plenty of liquids while you are taking this medicine. It may take up to 48 hours of taking Imodium A-D before your symptoms improve. Keep using the medication as directed and tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 10 days of treatment.
How should I take Imodium A-D?
Use Imodium A-D exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor.
What is Imodium A-D?
Imodium A-D (loperamide) slows the rhythm of digestion so that the small intestines have more time to absorb fluid and nutrients from the foods you eat.
What other drugs will affect Imodium A-D?
Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medications at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you take. Ask a doctor or pharmacist about safely using medications together.
How to take loperamide?
This medicine doses in children are based on the child's age. Take Imodium A-D with a full glass of water. Diarrhea can cause your body to lose fluids and electrolytes. Drink plenty of liquids to keep from getting dehydrated.
How to take a chewable tablet?
Take the chewable tablet on an empty stomach (1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal) Shake the oral suspension (liquid) before you measure a dose.
What are the symptoms of overdose?
Overdose symptoms may include fast or irregular heartbeats, or fainting. A person caring for you should seek emergency medical attention if you pass out and are hard to wake up.
How long does it take for Imodium to work?
Imodium typically starts to control diarrhea within 1 hour after you’ve taken the first dose.
Why does imodium cause diarrhea?
And it’s most often caused by a stomach bug or food poisoning. Typically, Imodium is used for acute diarrhea. Chronic (ongoing) diarrhea. This type of diarrhea lasts for more than 4 weeks. And it’s usually related to long-term bowel conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or Crohn’s disease.
What should I not take with Imodium?
However, there aren’t any foods, vitamins, herbs, or supplements known to interact with Imodium.
Is misusing Imodium dangerous?
Yes, misusing Imodium can be very dangerous. (Misuse is also sometimes called abuse.)
What should I do if I’m still having diarrhea after taking Imodium?
If you’re still having diarrhea after your first dose of Imodium, take another dose after each loose stool that follows. But only take doses up to the maximum daily dose. For more information about this, see the “ Imodium dosage ” section above.
Will I be able to poop after I take Imodium?
Yes, you should be able to. Imodium slows down the contractions in your intestine so that you pass firmer stools less often. But usually, the drug doesn’t completely stop you from having bowel movements.
Is Imodium safe to use?
Yes, Imodium is generally considered to be a very safe drug when it’s taken correctly. (This means it’s taken according to the instructions on its product label or as instructed by your doctor.)
Does loperamide cause side effects?
Side effects requiring immediate medical attention. Along with its needed effects, loperamide (the active ingredient contained in Imodium) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention. Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur ...
Does loperamide need medical attention?
Side effects not requiring immediate medical attention. Some side effects of loperamide may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.
Is loperamide hydrochloride safe for children?
Loperamide hydrochloride is contraindicated in pediatric patients less than 2 years of age. Avoid loperamide hydrochloride dosages higher than recommended in adults and pediatric patients 2 years of age and older due to the risk of serious cardiac adverse reactions.
How long does it take for imodium to work?
Keep in mind that Imodium will be at its highest level of effectiveness approximately 16 to 24 hours after you take it.
What are the side effects of a syringe?
When side effects do occur, they tend to be only digestive in nature: 1 1 Abdominal pain or cramping 2 Bloating 3 Constipation 4 Nausea 5 Vomiting
What is the best medicine for diarrhea?
Imodium is a medication that is effective in reducing the symptoms of diarrhea. 1 Specifically, Imodium works in the following ways:
Why can't I slow down my bowel movements?
coli . With a bacterial infection, you don't want to slow down the bowel because you want to help the body eliminate the infectious agent as quickly as possible. 1 .
Is Imodium a toxic megacolon?
The use of antidiarrheal medications such as Imodium places IBD patients at risk for the development of toxic megacolon, a potentially life-threatening disorder. 3 . Toxic Megacolon Is a Rare but Serious Complication of IBD.
Does imodium cause addiction?
Common Side Effects. Imodium tends to be well-tolerated and to cause minimal side effects. This is because it works primarily within the large intestine. Very little of the medication enters the bloodstream and it does not cross the blood-brain barrier, thus there is no risk of addiction.
Is imodium safe for pregnant women?
Except for precautions taken with young children, pregnant women, and those with IBD, Imodium is considered to be a relatively safe, well-tolerated option for dealing with diarrhea. As the medication only acts on the digestive tract, there appears to be little risk associated with long-term or frequent use.
What are the side effects of imodium?
An Imodium overdose can lead to a range of side effects. Some are mildly uncomfortable, while others can be deadly. Overdose symptoms can include: 1 Stomach pain 2 Constipation 3 Rapid or irregular pulse 4 Big pupils 5 Drowsiness 6 Dizziness 7 Fainting 8 Unconsciousness 9 Problems urinating and kidney failure
What to do if you overdose on imodium?
If you suspect an Imodium overdose, you should seek emergency medical attention to avoid potentially fatal consequences.
How many mg of imodium should be in a package?
To help avoid an Imodium overdose, the FDA requires that each Imodium package contains no more than 48 mg total of the drug and that doses be individually packaged.
Does imodium cause kidney damage?
Kidney damage risk: Because Imodium slows down the gastrointestinal system, unintended effects like kidney damage can occur when the bladder cannot fully empty. Cognitive risk: Although Imodium does not readily enter the brain at low doses, at high doses, it can get into the brain and cause effects like drowsiness and dizziness.
Can Imodium cause heart problems?
When someone experiences an Imodium overdose, the consequences and complications can be deadly. Imodium carries several risks when taken in excessive quantities, including: Cardiovascular risk: Imodium can cause an irregular heartbeat that can be fatal. Kidney damage risk: Because Imodium slows down the gastrointestinal system, ...
Is it safe to take more imodium than recommended?
For this reason, it is dangerous to take more Imodium than recommended on the package labeling or by your doctor.
Can Imodium cause diarrhea?
Imodium, the brand name for the over-the-counter drug loperamide, is a common remedy for diarrhea. However, it can also be abused by people who take it recreationally to get high or who take it in an attempt to ward off opioid withdrawal symptoms.
How should I take loperamide?
Use exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor.
What is the purpose of a loperamide?
Loperamide is used to treat diarrhea. Loperamide is also used to reduce the amount of stool in people who have an ileostomy (re-routing of the bowel through a surgical opening in the stomach). Loperamide may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I avoid while taking loperamide?
Avoid drinking tonic water. It can interact with loperamide and may cause serious heart problems.
How to contact Poison Help?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. An overdose of loperamide can be fatal.
What are the side effects of a syringe?
Common side effects may include: constipation; dizziness, drowsiness; nausea; or. stomach cramps.
Can you give a child loperamide?
Always follow directions on the medicine label about giving loperamide to a child. A safe dose of loperamide is different for an adult than for a child. Doses in children are based on the child's age. Take loperamide with a full glass of water. Diarrhea can cause your body to lose fluids and electrolytes.
Can you chew loperamide?
The loperamide chewable tablet must be chewed before swallowing.
What happens if you take too much imodium?
If you take too much Imodium, it can cause serious heart problems and even death.
What are the side effects of imodium?
Common side effects include constipation, feeling dizzy or nauseous, and having a headache.
How long does it take for imodium to work?
It will take at least 48 hours for the Imodium to start working, so don’t worry if you continue to have diarrhea for the first couple of days that you’re taking the medication.
What is imodium A-D?
Imodium A-D (made from the drug loperamide) is an antidiarrheal medication will treat diarrhea. It’s commonly sold over the counter. If you have had diarrhea for more than 2–3 days and over-the-counter treatments haven’t had much of an effect, visit your doctor and ask if they are willing to prescribe you a higher dose of Imodium. The drug comes either as solid pills or as a liquid that will come in a plastic bottle with a plastic spoon used to measure out the correct dosage. Take only the amount that your doctor prescribed to you, as taking more and overdosing can cause negative side effects or death.
How to avoid dehydration when taking imodium?
To avoid dehydrating yourself, drink plenty of water when you take your daily Imodium dosage. Fill up a glass with water and drink the entire thing either before or after you’ve swallowed the dose of Imodium. In general, while you’re taking Imodium, drink plenty of liquids to keep your body well hydrated.
How to measure Imodium?
If the pharmacy sold you liquid Imodium, the plastic bottle of liquid Imodium should have come with a plastic spoon with milliliters marked on the side. Pour out that exact amount into the plastic spoon. Set the tip of the spoon between your lips, and pour the medicine into your mouth.
Is Imodium the same strength as a prescription?
Not all Imodium pills are the same strength, so if you had the prescription filled at a different pharmacy than usual, read the bottle to check the prescription strength.
Does imodium cause respiratory depression?
This is called respiratory depression .
Is imodium safe for IBS?
It can help with short term diarrhea or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Imodium was thought to be a very safe medication until recently. According to a 2020 case report published in Cureus, the use of lmodium as an inexpensive opioid alternative is increasing. Imodium can cause problems with long-term use. Chat Now.
Can imodium cause heart problems?
Heart Problems. The 2020 case report published byCureus indicates that Imodium mis use and abuse can cause irregular heartbeat. The FDA warns that Imodium at higher doses can cause QT interval prolongation, which means it takes longer for your heart to recharge between beats. Cardiac arrest is also a possible result of loperamide abuse, ...
Is imodium bad for you?
Abusing Imodium can be bad for your body. Here are the most common long term effects of Imodium abuse. Imodium, or loperamide hydrochloride, is intended to treat loose stools, according to the United Kingdom’s National Health Service. It can help with short term diarrhea or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Imodium was thought to be ...
Does loperamide have a euphoric effect?
The 2020 case report published by Cureus found that large quantities of loperamide are needed to achieve euphoric opioid effects. Loperamide's over-the-counter availability has resulted in more cases of loperamide substance use disorder.
