Imodium Capsule 2mg

Imodium Capsule Uses

Imodium is an antidiarrheal medication composed of Loperamide. It is used to treat severe chronic and acute diarrhea. It is also indicated for the treatment of traveler's diarrhea. Loperamide also has an off-label use to treat chemotherapy-induced diarrhea.

Imodium Capsule 2mg formula

• Loperamide

Available forms

• Capsules

Risks and warnings

You should know the risks and warnings of Imodium capsule to prevent its misuse.

There are some specific circumstances under which the use of certain medications is contraindicated or considered dangerous. So when taking any medicine it's always a good practice to familiarize yourself with its risks and warnings.

The risks and warnings associated with Imodium capsule are:

• Allergy or Hypersensitivity

If you are allergic to loperamide, do not take Imodium, or any other medicine with the same generic name because it can result in a life-threatening condition called anaphylactic shock. Always inform your healthcare provider about the documented allergies you have.

• Infectious Diarrhea

Loperamide can worsen infectious diarrhea. A common symptom of infectious diarrhea is fever. Therefore if you have a fever with diarrhea, be cautious about taking Imodium capsules. Instead, consult your healthcare provider and follow their advice.

• Abnormal Heart Rhythm

If you have a history of abnormal heart rhythm or torsades de pointes, you should avoid Imodium intake. However, sometimes your healthcare providers prescribe it depending on the risk versus benefit ratio.

• Abnormal EKG

If you have a complaint of seizures, epilepsy, or a history of abnormal EKG, you should use Imodium with caution.

• Intestinal Paralysis

If you have a complaint of intestinal paralysis, you should take Imodium with caution as it can worsen the preexisting condition.

• Bloody Diarrhea

If you have diarrhea with blood and fever, it could be due to Dysentery. In that case, you should avoid taking Imodium.

• Kidney disease

If your kidneys are not functioning well, your healthcare provider may prescribe milder supplements, or lower dosages, to not overwhelm your kidneys.

• Liver diseases

The liver does the metabolism and excretion of drugs in the body. However, in cases where the liver is not working efficiently due to failure or disease, drugs get accumulated in the body. That jeopardizes the health of the person. Thus, people with liver failure should take medicines like Imodium with caution. 

How to use Imodium Capsule 2mg?

• Take the capsule by mouth with a glass of water
• Do not crush or chew the capsule
• Follow the dosage instructions of your doctor
• Take it along with meals
• Do not exceed the prescribed dosage
• Do not use the medicine after the expiry date has passed
• For adults, the recommended initial dose is 4mg or two capsules, followed by 2mg or one capsule, after each unformed stool. 
• The daily dose should not exceed 16mg, a total of eight capsules. If you do not get relief from diarrhea even after consuming a total of 16 capsules, consult with your healthcare provider and do not take more capsules of Imodium. 

Imodium Side Effects

The common side effects of Imodium capsule are:

• Dry mouth
• Flatulence
• Abdominal cramp
• Colic

Drug Interactions

Imodium can interact with the following medications:

• Drugs that can cause constipation, including anticholinergics such as belladonna or scopolamine
• Antispasmodics, such as glycopyrrolate or oxybutynin
• Potent opioid pain medicines such as morphine
• Certain antihistamines such as diphenhydramine
• Tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline
• Cholestyramine
• Ritonavir and saquinavir

Storage Conditions

• Store the medicine at room temperature
• Keep out of reach and sight of children
• Protect it from sunlight and moisture