Dosage for adults
In acute cases of diarrhea, 4mg of loperamide (active ingredient in Imodium®) should be taken first. After each new liquid bowel movement 2mg Loperamide should be taken again. The maximum dose in one day should not exceed 16mg loperamide.
If the bowel movement returns to normal or if no further bowel movement has occurred over a period of 12 hours, the therapy with Imodium® must be terminated. In total, Imodium® should not be taken for more than two days. If there is no improvement by then, a doctor must be consulted.
The dose for children depends on age and body weight. The use of Imodium® is prohibited for children under the age of two. For children between 6 and 12 years of age: In case of acute diarrhea, 2mg of loperamide should be taken first.
After each new liquid bowel movement, 2mg of loperamide should be taken again. The maximum dose in one day must not exceed 6 mg loperamide per 20 kg body weight (example: for a child weighing 40 kg the maximum dose per day is 12 mg). Especially in children, diarrheal diseases very quickly lead to a life-threatening loss of fluids and salts. If it is not possible to supply children with sufficient fluids, a hospital must be contacted at an early stage to administer infusions to the children.
Products with Imodium
With regard to the side effects of Imodium®, a distinction can be made between frequent and rare side effects. The most common side effects are the following: Rare can be observed:
- Dry mouth
- Headache, dizziness
- Nausea, vomiting
- Flatulence, abdominal cramps, colic
- Constipation
- Allergic reactions with skin rash, itching or even life-threatening allergic skin reactions (Stevens-Johnson syndrome, Lyell syndrome, erythema multiforme)
- Intestinal obstruction (ileus)
- Megacolon with colon dilatation and impaired intestinal transport
- Urinary retention (urination no longer possible)
- Clouding of consciousness (drowsiness)
Driving while taking loperamide is not prohibited, but it should be avoided for safety’s sake if you feel weak or dizzy during diarrheal diseases. Imodium must not be taken with: constipation allergy to Loperamide intestinal diseases with the risk of intestinal obstruction (colon polyps, intestinal cancer) diarrhoea after taking antibiotics (pseudomembranous colitis) diarrhoea in the context of chronic inflammatory intestinal diseases (ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease) diarrhoea caused by certain bacteria (Shigella, Salmonella, Campylobacter) diarrhoea associated with fever and bloody diarrhoea
- Constipation
- Allergy to loperamide
- Bowel diseases with the risk of intestinal obstruction (colon polyps, colon cancer)
- Diarrhea after antibiotics (pseudomembranous colitis)
- Diarrhea in the context of chronic inflammatory bowel diseases (ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease)
- Diarrhoea caused by certain bacteria (Shigella, Salmonella, Campylobacter)
- Diarrhea, which is accompanied by fever and bloody diarrhea
- Liver diseases with limited liver function
