Loperamide hydrochloride. Loperamide hydrochloride - instructions for use

What is the drug "Loperamide hydrochloride"? An exhaustive answer to this question can be found in the materials of this article. In addition, we will tell you in detail about how to take this medication, when and in what dosage.

general information

The drug "Loperamide hydrochloride" is a symptomatic drug, which is often used to treat acute and chronic diarrhea. Such a drug is dispensed without a doctor's prescription and is sold in almost every pharmacy at a very reasonable price.

pharmachologic effect

The drug "Loperamide hydrochloride", the instruction to which is enclosed in cardboard packaging, reduces the motor and tone of the smooth muscles of the intestine, and also inhibits the peristalsis of this organ, significantly increasing the time of passage of its contents. Thus, the medicament presented has antidiarrheal action. It should be specially noted that the drug "Loperamide hydrochloride" starts to act very quickly. After taking this medication inside, the therapeutic effect lasts approximately 4-6 hours.

Pharmacokinetics

Such a drug is absorbed into the digestive tract rather badly (about 40%). Due to the high similarity with intestinal wall receptors, as well as the high degree of biological transformation, the plasma level of the unmodified component after taking 2 mg of the agent (1 capsule) is less than 2 ng / ml at the first passage through the liver. The maximum concentration of the active substance after the use of the solution is reached after approximately 2.5 hours, and after the capsules - after 5 hours. Binding to plasma proteins occurs in 97%. This drug is metabolized in the liver, and is partially excreted in the urine, in the form of conjugates with bile, and also with feces.

Form of release of a medicament and its composition

The drug "Loperamide hydrochloride", the use of which is described below, goes on sale as:

• Substance-powder for the preparation of solution.
• Tablets of 2 mg, which are placed in a cardboard package of 50, 30, 20 or 10 pieces.
• Capsule of 2 mg, placed in a package of 30, 20 or 10 pieces.
• Gelatine hard capsules are yellow, which contain a white powder with an active ingredient - loperamide hydrochloride. Each capsule contains 2 mg of active substance. In addition, the presented drug contains in its composition and auxiliary components: talcum, corn starch, lactose, magnesium stearate and colloidal silicon dioxide. Gelatin capsules go on sale in a cardboard package of 20 or 10 pieces.

Where is the active ingredient of loperamide hydrochloride still contained? The use of this substance in pharmacology makes it possible to produce medicines such as Imodium and Dyara. However, its percentage in these drugs is much less than in the above-mentioned medication.

Drug "Loperamide hydrochloride": what is it intended for?

According to the instructions, this drug should be taken in the following cases:

• To normalize the stool with ileostomy.
• With disturbed metabolism and intestinal absorption, which are caused by a sharp and dramatic change in diet or the usual composition of food (for example, during a diet, on a journey).
• As an auxiliary preparation for infectious diarrhea.
• As symptomatic therapy for acute or chronic diarrhea (allergic, radiation, drug or emotional origin).

Contraindications to the use of medicament

When should I not use Loperamide (tablets)? The instruction of this medication states that it is not recommended for use with:

• Intestinal obstruction;
• Diarrhea, which was caused by dysentery, acute pseudomembranous enterocolitis or other infections of the digestive tract;
• Diverticulosis;
• Acute ulcerative colitis;
• Hypersensitivity.

It should also be noted that such antidiarrhoeal drugs for children should be prescribed only after 4 years. In addition, according to the instructions, the drug "Loperamide" is contraindicated in the first trimester of pregnancy and during lactation. With special care this drug is prescribed for liver failure.

Medicinal product "Loperamide hydrochloride": instructions for use

Tablets and capsules of this drug should be taken orally, without chewing. The dosage of such a drug depends on the severity of the disease and the age of the patient.

In acute diarrhea, adults receive 4 mg of the drug as the first dose, and then 2 mg after each defecation (if the stool is still liquid).

In chronic diarrhea, the first dosage should be 2 mg. Supportive therapy for adults should be designed so that the frequency of the patient's stool was 1 or 2 times a day. The maximum daily dosage is 16 mg.

The therapeutic effect of taking such a drug develops within 48 hours. If, for 2-4 days, using up to 16 mg of the drug every day, you can not achieve the desired result, you should definitely consult a doctor who will reconsider the diagnosis he has made. The use of the drug can be repeated, but only if the specific treatment or compliance with the diet does not normalize the stool.

As for children, this drug should be prescribed only after 4 years. Its dosage also depends on the age of the patient and the severity of the disease.

To children from 4 to 7 years of age, the drug should be given 3-4 times a day for 1 mg. The duration of therapy is 3 days. Children from 7 to 12 years are appointed four times a day for 1 tablet for 5 days. In acute diarrhea, the initial dosage for infants should be 1 capsule. The maximum daily dose for infants is 8 mg.

If a child has a loose stool after each act of defecation for a long time, then each time he should give 1 capsule, but not more than 6 mg per 20 kg of weight per day. If the baby does not go to the toilet for more than 12 hours, and also after the normalization of the stool, it is recommended to stop taking the medication presented.

An overdose of the drug

When an overdose of this drug in the patient can be observed the following deviations:

• Violations in the coordination of movements;
• Narrowing of the pupils;
• stupor;
• drowsiness;
• Increased muscle tone of the skeleton;
• Intestinal obstruction;
• Depressed breathing.

To treat such pathological conditions, doctors often use the drug "Naloxone" with simultaneous symptomatic therapy.

Side effects

It should be specially noted that after the application of the drug "Loperamide hydrochloride", patients may experience various side effects. Especially often they occur with prolonged use of the medication. So, the presented drug can cause the following side effects:

• flatulence;
• Electrolyte disturbances;
• Vomiting;
• Intestinal colic;
• dizziness;
• Gastralgia;
• nausea;
• Hypovolemia;
• drowsiness;
• Dry mouth.

In young children, this drug most often causes discomfort in the abdomen, as well as skin rash. Very rarely, the drug "Loperamide hydrochloride" can promote the retention of urine or intestinal obstruction.

If after 2 days these phenomena do not disappear and the patient does not feel better, you should definitely consult a doctor who should prescribe another (similar) drug. If such a drug does not help you, then it is better to check for the infection that caused diarrhea.

Drug Interactions

According to the instructions, while using the drugs "Loperamide hydrochloride" and "Kolestyramin", the efficiency of the first one may decrease. If you need to use this drug with "Co-trimoxazole" or "Ritonavir", you should know that its bioavailability is significantly increased.

special instructions

The drug "Loperamide hydrochloride" should be taken with extreme caution in case of liver failure. Also it is not recommended to use it in such clinical situations, when it is necessary to suppress intestinal peristalsis. In the absence of proper therapeutic effect 2 days after the application of this drug, it is desirable to clarify the diagnosis of the doctor and exclude the infectious genesis of diarrhea.