What does it do?
Loperamide is used to treat or prevent diarrhoea.
How should you take it?
Take loperamide as directed.
Take the capsules and tablets with a glass of water.
Place the orodispersible tablets on your tongue to dissolve before swallowing.
Measure the liquid carefully with an oral syringe or measuring spoon.
What if you forget a dose?
Should an occasional dose be missed it need not be taken later.
Can you take other medicines?
Some medicines available without a prescription may react with loperamide including:
- laxatives (e.g. Laxsol®)
- anti-nausea medicines such as meclozine (e.g. Sea-legs®) and prochlorperazine (e.g. Buccastem®)
- antihistamines (also found in anti-allergy and cold/flu medicines)
Tell your pharmacist or doctor about all medicines or treatments that you may be taking, including vitamins, herbal products (e.g. aloe) or recreational drugs.
What side effects might you notice?
| Side Effects | Recommended action |
|---|---|
|
Stomach cramps, nausea, farting Dry mouth |
Tell your doctor if troublesome |
If you notice any other effects, discuss them with your doctor or pharmacist.
Other information:
- Tell your health professional if you have bowel or stomach problems.
- Tell your health professional if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
- Tell your health professional if you have phenylketonuria (PKU). The loperamide orodispersable tablet may contain aspartame (a source of phenylalanine).
- Do not take more than the stated dose. For adults this is usually up to a maximum of 8 tablets/capsules in 24 hours.
This leaflet contains important, but not all, information about this medicine.
Prepared by the PILs Committee at Christchurch Hospital, Canterbury District Health Board, New Zealand. May 2018
For more general information about this sheet and its contents, see: What does a My Medicines sheet cover?
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About My Medicines
My Medicines Patient Information Leaflets (PILs) contain important, but not all, information about the medicines they describe.
For more information about the sheets, see: What does a My Medicines sheet cover?
My Medicines is developed by a team at the Canterbury District Health Board. Our team is made up of doctors, pharmacists, and a non-medical person to help us keep to plain language. We also discuss our information with specialist health professionals or groups when needed