Adult Dosing
Acute diarrhea
Imodium
- Start 4 mg PO x1; then 2 mg PO after each unformed stool
- Max: 16 mg/day
Chronic diarrhea
Imodium
- 4-8 mg/day PO div qd-tid
- Start 4 mg PO x1; then 2 mg PO after each unformed stool until achieving control; then individualize dose as per requirements
- Max: 16 mg/day
Treatment of diarrhea
Imodium A-D, loperamide
- Tablets, Capsules
- 4 mg PO x1; then 2 mg after each unformed stool; Max: 8 mg/24 hrs
- Oral suspension
- 30 mL PO x1, then 15 mL PO after each loose stool; Max 60 mL/24 hrs
- Oral solution
- 20 mL PO x1, then 10 mL PO after each loose stool; Max 40 mL/24 hrs for no more than 2 days
Treatment of diarrhea
Imodium A-D EZ Chews
- 4 mg PO x1; then 2 mg after each unformed stool; Max: 8 mg/24 hrs
Pediatric Dosing
Chronic diarrhea
- Safety and efficacy in pediatric patients for the treatment of chronic diarrhea have not been established
Acute diarrhea
Imodium
- First day dosage schedule
- 2-5 yrs, 13-20 kg: 1 mg PO tid. Max: 3 mg/day. May use SOLN 1 mg/5 mL or 1 mg/7.5 mL
- 6-8 yrs, 20-30 kg: 2 mg PO bid. Max: 4 mg/day
- 8-12 yrs, >30 kg: 2 mg PO tid. Max: 6 mg/day
- Subsequent daily dosage
- 1 mg/10 kg body weight PO, to be administered only after a loose stool
Note:
- Avoid exceeding total daily dosage beyond recommended dosages for the first day
Treatment of diarrhea
Imodium A-D, loperamide
- Tablets, Capsules
- 6-8 yrs, 48-59 lbs: 2 mg PO x1; then 1 mg after each subsequent loose stool; Max: 4 mg/24 hrs
- 9-11 yrs, 60-95 lbs: 2 mg PO x1; then 1 mg after each unformed stool; Max: 6 mg/24 hrs
- >12 yrs: 4 mg PO x1; then 2 mg after each unformed stool; Max: 8 mg/24 hrs
- Oral suspension
- 6-8 yrs, 48-59 lbs: 15 mL PO x1, then 7.5 mL PO after each loose stool; Max 30 mL/24 hrs
- 9-11 yrs, 60-95 lbs: 15 mL PO x1, then 7.5 mL PO after each loose stool; Max 45 mL/24 hrs
- >12 yrs: 30 mL PO x1, then 15 mL PO after each loose stool; Max 60 mL/24 hrs
- Oral solution
- 6-8 yrs, 48-59 lbs: 10 mL PO x1, then 5 mL PO after each loose stool; Max 20 mL/24 hrs for no more than 2 days
- 9-11 yrs, 60-95 lbs: 10 mL PO x1, then 5 mL PO after each loose stool; Max 30 mL/24 hrs for no more than 2 days
- >12 yrs: 20 mL PO x1, then 10 mL PO after each loose stool; Max 40 mL/24 hrs for no more than 2 days
Imodium A-D EZ Chews
- 6-8 yrs, 48-59 lbs: 2 mg PO x1; then 1 mg after each unformed stool; Max: 4 mg/24 hrs
- 9-11 yrs, 60-95 lbs: 2 mg PO x1; then 1 mg after each unformed stool; Max: 6 mg/24 hrs
- >12 yrs: 4 mg PO x1; then 2 mg after each unformed stool; Max: 8 mg/24 hrs
Children's Imodium A-D
- 6-8 yrs, 48-59 lbs: 15 mL PO x1, then 7.5 mL PO after each loose stool; Max 30 mL/24 hrs
- 9-11 yrs, 60-95 lbs: 15 mL PO x1, then 7.5 mL PO after each loose stool; Max 45 mL/24 hrs
- >12 yrs: 30 mL PO x1, then 15 mL PO after each loose stool; Max 60 mL/24 hrs
Chronic diarrhea [Non-FDA approved]
- 0.08-0.24 mg/kg/day PO divided bid-tid
- Max: 2 mg/dose
[Outline]
Imodium
Imodium A-D, Imodium A-D EZ Chews, loperamide
See Supplemental Patient Information
- Administer appropriate fluid and electrolytes as fluid and electrolyte depletion often occur in patients who have diarrhea. The use of loperamide does not preclude the need for appropriate fluid and electrolyte therapy
- Do not use when inhibition of peristalsis is to be avoided due to the possible risk of significant sequelae including ileus, megacolon and toxic megacolon. Discontinue the drug immediately if constipation, abdominal distention or ileus develop
- Loperamide provides only symptomatic treatment of diarrhea; hence, appropriate treatment should be given for any underlying etiology
- Toxic megacolon has been reported in AIDS patients when treated with loperamide for infectious colitis; hence, use cautiously and stop the therapy at the earliest signs of abdominal distention
- Advise patients to discontinue therapy and consult their physician if there is no improvement in 48 hours
- Use cautiously in patients with hepatic impairment because of reduced first pass metabolism; and closely monitor such patients for signs of CNS toxicity
- Very rare cases of allergic reactions including anaphylaxis and anaphylactic shock have been reported during therapy
Cautions: Use cautiously in
- Pediatric patients
- High environmental temperature
- Advanced HIV disease
Supplemental Patient Information
- Advise patients to consult their physician if their diarrhea gets worse or lasts for more than 48 hrs or if they note blood or mucus in their stools and develop a fever or abdominal distention
- Caution patients against driving a car or operating machinery because loperamide may cause tiredness, dizziness, or drowsiness
- Advise patients to drink plenty of clear fluids in order to prevent dehydration associated with diarrhea
Pregnancy Category:C
Breastfeeding: Loperamide use during breastfeeding is unlikely to affect the infant. This information is based upon LactMed database (available at http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/htmlgen?LACT last accessed 8 April 2011). As per manufacturer's data, loperamide is not recommended during breastfeeding.
US Trade Name(s)
- Imodium
- Imodium A-D
- Imodium A-D EZ Chews
- Children's Imodium A-D
US Availability
loperamide (generic)
- CAPS: 2 mg
- OTC CAPS: 1, 2 mg
- OTC TABS: 2 mg
- OTC SOLN: 1 mg/5 mL
- OTC SUSP: 1 mg/7.5 mL
Imodium
Imodium A-D
- OTC TABS: 2 mg
- OTC SOLN: 1 mg/5 mL
- OTC SUSP: 1 mg/7.5 mL
Imodium A-D EZ Chews
Children's Imodium A-D
Canadian Trade Name(s)
- Diarr-Eze
- Diarrhea Relief
- Imodium-Caplet
- Imodium calming liquid
- Imodium quick dissolve
- Loperacap
Canadian Availability
loperamide (generic)
- OTC TABS: 2 mg
- OTC SOLN: 0.2 mg/mL
Diarr-Eze
- OTC TABS: 2 mg
- OTC SOLN: 0.2 mg/mL
Diarrhea Relief
Imodium-Caplet, Imodium quick dissolve, Loperacap
Imodium calming liquid
UK Trade Name(s)
- Diocalm Ultra
- Imodium classic
- Imodium instant melts
- Imodium instants
- Imodium original
- Imodium syrup
- Value Health Diarrhoea Relief
UK Availability
loperamide (generic)
Diocalm Ultra, Imodium classic, Imodium original, Value Health Diarrhoea Relief
Imodium instant melts, Imodium instants
Imodium syrup
Australian Trade Name(s)
- Chemist's own diarrhoea relief
- Diacare
- Diareze
- Harmonise
- Imodium caplets
- Imodium melts
- Gastro-Stop
- Imodium capsules
- Lopedium
Australian Availability
Chemist's own diarrhoea relief
Diacare, Diareze, Harmonise, Imodium caplets, Imodium melts
Gastro-Stop, Imodium capsules, Lopedium
[Outline]
Pricing data from www.DrugStore.com in U.S.A.
- Imodium A-D 2 MG TABS [Bottle] (MCNEIL CONSUMER)
24 mg = $19.99
48 mg = $28.98
Warning: This pricing information is subject to change at the sole discretion of DS Pharmacy. For the most current and up-to-date pricing information, please visit drugstore.com.