Loperamide and alcohol: compatibility and consequences

Instructions for use

Pills

The medicine in tablet form is prescribed to patients with acute diarrhea. The initial dose is 4 mg. In the future, you should take 2 mg until the normal consistency of stool is restored.

In the chronic form of the disease, you first need to take 2 mg. Subsequently, the dosage is determined for each patient individually. The maximum permissible single dose should not be more than 12 mg. It is permissible to take no more than 16 mg per day.

Taking the drug in the absence of side effects continues until the frequency of bowel movements with solid feces is reached twice a day.

Capsules

Use capsules for acute diarrhea, no more than 3 mg per dose. After each bowel movement with liquid stool, take 2 mg. In the chronic form, the daily dosage is 4 mg.

In both cases, you can take no more than 16 mg per day.

For children

Loperamide in tablet form can be taken by children aged 4-8 years. The daily dose is no more than 4 mg. It needs to be divided into 4 times. Take within 72 hours. Children from 9 to 12 years old can take 2 mg 4 times a day for 5 days.

The medicine in capsule form is approved for use by children from 6 years of age. In the acute form of the disease, 2 mg is prescribed after each bowel movement with the release of liquid feces.

In the chronic form of the disease, you can take 2 mg per day. The maximum daily dose is 6 mg for every 20 kg of body weight.

#1 How does it work?

Loperamide is used to treat acute or chronic diarrhea.
Loperamide acts on opioid receptors in the intestinal wall, slowing down its contraction, increasing the transit time of intestinal contents through the digestive tract, and also enhancing the ability of the intestinal wall to absorb fluid. The stool becomes less watery and the number of bowel movements decreases.

Loperamide increases the tone of the anal sphincter, thereby reducing fecal incontinence and the urge to defecate.

Loperamide has no effect on the brain or central nervous system.

This drug suppresses the gastrocolic reflex and may directly inhibit (suppress) the secretion of fluids and electrolytes or stimulate the absorption (absorption) of salt and water.

Contraindications

In the process of taking the medicine, painful and other conditions were identified that were negatively affected by the medicine. In such conditions, you should immediately stop taking the drug. Before taking Loperamide, you should familiarize yourself with the list of contraindications and make sure that there are no such conditions.

Contraindications include:

• intestinal obstruction;
• individual increased susceptibility to the constituent components;
• acute ulcerative colitis;
• lactation period;
• 1st trimester of pregnancy;
• constipation;
• children under the age of 4-8 years (depending on the manufacturer).

#3 Disadvantages of loperamide

People 18 to 60 years of age who are not taking any medications or have other medical conditions are likely to experience the following side effects:

1. Constipation (as a consequence of taking more loperamide).
2. Dizziness or drowsiness, which may affect your ability to drive or operate machines.
3. Bloating, loss of appetite, abdominal pain and skin rash.

The drug may not be suitable for you in the following cases:

• with intestinal obstruction, abdominal pain without diarrhea, blood or mucus with diarrhea;
• with rare hereditary forms of galactose intolerance, Lapp lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption syndrome, since the capsules may contain lactose;
• during pregnancy and breastfeeding, except on the advice of a doctor.

Be careful!
In general, older adults and children, people with liver or kidney disease, heart disease, diabetes and seizures, and people taking other medications that interact with ibuprofen are at greater risk of developing a wide range of side effects.

Adverse reactions

The following negative effects may occur:

• allergy;
• bloating;
• weakness;
• gagging;
• difficult emptying;
• feeling of dry mouth;
• dizziness;
• discomfort and pain in the abdominal area.

In rare cases, there may be urinary retention.

#5 Recommendations

1. Loperamide can be taken with or without food.
2. When using loperamide, strictly follow the instructions and do not exceed the dosages indicated therein. Use the drug only for its intended purpose.
3. Drink more fluids, as during diarrhea the body loses a lot of water and becomes dehydrated.
4. Avoid overheating and dehydration while taking loperamide.
5. If loperamide makes you drowsy, do not drive or operate machinery. Avoid using loperamide with alcohol.
6. If diarrhea does not go away within 48 hours or worsens, bloating or stomach tenderness occurs, consult your doctor.

Be careful! Stop taking loperamide and get medical help right away if you develop rash, itching, facial swelling, difficulty breathing, bloating, blood in your stool, or severe dizziness.

Overdose

Cases of overdose with any form of the drug are possible. Appears as:

• problems with coordination;
• drowsiness;
• difficulty breathing;
• stupor;
• intestinal obstruction.

Naloxone is considered the antidote of the drug. Since the duration of action of the antidote is shorter than that of Loperamide, repeated administration may be necessary. In addition to Naloxone, other actions must be taken to help suppress the signs of overdose. Such measures include: cleansing the gastrointestinal tract, taking enterosorbents. In some cases, ventilation may be necessary.

Additional Information

Keep loperamide, like all other medicines, out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with other people, and use medicines only as directed.

Even if you find comprehensive information about your issue on this page, be sure to consult with your doctor to ensure that the information you receive actually applies to your individual circumstances.

Medmarket Pharmacy24 provides comprehensive and reliable information on issues of medicine, health and well-being, however, diagnosis and choice of treatment methods can only be made by your attending physician! Self-medication may be unsafe for your health. Medmarket Apteka24 is not responsible for possible negative consequences resulting from the use by users of apteka24.ua of the information posted on the site.

About the drug

Loperamide is available from any pharmacy without a prescription from a doctor.

Depending on the manufacturer, the cost of the drug may be different, but still quite small:

• Loperamide blister No. 10 (10 tablets or capsules) from 10 to 20 rubles;
• Loperamide Acri No10 – 20 rubles, No20 – 40 rubles;
• Loperamide STADA No10 – 25 rubles, No20 – 40 rubles;
• Loperamide No20 (manufactured in the Russian Federation) – 15 rubles.

Loperamide comes in two dosage forms - capsules and tablets, where it is presented in the form of hydrochloride. The mass of the active substance is 2 mg. The drug also contains starch, lactose, aerosil, magnesium stearate, silicon dioxide.

Concomitant treatment with cholestyramine may reduce the effectiveness of loperamide. Treatment with co-trimoxazole and ritonavir increases the absorption and effectiveness of loperamide.

Causes of alcoholic diarrhea

Composition and release form

Antidiarrheal medication is one of the most effective drugs that can quickly eliminate stool disorders. Loperamide is produced in two forms:

• flat cylindrical yellowish-white tablets, packed in blisters of 10 or 20 pieces;
• capsules with a white-green gelatin shell, filled with powder, 10 or 20 pieces per package.

The drug is not produced in the form of drops, injection solutions, or syrup.

The active component of the antidiarrheal medication is loperamide hydrochloride, at a dose of 2 mg. The concentration of the active substance is the same in tablets and capsules.

The drug is also equipped with the following auxiliary components:

• talc,
• starch,
• aerosilom,
• lactose,
• Mg stearate,
• gelatin (capsules),
• silicon dioxide.

Consequences

What are the consequences after taking Loperamide and alcohol? Although compatibility exists, you cannot take the pill with a strong drink. The active component of the drug does not perform its function. In addition, the consequences of Loperamide and alcohol may be as follows:

• the gastric mucosa is irritated;
• gastrointestinal diseases worsen;
• the load on the liver increases;
• the work of the cardiovascular system is enhanced;
• general health worsens.

In addition, the drug does not work 100%. It is impossible to get the desired result while taking medication and alcohol at the same time. So it is the patient who decides what is more important: to drink or undergo a therapeutic course. Doctors warn that such compatibility can negatively affect a person’s health and worsen his condition significantly.

Nosological classification (ICD-10)

There are different medications containing loperamide hydrochloride - Loperamide-Akri, Loperamide Akrikhin, Loperamide Stada, Loperamide Grindeks, Loperamide SVS, Stopex - they are all very similar in composition and similar to each other in medicinal properties.

Release form of Loperamide:

• round white tablets;
• capsules with gelatin shell.

In both varieties, the main element is loperamide hydrochloride – 2 mg.

To improve absorption into the blood, the following is added to the tablets:

• polyvidone;
• potato starch;
• lactose;
• stearic acid.

Other elements in capsules:

• talc;
• corn starch;
• silica;
• milk sugar;
• stearic acid.

The bioshell of the capsule consists of gelatin, titanium dioxide, and dyes.

Loperamide is also produced in drops, but in Russia they are not approved for sale, since self-medication often resulted in overdoses, leading to serious complications and even death.

Pharmacological properties

Indications

Loperamide is one of the most effective and safe antidiarrheal medications. It can be given to children for diarrhea. The remedy can eliminate disorders of various origins. It is especially effective in the treatment of acute and chronic diarrhea caused by:

• changes in diet or diet;
• long-term or inappropriate use of medications with antibacterial properties;
• radiation therapy;
• stress and emotional stress;
• functional disruptions in the gastrointestinal tract;
• irritable bowel syndrome;
• nonspecific ulcerative colitis.

Loperamide is prescribed for children with infectious diarrhea (as part of complex treatment), as well as for those who have undergone surgery on the gastrointestinal tract. The use of tablets is also indicated for small patients with ileostomy.

Loperamide, when used correctly, normalizes the child's stool, reduces the frequency of urges and improves well-being.

Do not give medicine without first consulting your doctor. The doctor will select the required dose depending on the cause of the disorder, the severity of the disease, age and other individual characteristics of the child’s body.

At what age can you take Loperamide?

The use of antidiarrheal medication in children is limited. Children are more sensitive to the effects of the drug. Treatment with Loperamide is contraindicated in newborns. If you give the pills to an infant, it can lead to paralysis of the intestinal muscles and even death.

Up to 12 years of age, the drug is used strictly as prescribed by the doctor. The medicine is usually not prescribed for children under 6 years of age, and for children under 2 years of age, as well as infants, Loperamide is prohibited.

Prevention of alcoholic diarrhea

• To prevent the occurrence of diarrhea, it is important to observe moderation in the consumption of alcoholic beverages, and, if possible, completely abstain from alcohol.
• It is unacceptable to take it on an empty stomach, in which case the negative effect on the digestive tract may be even more pronounced.
• After drinking any alcoholic beverages, regardless of strength and quantity, it is advisable to drink more liquid to prevent dehydration.

This is important to do even if there is no diarrhea.