WHAT ARE LOPERAMIDE 2MG CAPSULES?
Loperamide is a medicine used to treat both short-term and IBS diarrhoea. It helps control diarrhoea by slowing down an overactive bowel thus allowing the water and salts that would have been lost in diarrhoea to be reabsorbed by the body.
HOW TO TAKE LOPERAMIDE 2MG CAPSULES?
FOR SHORT TERM DIARRHOEA:
Adults and children over 12 years – Take 2 capsules to start treatment. Take one capsule after each loose bowel movement, up to a maximum of 6 capsules per day.
If diarrhoea lasts for longer than 48 hours, please consult your doctor.
FOR IBS DIARRHOEA WHICH HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED BY A DOCTOR:
Adults aged 18 and over: Take 2 capsules to start treatment. Take 1 capsule after each loose bowel movement, or as advised, up to a maximum of 6 per day.
This medicine can be used for up to 2 weeks for repeated attacks but do not take for any one attack for longer than 48 hours.
If symptoms change, get worse or do not improve after 2 weeks, please consult your GP. Make sure lost fluid is replaced by drinking more fluids than usual. This is especially important for children and the elderly.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE CAUTIONS OF TAKING LOPERAMIDE CAPSULES?
Do not take this medicine if you:
- are allergic to any of the ingredients
- are constipated or your stomach appears swollen (especially in children with severe dehydration)
- have acute dysentery, symptoms may include blood in stools and high temperature.
- it is for a child aged under 12 for acute diarrhoea or under 18 (for an IBS patient)
- are pregnant or breastfeeding
Please check with your doctor or pharmacist before using this treatment if you are unsure.
Loperamide may interact negatively with some medicines. Therefore, if you are taking other medications regularly, you should always consult your GP, pharmacist or the patient information leaflet to ensure this medicine is suitable for you to use.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE SIDE-EFFECTS OF LOPERAMIDE CAPSULES?
Like all medications, Loperamide 2mg capsules can cause side-effects, although not all patients will experience these.
Stop taking this treatment and seek medical help urgently if you get any of the following rare side-effects:
- Allergic reactions including unexplained wheezing, shortness of breath, passing out or swelling of face and throat.
- Skin rashes which include blistering and peeling of skin
- Loss of consciousness or uncoordinated movements
Other side-effects that may occur include:
- feeling sick
- constipation
- dry mouth
- vomiting
Further information about side-effects of loperamide can be found in the patient information leaflet provided with this treatment.
