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Loperamide

Medication Information Leaflet

What is this medication for?

Loperamide is used to treat diarrhoea. It works by slowing down the movement of stools in your bowels.

How should I take or use this medication?

You may take this medication with or without food.

What should I do if I forget to take or use this medication?

Most of the time, this medicine is taken on an as needed basis. Do not exceed the recommended dose given by your healthcare professional.

What precautions should I take when taking or using this medication?

Inform your healthcare professional if:

You are allergic to this medication or any of the other ingredients of this medication.
You are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding .
You are taking any other medications, including supplements, traditional medications and herbal remedies.
You have any heart conditions, including those associated with irregular heart rhythm or liver disease.
Ensure you continue to take sufficient fluid and electrolytes while experiencing diarrhoea to prevent dehydration and electrolyte imbalance.

What are some common side effects of this medication?

Common side effects of loperamide include dizziness, passing gas, headache and nausea.

If these occur or should any unusual signs and symptoms occur during the use of this medication consult your healthcare professional.

What are some rare but serious side-effects that I need to seek medical advice immediately?

Consult your healthcare professional should you experience fever, blood in your stool and/or should symptoms not go away even with treatment.
Irregular heartbeat and fainting have rarely been reported with the use of loperamide. If these occur consult your medical professional.

The symptoms of a drug allergy include one or more of the following:

Swollen face/eyes/lips/tongue
Difficulty in breathing
Skin rashes

If you experience any of these symptoms, you should stop your medication and see your healthcare professional immediately.

What food or medication should I avoid when I take or use this medication?

Inform your healthcare professional if you are taking any other medication, including supplements, traditional medications and herbal remedies.

How should I store this medication?

Store in a cool and dry place, away from direct sunlight. Keep this medication away from children.

How do I throw away this medication safely?

For general waste: Pack this medication into a black trash bag and seal it tightly before throwing into the rubbish chute or bin.

Disclaimer

Please take note that the above is not a complete list of all possible side effects. If you have any concerns about your medication or if you have other side effects that you think are caused by this medication, please consult your doctor or pharmacist.

If you take more than the recommended dose, please seek medical advice immediately. The information provided on this page does not replace information from your healthcare professional. Please consult your healthcare professional for more information.

This article is jointly developed by members of the National Medication Information workgroup. The workgroup consists of cluster partners (National Healthcare Group, National University Health System and SingHealth), community pharmacies (Guardian, Unity and Watsons) and Pharmaceutical Society of Singapore. The content does not reflect drug availability and supply information in pharmacies and healthcare institutions. You are advised to check with the respective institutions for such information.

Last updated on September 2022

This article was last reviewed on Thursday, June 22, 2023