Indications
Loperamide Hydrochloride is indicated for acute diarrhea, chronic diarrhea, abdominal cramps associated with diarrhea, Crohn's disease, postgastric surgery and ulcerative colitis.
⚠️ Always consult a registered physician before taking any medicine.
Pharmacology
Loperamide Hydrochloride slows the movement of the intestine. It acts on the longitudinal and circular smooth muscle, interacting with the cholinergic and noncholinergic neuronal mechanisms that produce the peristaltic reflex, and this reduces peristaltic activity. It binds to the opiate receptor in the gut wall, which reduces propulsive peristalsis and increases intestinal transit time. It also increases the tone of the anal sphincter. This also inhibits electrolyte and fluid secretion in the intestine.
Loperamide Hydrochloride is given by mouth as a capsule. More than 65% is absorbed, at a modest rate, and peak serum levels of 2-3 µgm/litre are reached about 4 hours after the dose. The remaining 35% leaves the body unchanged in the faeces. The medicine goes through extensive presystemic first-pass metabolism in the gut wall and in the liver. Because loperamide has a high affinity for the gut wall and is metabolised before it reaches the circulation, it does not act centrally. This is also why only a very small amount reaches the systemic circulation.
As for elimination, 0.63-1.4% appears in the urine as unchanged drug, 58% is excreted in the bile and 15-23% appears in the faeces.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Nobody has established that Loperamide is safe in human pregnancy. As with other drugs, it isn't advisable to give Loperamide during pregnancy. Only an extremely small fraction of Loperamide Hydrochloride passes into human breast milk, but caution is still advised if it is to be given to a nursing mother.
⚠️ Talk to your doctor before taking any medicine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
Dosage Reference
⚠️ Reference ranges from official sources only. Consult your doctor for personalized dosing.