Loperamide Suspension

What is this medication?

LOPERAMIDE (loe PER a mide) treats occasional diarrhea. It works by slowing down an overactive bowel, which decreases the number of bowel movements you have. It belongs to a group of medications called antidiarrheals. It is often used for a short period of time.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Imodium A-D

What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• Alcohol use
• Bowel blockage
• Fever
• Heart disease
• Heart failure
• High or low levels of electrolytes, such as magnesium or potassium, in your blood
• Irregular heartbeat or rhythm
• Liver disease
• Slow heart beat
• Stomach or intestine problems, such as colitis
• Stomach pain when you do not have diarrhea
• Stomach swelling or bulging
• Stool that is black, bloody, or contains mucus
• An unusual or allergic reaction to loperamide, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• Pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• Breastfeeding

How should I use this medication?

Take this medication by mouth with water. Take it as directed on the label. Shake well before using. Use a specially marked oral syringe, spoon, or dropper to measure each dose. Ask your pharmacist if you do not have one. Household spoons are not accurate. Do not take it more often than directed.

Talk to your care team about the use of this medication in children. While it may be given to children as young as 2 years for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

This does not apply. This medication is not for regular use. It should only be used as needed.

What may interact with this medication?

Do not take this medication with any of the following:

• Certain medications for fungal infections, such as fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole, posaconazole, voriconazole
• Cisapride
• Dronedarone
• Levoketoconazole
• Pimozide
• Thioridazine

This medication may also interact with the following:

• Certain antibiotics, such as moxifloxacin
• Certain medications for mental health conditions, such as haloperidol or ziprasidone
• Certain medications for HIV or hepatitis, such as ritonavir or saquinavir
• Certain medications for irregular heartbeat, such as amiodarone, quinidine, procainamide, sotalol
• Gemfibrozil
• Other medications that cause heart rhythm changes, such as methadone or pentamidine

Other medications may affect the way this medication works. Talk with your care team about all the medications you take. They may suggest changes to your treatment plan to lower the risk of side effects and to make sure your medications work as intended.

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medication?

Visit your care team for regular checks on your progress. Tell your care team if your symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse. If you need to use this medication for more than 2 days, talk to your care team.

Talk to your care team right away if you have black or bloody stools or develop a fever or swollen stomach.

Drink water often to prevent dehydration that may occur with diarrhea. Eat fruits and veggies that have a high water content.

This medication may affect your coordination, reaction time, or judgment. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you. Sit up or stand slowly to reduce the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Drinking alcohol with this medication can increase the risk of these side effects.

Your mouth may get dry. Chewing sugarless gum or sucking hard candy and drinking plenty of water may help. Contact your care team if the problem does not go away or is severe.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?

Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:

• Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Constipation, bloating, nausea or vomiting, stomach pain, which may be signs of slow movement through the digestive tract
• Heart rhythm changes—fast or irregular heartbeat, dizziness, feeling faint or lightheaded, chest pain, trouble breathing

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):

• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Dry mouth
• Gas

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where should I keep my medication?

Keep out of the reach of children and pets.

Store at room temperature between 20 and 25 degrees C (68 and 77 degrees F). Get rid of any unused medication after the expiration date.

To get rid of medications that are no longer needed or have expired:

• Take the medication to a take-back program. Check with your pharmacy or law enforcement to find a location.
• If you cannot return the medication, check the label or package insert to see if the medication should be thrown out in the garbage or flushed down the toilet. If you are not sure, ask your care team. If it is safe to put it in the trash, empty the medication out of the container. Mix it with cat litter, dirt, coffee grounds, or another unwanted substance. Seal the mixture in a bag or container. Put it in the trash.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.