Imodium
Imodium: instructions for use and reviews
- 1. Release form and composition
- 2. Pharmacological properties
- 3. Indications for use
- 4. Contraindications
- 5. Method of application and dosage
- 6. Side effects
- 7. Overdose
- 8. Special instructions
- 9. Application during pregnancy and lactation
- 10. Use in childhood
- 11. For violations of liver function
- 12. Drug interactions
- 13. Analogs
- 14. Terms and conditions of storage
- 15. Terms of dispensing from pharmacies
- 16. Reviews
- 17. Price in pharmacies
Latin name: Imodium
ATX code: A07DA03
Active ingredient: loperamide (Loperamide)
Manufacturer: Janssen-Cilag (France)
Description and photo update: 2019-09-09
Prices in pharmacies: from 142 rubles.
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Imodium is a symptomatic antidiarrheal drug.
Release form and composition
Imodium is produced in the following dosage forms:
- Capsules: size No. 4, hard gelatinous, with a dark gray body with a white inscription on it "JANSSEN" and a green cap with a white inscription "Imodium" on it; contents of capsules - white powder (6 or 20 pcs. in blisters, 1 blister in a cardboard box);
- Lozenges: round, lyophilized, almost white or white in color (6 or 10 pieces in blisters, 1 or 2 blisters in a cardboard box).
Each pack also contains instructions for the use of Imodium.
1 capsule contains:
- Active ingredient: loperamide - 2 mg (in the form of hydrochloride);
- Auxiliary components: lactose monohydrate, talc, corn starch, magnesium stearate.
The composition of the capsule shell: gelatin, titanium dioxide, iron oxide yellow and black, sodium indigotindisulfonate, sodium erythrosine.
The composition of 1 tablet includes:
- Active ingredient: loperamide - 2 mg (in the form of hydrochloride);
- Auxiliary components: aspartame, mannitol, mint flavor, gelatin, sodium bicarbonate.
Pharmacological properties
Pharmacodynamics
The active substance of Imodium, loperamide, binds to opioid receptors in the intestinal wall, as a result of which the release of prostaglandins and acetylcholine is suppressed. This leads to a slowdown in peristalsis and an increase in the transit time of the contents through the intestines. As a result of therapy, the tone of the anal sphincter increases, which reduces fecal incontinence and inhibits the urge to defecate.
Pharmacokinetics
Most of the loperamide is absorbed in the intestine. The systemic bioavailability is approximately 0.3%, which is associated with active first-pass metabolism.
According to preclinical studies, loperamide is a substrate for P-glycoprotein. The binding of the substance to blood plasma proteins (mainly albumin) is 95%.
Metabolism of loperamide occurs mainly in the liver, conjugated and excreted in the bile. The main pathway of loperamide metabolism is oxidative N-demethylation, the process occurs with the participation of an inhibitor of isoenzymes CYP3A4 and CYP2C8.
Plasma concentration of unchanged substance in the blood is negligible, which is associated with active first-pass metabolism. The half-life averages 11 hours (in the range of 9-14 hours). The excretion of the unchanged substance and its metabolites occurs mainly with feces.
Pharmacokinetic studies have not been conducted in children. It is assumed that the pharmacokinetics of loperamide and its interactions with other drugs are similar to those in adults.
Indications for use
Imodium is prescribed for the treatment of acute and chronic diarrhea, as well as for stool regulation in patients with ileostomy.
Contraindications
Absolute contraindications:
- Lactase deficiency, lactose intolerance, glucose-galactose malabsorption (capsules);
- Phenylketonuria (tablets);
- I trimester of pregnancy and lactation;
- Age up to 6 years;
- Individual intolerance to the components of the drug.
As the main therapy, Imodium capsules and tablets are contraindicated in the presence of the following diseases / conditions:
- Ulcerative colitis in the acute stage;
- Acute dysentery, in which bloody stools and high fever develop;
- Pseudomembranous colitis associated with the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics;
- Bacterial enterocolitis caused by pathogenic microorganisms including Salmonella, Campylobacter and Shigella.
In cases where a slowdown in peristalsis is undesirable due to a possible risk of serious complications (such as intestinal obstruction, megacolon and toxic megacolon), Imodium should not be used.
If bloating, constipation or intestinal obstruction occurs, the drug should be discontinued immediately.
Imodium, instructions for use: method and dosage
Imodium capsules and tablets are taken orally.
The initial dose for the treatment of acute diarrhea for adults and elderly patients is 4 mg, for children from 6 years old - 2 mg. In the future, with loose stools, all age groups of patients should take the drug 2 mg after each act of defecation.
In chronic diarrhea, Imodium is prescribed in the same initial dose as in the treatment of acute diarrhea. Subsequently, the dose must be adjusted so that the stool frequency is 1-2 times a day, which is usually achieved when taking a maintenance daily dose of 2-12 mg.
In the treatment of acute and chronic diarrhea, the maximum daily dose is:
- Adults - 16 mg;
- Children - 3 mg per 10 kg of body weight (no more than 16 mg).
If the stool is normalized or if there is no stool for more than 12 hours, therapy should be canceled.
Lozenges must be placed on the tongue. Within a few seconds, it dissolves on the surface of the tongue, and it can be swallowed with saliva without drinking water.
Side effects
During therapy, the development of disorders from some body systems is possible:
- Central and peripheral nervous system: drowsiness, fatigue, dizziness;
- Digestive system: dry mouth, bloating and / or constipation, intestinal colic, abdominal discomfort or pain, vomiting, nausea; very rarely - intestinal obstruction;
- Allergic reactions: skin rash;
- Others: a tingling sensation or a burning sensation of the tongue (appears immediately after taking the drug in the form of tablets for resorption); rarely - urinary retention.
Overdose
The main symptoms (including against the background of a relative overdose associated with impaired liver function): intestinal obstruction, urinary retention, signs of depression of the central nervous system, including impaired coordination, stupor, drowsiness, miosis, respiratory depression, muscle hypertonicity. Children may be more sensitive to the effect of loperamide on the central nervous system than adults.
Therapy: naloxone can be used as an antidote (in some cases, its repeated use is required, due to the difference in the half-life). The condition of patients should be monitored for at least 48 hours.
special instructions
If constipation or bloating develops, Imodium should be discontinued immediately.
With diarrhea, especially in children, hypovolemia and a decrease in electrolytes may develop. In these cases, it is important to provide electrolyte and fluid replacement therapy.
Since the therapy of diarrhea with Imodium is only symptomatic, etiotropic agents should be used simultaneously with taking the drug, if possible.
In acute diarrhea, if no clinical improvement is observed within 48 hours, therapy should be discontinued and the diagnosis clarified, excluding the infectious genesis of diarrhea.
Do not take Imodium for diarrhea, accompanied by blood in the stool and high fever.
In patients with AIDS, when the first signs of bloating appear, therapy should be stopped immediately. In some cases, in AIDS patients with infectious colitis of a bacterial and viral nature, toxic expansion of the colon may develop during therapy.
Patients with functional impairments of the liver need to be closely monitored for the timely detection of symptoms of toxic damage.
During the period of therapy, it is recommended to follow a diet and monitor the timely replenishment of fluid.
It should be borne in mind that the lozenges are fragile enough, therefore, to avoid damage, they must be removed from the package with care.
Influence on the ability to drive vehicles and complex mechanisms
While taking Imodium, it is recommended to refrain from driving vehicles and performing potentially hazardous types of work that require a high concentration of attention and speed of psychomotor reactions.
Application during pregnancy and lactation
- I trimester of pregnancy and lactation: therapy is contraindicated;
- II-III trimesters of pregnancy: Imodium can be used only in cases where the expected benefit is assessed above the possible harm.
There is no evidence that loperamide has teratogenic or embryotoxic effects.
Pediatric use
For patients under 6 years of age, the drug is not prescribed.
For violations of liver function
Imodium for liver failure should be used with caution, which is associated with a slowed down first pass metabolism.
Drug interactions
There are no data on the interaction of Imodium with other drugs.
Analogs
Imodium analogs are: Imodium Lingual, Vero-Loperamide, Diara, Loperamide, Loperamide-Akrikhin, Loperamide Grindeks, Loperamide Hydrochloride, Loperamide Health, Lopedium, Stoperan.
Terms and conditions of storage
Store in a dry place out of the reach of children at a temperature of 15-30 ° C.
The shelf life is 5 years.
Terms of dispensing from pharmacies
Available without a prescription.
Reviews about Imodium
According to reviews, Imodium has a quick claimed therapeutic effect. The drug is most often used in emergency cases for symptomatic treatment. Loperamide practically does not cause side reactions. In comparison with analogues, the cost of the drug is considered by patients to be too high.
Price for Imodium in pharmacies
The approximate price for Imodium is:
- Capsules: 6 pcs. in the package - 220 rubles, 20 pcs. - 493 rubles;
- Lozenges 6 pcs. in the package - 224 rubles, 10 pcs. - 324 rubles.
Imodium: prices in online pharmacies
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Drug name Price Pharmacy |
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Imodium Express 2 mg lozenges 6 pcs. 142 RUB Buy |
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Reviews Imodium Express 142 RUB Buy |
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Imodium Express lyophilisate tablets 2mg 6 pcs. 163 r Buy |
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Imodium Express 2 mg lozenges 10 pcs. 198 RUB Buy |
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Imodium Express freeze-dried tablets for diarrhea (freeze-dried tablets), 2 mg, 10 pcs 208 RUB Buy |
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Imodium Express 2 mg lozenges 20 pcs. 289 r Buy |
Anna Kozlova Medical journalist About the author
Education: Rostov State Medical University, specialty "General Medicine".
Information about the drug is generalized, provided for informational purposes only and does not replace the official instructions. Self-medication is hazardous to health!
