Is there a downside to Imodium?

This medicine may cause heart rhythm problems (eg, torsades de pointes, ventricular arrhythmias). Check with your doctor right away if you or your child have chest pain or discomfort, fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat, fainting, or trouble breathing. Loperamide may increase your risk for stomach or bowel problems.

Why is IMODIUM not recommended?

Loperamide acts on opioid receptors in the gut to slow the movement in the intestines and decrease the number of bowel movements. It is safe at approved doses, but when much higher than recommended doses are taken, it can lead to serious problems, including severe heart rhythm problems and death.

Can taking IMODIUM daily be harmful?

If you've bought loperamide from a pharmacy or shop, do not take it for more than 48 hours without talking to a doctor. Only take the recommended amount. Too much loperamide can cause serious heart problems (including a fast or irregular heartbeat).

Can IMODIUM cause damage?

Imodium carries several risks when taken in excessive quantities, including: Cardiovascular risk: Imodium can cause an irregular heartbeat that can be fatal. Kidney damage risk: Because Imodium slows down the gastrointestinal system, unintended effects like kidney damage can occur when the bladder cannot fully empty.

Is it OK to take one IMODIUM every day for IBS?

Yes, OTC anti-diarrhea medications, such as Imodium, Pepto-Bismol, and Kaopectate, can relieve diarrhea in people with IBS. However, these drugs can have side effects and they're meant to be used only short-term. If you have IBS, talk to your doctor about the best medication options to treat your diarrhea.

FDA working to limit dosage of over-the-counter Imodium because people are increasingly abusing it

Is IMODIUM hard on your body?

The FDA warns that Imodium at higher doses can cause QT interval prolongation, which means it takes longer for your heart to recharge between beats. Cardiac arrest is also a possible result of loperamide abuse, according to the FDA.

Is Imodium hard on the liver?

Hepatotoxicity. As with most opiates in current use, therapy with loperamide has not been linked to serum enzyme elevations. There have been no convincing cases of idiosyncratic acute, clinically apparent liver injury attributed to either agent.

Which is better Pepto or Imodium?

But when comparing Imodium A-D and Pepto-Bismol, does one work better than the other? One study published in 1990 suggests that loperamide (Imodium A-D) works better than bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol) for treating acute diarrhea. Loperamide was able to provide faster relief compared to bismuth subsalicylate.

How long is it safe to take Imodium?

Take no more than the recommended maximum dose per day. If your symptoms worsen or you have diarrhea that lasts for more than 2 days, contact your healthcare provider. Most people only need to take Imodium for a day or two.

Is it better to have diarrhea or take IMODIUM?

Although acute diarrhea generally resolves on its own, treating with IMODIUM^® products relieves symptoms more quickly than letting diarrhea run its natural course. Speak to your physician if you have any questions or concerns.

Is it better to not take anti diarrhea medicine?

Do not take antidiarrheal agents when diarrhea is accompanied by fever, severe illness, abdominal pain, or if there is blood or pus (mucus) in the stool. 1 If diarrhea from an infection is a possibility, only use antidiarrheal drugs as advised by a healthcare professional.

How does IMODIUM affect the heart?

Higher than recommended doses of loperamide can cause serious cardiac events, including QT interval prolongation, Torsades de Pointes, other ventricular arrhythmias, cardiac arrest, syncope, and death.

Can you take IMODIUM 3 days in a row?

Imodium dosage for adults and children

You shouldn't use Imodium for more than 2 days in a row. A prescription-strength Imodium caplet is available for long-term use. It's usually prescribed to treat diarrhea caused by a chronic condition, such as inflammatory bowel disease.

How many IMODIUM is it safe to take in a day?

No more than 8 mg (4 tablets) should be taken in any 24-hour period. Children 9 to 11 years of age—The usual dose is 2 mg (1 tablet) after the first loose bowel movement, and 1 mg (½ tablet) after each loose bowel movement after the first dose has been taken.

What happens if you take IMODIUM for too long?

About the only problem you can get with loperamide is constipation and that usually means you are taking too much.

What is the safest diarrhea medicine?

Over-the-counter options include Imodium (loperamide) and Pepto-Bismol or Kaopectate (bismuth subsalicylate). “These are reasonable to use on occasion and have the great advantage of not requiring a doctor's prescription,” Bickston says, adding that they should not be used for more than two days.

Do doctors recommend Imodium for diarrhea?

Chronic (ongoing) diarrhea.

This type of diarrhea lasts for more than 4 weeks. And it's usually related to long-term bowel conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or Crohn's disease. For chronic diarrhea, Imodium should only be used if it's recommended by your doctor.

Why does Imodium work so well?

IMODIUM^® products contain an active ingredient called Loperamide, which works by slowing down the movement of fluid through the gut. This allows for overall greater absorption of valuable fluids and salts back into your system and treats diarrhea symptoms.

What drugs Cannot be taken with IMODIUM?

Is IMODIUM hard on the heart?

Health care professionals should be aware that higher than recommended loperamide doses can result in serious cardiac adverse events including QT interval prolongation, Torsades de Pointes or other ventricular arrhythmias, syncope, and cardiac arrest.

How long can I take IMODIUM for IBS?

Don't take more than 6 tablets in any 24-hour period. Read the label for dosing in IBS diarrhoea. Don't take for attacks lasting more than 2 days.

Is it better to take Imodium at night or in the morning?

Most people find that the bowel is most active in the morning and so Loperamide will help most if taken before breakfast. The medicine starts to work within half an hour of taking it, and is effective for 8-12 hours.

Should you try to stop diarrhea or let it run its course?

But often you can't control the cause of your diarrhea, especially if you have a sensitive system. So the best you can do is treat the effects in order to limit the extra strain on your system caused by loss of fluids and salts.

Can IMODIUM damage bowels?

Loperamide may increase your risk for stomach or bowel problems. Check with your doctor right away if you have bloating, blood in the stools, constipation, fever, loss of appetite, nausea or vomiting, or stomach pain.

Why does Pepto work better than IMODIUM?

Imodium A-D slows the movement of fluids through your intestine and reduces the frequency and volume of your stools. Pepto-Bismol, on the other hand, reduces inflammation of your intestines and kills bacteria that cause diarrhea.