Imodium 2mg Capsules

Loperamide slows the movement of the bowel and reduces how much fluid passes into it, which makes stools firmer and less frequent. It is used for:

• short bouts of diarrhoea, including travellers' diarrhoea
• on a doctor's advice, longer-term diarrhoea, for example with inflammatory bowel disease or an ileostomy

Use it exactly as the label or your doctor or pharmacist tells you.

• Never take more than the maximum amount on the label in 24 hours.
• Drink plenty of water or rehydration fluids to replace what you lose.
• Measure the liquid with the cup or spoon provided.
• Stop and see a doctor if short-term diarrhoea gets worse or lasts more than 48 hours.
• If you take it on a regular schedule and miss a dose, skip it if the next one is nearly due. Never double up.

Common side effects include:

• constipation
• tiredness, dizziness or drowsiness

Get medical help straight away if you have:

• a fast, pounding or irregular heartbeat, fainting or feeling very light-headed
• a swollen or painful tummy, or blood in your stools
• a rash, blistering or peeling skin, hives, wheezing or trouble breathing

Do not use it, unless a doctor advises, if you have:

• a fever, or blood or mucus in your stools
• ulcerative colitis or a bowel infection
• tummy pain without diarrhoea

Check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking it if you:

• have liver disease or HIV
• have heart rhythm problems (long QT), a slow heartbeat or low potassium
• take medicines that affect heart rhythm, such as amiodarone, haloperidol, methadone or sotalol
• are pregnant or breastfeeding

Do not give it to children under 2 years old.

Keep it in the original, tightly closed container at room temperature, away from heat and moisture (not in the bathroom), and out of the reach of children.

Heart risk with high doses: taking more than recommended, or for longer than directed, can cause serious and even fatal heart rhythm problems.

Overdose signs include confusion, very slow breathing, pinpoint pupils, fainting or a racing heart. Get emergency help.

Driving: do not drive if it makes you drowsy or dizzy.