Loperamide (Imosec): what it is for, dosage and how to take

Loperamide is a medicine for acute or chronic non-infectious diarrhea, as it acts by reducing bowel movements, increasing intestinal transit time and causing feces to remain in the intestine for longer, thus allowing the absorption of a greater amount of water, leaving less liquid stools.

This medicine can be found in pharmacies or drugstores, in the form of 2 mg tablets, with the reference name Imosec, with similar names Diasec, Intestin or Kaosec, or as a generic under the name “loperamide hydrochloride”.

Loperamide should only be used under medical advice, after evaluating the cause of the diarrhea, and is contraindicated for children, pregnant women, breastfeeding women or people with intestinal infections.

What is it for

Imosec is indicated for the treatment of:

• Acute nonspecific non-infectious diarrhea;
• Chronic spoliative diarrhea, associated with inflammatory bowel diseases, such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis;
• Loss of water and electrolytes in ileostomies and colostomies.

Loperamide works by binding to opioid receptors in the intestine, which leads to a reduction in intestinal movements and contractions, allowing feces to remain in the intestine longer, resulting in greater absorption of water and nutrients by the intestine, leaving feces less liquid.

In addition, loperamide also increases the tone of the anal sphincter, reducing the sensation of urgency and fecal incontinence.

Imosec usually improves diarrhea within 48 hours after starting treatment.

Dosage and how to take

Imosec should be taken orally, with a glass of water, at the times established by the doctor.

The dosage of loperamide normally recommended for adults is:

• Acute diarrhea: the normally recommended initial dose is 4 mg (2 tablets of 2 mg), and then 1 tablet of 2 mg after each episode of liquid diarrhea, up to a maximum of 16 mg per day, that is, a maximum of 8 tablets of 2 mg every 24 hours;
• Chronic diarrhea: the normally recommended starting dose is 4 mg (2 tablets of 2 mg). This dose can be changed by the doctor, until you have 1 or 2 solid bowel movements per day, generally with doses ranging from 1 to 6 2 mg tablets per day. The maximum dose per day should not exceed 8 2 mg tablets.

In the case of children over 6 years of age, Imosec doses must be calculated by the pediatrician, according to the child’s age and body weight.

Treatment with Imosec should be stopped after the production of solid or hard stools or after 24 hours without having a bowel movement, or according to medical advice.

If there is no improvement in diarrhea within 2 days after starting treatment with loperamide, or the person experiences bloating or abdominal distension, they should stop using Imosec and contact the doctor responsible for the treatment.

During diarrhea treatment, it is important to increase your fluid intake to avoid dehydration and eat an easily digestible diet, such as white bread, white rice and white pasta, lean meats and peeled fruits. See what to eat to stop diarrhea.

Possible side effects

The most common side effects that may occur during treatment with Imosec are constipation, dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, dry mouth, abdominal pain, headache or excess intestinal gas.

It is advisable to stop using loperamide and notify your doctor if you experience symptoms such as watery, bloody or continuous diarrhea, worsening diarrhea, abdominal pain or swelling, rapid or accelerated heartbeat, a sensation of vibration in the chest, shortness of breath or sudden dizziness as if you were going to faint.

In addition, you should stop use and seek medical help immediately or the nearest emergency room if symptoms of a severe allergic reaction or anaphylaxis appear, such as difficulty breathing, feeling of a closed throat, swelling in the mouth, tongue or face, hives , blistering or peeling skin, skin pain, fever, sore throat or burning eyes. Know how to identify all the symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

Who shouldn’t use

Imosec should not be used by children under 6 years of age, children over 6 years of age who have acute or persistent diarrhea, or by people who have bloody diarrhea and high fever, acute ulcerative colitis, bacterial enterocolitis, pseudomembranous colitis caused by antibiotic use or abdominal pain without diarrhea.

Furthermore, loperamide should not be used by pregnant or breastfeeding women, or by people who are allergic to any of the tablet’s components.