Due to its composition, the drug has an antidiarrheal effect, reducing the production of prostaglandins and acetylcholine in the body. As a result of this action, intestinal peristalsis decreases, the incontinence of stools and frequent urges for defecation are eliminated. Imodium - the instruction for use of which contains dosage information - is used to treat patients with acute diarrhea, with tablets being used even in the infectious nature of the disease.
What is Imodium
The drug is a very effective long-acting agent that is prescribed to people with a stomach disorder. Imodium tablets are characterized by a high rate of action: after 4-6 hours the symptoms of diarrhea of any origin are completely eliminated. However, doctors do not recommend the use of a drug in a certain category of patients. The active substance - loperamide - has a selective effect on the receptors of the intestinal membrane, blocking them individually, as a result of motor organ weakening, the sphincter closes, the production of mucus and the movement of stool slows down.
Despite the fact that the medicine brought the expected effect, removing the symptoms of the disorder, but the drug did not eliminate its root cause. If the body is often emptied, then this is its natural reaction to any stimulus, which you need to get rid of sooner. Thus, the Imodium will be justified only in cases where diarrhea does not stop for a long time and the body continues to remove the liquid along with the products of vital activity. The pills will help to quickly stop diarrhea, to prevent dehydration and the associated dangerous consequences.
Indications for use of Imodium
The specialist prescribes to the patient tablets for prolonged stool disruption. In addition, the drug can be recommended for use in:
- diarrhea of a neuro-emotional nature;
- allergic diarrhea;
- ileostome, which caused incontinence;
- diarrhea, stimulated by taking certain medications or radiation therapy;
- disorders of the digestive tract due to a change in diet, climate, water.
Composition of
The main active component of Imodium is loperamide, which in each capsule is contained in the amount of two milligrams. Auxiliary substances of the preparation are:
- talc;
- Magnesium Stearate;
- lactose monohydrate;
- cornstarch;
- titanium dioxide;
- gelatin;
- sodium erythrosine;
- yellow and black oxide;
- indigotinedisulfonate sodium.
Form
Each blister contains 6, 10 or 20 tablets. Imodium is available in such dosage forms:
- capsules having a tight gelatinous dark gray body with the inscription "JANSSEN", inside there is a white powder( packed in 6 or 20 pieces per blister);
- absorbable white tablets have a round shape( 6 or 10 pcs in each blister).
How to take Imodium.
Use the drug for adults, according to the instructions for use, you need twice or thrice a day for 1 capsule. The daily maximum dose is 16 mg. To treat acute cases, it is allowed to take 4 mg Imodium immediately. The action of the tablets starts immediately, and the maximum effect will be noticeable after 2-4 hours. After the active components of Imodium are inhibited by the kidneys, the liver and leave the body through the urinary canals.
For children
A child can be given no more than 8 mg of the drug per day, the average dosage for the treatment of diarrhea is 1-2 capsules. Babies under 6 years are not allowed to take Imodium or, in extreme cases, the therapy with pills is under the supervision of a doctor. The instruction of loperamide( the main active substance of Imodium) contains indications in which the treatment with a child's remedy is justified:
- diarrhea of non-infectious origin;
- chronic diarrhea;
- severe diarrhea due to enzyme deficiency.
When Pregnant
According to the instructions for use, the tablets do not have embryonic, teratogenic or mutagenic effects on the fetus, however, it is forbidden to take Imodium in the first trimester of pregnancy. In addition, the drug is prescribed only in cases where the expected positive effect exceeds the potential risks for the child. Imodium in breastfeeding is contraindicated, since active substances enter the baby's body through the mother's milk.
Overdose
To avoid dangerous consequences after taking the drug, it is important to first study the instruction on the use of capsules, which describes how to take Imodium diarrhea, and observe the indicated dosage. In acute poisoning with Imodium, the following symptoms are observed in a person:
- drowsiness;
- spasms;
- convulsions;
- painful abdomen;
- coordination disorder;
- respiratory depression;
- loss of consciousness;
- stupor.
Side effects of
Tablets, according to reviews, are well tolerated by patients, but the likelihood of side effects still exists. Admission Imodium can stimulate the development:
- dizziness;
- high fatigue;
- headaches;
- sleep disorders;
- of urine retention;
- anaphylactic shock;
- dry mouth;
- of intestinal obstruction;
- nausea;
- vomit;
- constipation;
- skin allergic reactions;
- sensation of dry mouth;
- disorders of bowel function, defecation;
- pains at the bottom of the peritoneum;
- indigestion;
- of erythema;
- of toxic necrolysis of the epidermal type;
- of Stephen-Johnson syndrome.
Contraindications Imodium
This preparation of strong effect, according to the instructions for use, has a large number of contraindications. These include:
- dysentery;
- subelius;
- flatulence;
- bacterial diarrhea( after infection with staphylococcus, pr.);
- adhesions, intestinal obstruction;
- lactose intolerance;
- is allergic to loperamide;
- colitis.
Interaction with other drugs
With the need to take the drug simultaneously with other drugs are usually people with chronic diseases that require ongoing systemic therapy. Combination of tablets, according to the instructions, results in:
- increasing the bioavailability of the active substance loperamide with co-trimoxazole and ritonavir;
- decreased the efficacy of loperamide with colestyramine.
Analogues
In addition to import substitutes for the drug, you can find inexpensive domestic analogues with a similar mechanism of action. It is better to consult a doctor who will tell you which medication is better to replace Imodium. In addition, it is important to carefully study the instructions of the selected tablets in advance so as to avoid side effects. Strongly acting against diarrhea, Russians prefer to substitute with such drugs:
- Loperamide;
- Veto-loperamide;
- Diar.
The price of Imodium in the pharmacy
The use of tablets is allowed without a doctor's prescription, so you can freely buy Imodium at any pharmacy. The drug, in comparison with its numerous analogues, has an average cost, while the price of capsules varies in different regions of the country. If desired, you can buy medicines from the online store by selecting the appropriate dosage in the virtual catalog. This method of purchasing means allows you to order targeted delivery. How much is Imodium in the pharmacy? The average price of a medicine in Moscow is 380 rubles.