Loperamide

Loperamide is used to control diarrhea. It is available with or without a prescription. This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Loperamide comes as a tablet, capsule, and liquid to take by mouth. It usually is taken immediately after each loose bowel movement; it is sometimes taken on a schedule (one or more times a day) for chronic diarrhea. Follow the directions on the package or on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take loperamide exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. If your symptoms do not improve within 2 days (10 days for chronic diarrhea) or if you develop a fever or bloody stools, call your doctor. Drink plenty of water or other beverages to replace fluids lost while having diarrhea.

<p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Loperamide may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

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dry mouth</li>
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dizziness</li>
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drowsiness</li>
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vomiting</li>
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stomach pain, discomfort, or distention (enlargement)</li>
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constipation</li>
<li>
fatigue</li></ul></p> <p></p> <p>If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

<ul>
<li>
skin rash</li>
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hives</li>
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itching</li>
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wheezing</li>
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difficulty breathing</li></ul>If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at <a href='http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch'>http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch</a>] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].</p>

Before taking loperamide, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to loperamide or any other drugs. tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking. tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have a fever. you should know that this drug may make you drowsy and dizzy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this drug affects you. remember that alcohol can add to the drowsiness caused by this drug.