LOPERAMIDE 2MG 12 GELULES BIOGARAN CONSEIL

The capsules should be swallowed with a glass of water.

Usual dosage:

• Adults and adolescents over 15 years: start with 2 capsules, then 1 additional capsule after each liquid stool, without exceeding 6 capsules per day and 2 days of treatment; beyond that, if the disorders persist, consult the doctor.
  Strictly follow the dosage recommended by your pharmacist.

Our recommendations
Diarrhoea can cause dehydration, especially in the elderly. This loss of water by the body must be compensated by rehydration solutions or abundant drinks (salted broth, sweet drinks) because it can cause fatigue, malaise or confusion of ideas.
The diet to follow in case of diarrhea is based on a light diet, based on :

• banana, potato, in soup or mashed;
• well-cooked pasta, rice or tapioca, rice cooking water
• apple or quince compote, quince or blueberry jelly;
• sweet or salty biscuits.

Avoid: fruit juices and raw fruit, vegetables rich in fibre, meat, eggs, dairy products and iced drinks.
This medicine may be available over the counter (or direct access) in certain pharmacies; in this case, ask your pharmacist to validate your choice.

When itshould not be used
This medicine should not be used in the following cases:

• acute attacks of ulcerative colitis ;
• diarrhoea caused by certain antibiotics;
• diarrhea accompanied by numbness, thirst, fever or blood in the stool;
• children under 15 years of age.

Warning
This antidiarrheal can be obtained without a prescription. However, it should not be used without medical advice in cases of liver failure and in HIV-infected persons. If there is no improvement after 2 days of treatment, consult your doctor.
Treatment should be stopped as soon as stools start to form again or if abdominal swelling occurs. Overuse of the drug may lead to severe constipation.
Loperamide may cause heart rhythm disturbances in case of overdose; follow the dose and duration of treatment recommended by your pharmacist.
If you are going to drive or operate dangerous machinery, make sure that this drug does not impair your alertness.

Drug Interactions
Tell your doctor if you are taking a medicine containing quinidine, ritonavir, itraconazole, ketoconazole, gemfibrozil or desmopressin.

If you are pregnant or breast-feeding
Pregnancy:
The studies currently available have not shown any particular problem with the occasional use of this medicine in pregnant women. Nevertheless, it is not recommended during pregnancy without medical advice.

Breastfeeding:
This drug passes weakly into breast milk. Nevertheless, its use is not recommended during breastfeeding.

POSSIBLE ADVERSE REACTIONS
Common (1-10% of cases): constipation, nausea, flatulence, headache.
Uncommon (less than 1% of cases): abdominal pain, vomiting, dry mouth, rash.
Rare: enlargement of the abdomen.
Undetermined frequency: drowsiness, fatigue, urticaria, itching, allergic reaction, severe constipation