Loperamide 2 mg Tablet What Loperamide is used for Loperamide is used to treat sudden short-lived (acute) attacks of diarrhea in adults and children aged 9 years and over and long-lasting (chronic) diarrhea in adults. It helps reduce diarrhea by slowing down an overactive bowel, which helps the body to absorb water and salts from this organ, making the stools more solid and less frequent. Do not take Loperamide If you are allergic to loperamide or any of the other ingredients of this medicine If you have severe diarrhea after taking antibiotics If you are having a flare up of an inflammatory bowel condition like ulcerative colitis If you are constipated or your stomach appears swollen (particularly in children with severe dehydration) If you have acute dysentery, the symptoms of which may include blood in your stools and a high temperature. Warnings and precautions Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking loperamide if you: have AIDS and your stomach becomes swollen, stop taking the tablets immediately and contact your doctor suffer from liver problems have severe diarrhea as your body loses more fluid, sugars and salts than normal. have diarrhea that lasts for more than 48 hours. Possible side effects Stop using Loperamide and tell your doctor straight away if you notice or suspect any of the following. You may need urgent medical treatment. Sudden swelling of the face lips, or throat. Hives (also known as nettle rash or urticaria). Severe irritation, reddening or blistering of your skin. These may be signs of a severe allergic reaction Blistering of your skin, mouth, eyes or genitals Stomach pain or severe swollen stomach Severe constipation Loss of consciousness or reduced level of consciousness (feeling faint) Other medicines and Loperamide Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking: ritonavir (used to treat HIV) quinidine (used to treat abnormal heart rhythms or malaria) itraconazole, ketoconazole (used to treat fungal infections) gemfibrozil (used to reduce levels of cholesterol) oral desmopressin (used to treat excessive urination) other drugs that slow down or speed up movement in the gut How to take Loperamide Short-lived (acute) diarrhea Adults and children over 12 years: Take two tablets to begin with and then one tablet after each episode of diarrhea for up to 5 days. Never take more than 8 tablets in any 24-hour period. Children aged 9-12 years: Take one tablet 4 times daily until diarrhea is controlled or for up to 5 days. Never take more than this dose. Children aged under 9 years old: This medicine should not be given to children under 9 years old. Other pharmaceutical forms/strengths (e.g. syrup) are available for children aged 4 years and over. If your symptoms are not getting better within 2 days of taking your first dose of this medicine, you should see your doctor again, who may want to examine you to further check on the cause of the diarrhea. Long-lasting (chronic) diarrhea Adults only: Your doctor will tell you how much Loperamide to take. The initial dose will probably be between two and four tablets per day taken in divided doses, but will depend on each individual's needs. When your doctor is satisfied that you are receiving the daily dose that best suits you, he or she will then probably suggest that you take your tablets twice a day. Never take more than 8 tablets in any 24-hour period. How to store Loperamide Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children. Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the label or carton after 'EXP'. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month. Store in the original package. If the tablets become discolored or show any other signs of deterioration, consult your pharmacist who will tell you what to do. Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment. A valid prescription should be available upon delivery