CA
A 19-year-old female asked:
How does imodium (loperamide) actually work, anyway? how bad can it be to overdose?
2 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in
Dr. Garrett Caldwellanswered
Family Medicine 11 years experience
Imodium (loperamide): Imodium anti-diarrheals are actually a drug called loperamide. This drug acts on the walls of the gut inhibiting their movement and increasing the tone in the sphincter muscle of your anus. This causes your feces to stop moving in your gut allowing your body to absorb more of the water. The drug is fairly safe, however large overdosing can cause constipation, paralytic ileus or toxic megacolon.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Charles Turckanswered
Pharmacology 19 years experience
Severe consequences: Loperamide is an anti-diarrheal. The way it works is slowing the muscle contractions in your gut, allowing water to escape and your stool to harden. Don’t take any more than 4 mg for the first loose stool and 2 mg for each loose stool afterward, 16 mg/day max (even that dose is high). The consequences of overdose are severe: they can be life-threatening or lead to surgical removal of your bowel.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
359 viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Last updated Jun 19, 2019
People also asked
Connect with a U.S. board-certified doctor by text or video anytime, anywhere.
24/7 visits - just $44!
50% off with $15/month membership
Disclaimer:
Content on HealthTap (including answers) should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and interactions on HealthTap do not create a doctor-patient relationship. Never disregard or delay professional medical advice in person because of anything on HealthTap. Call your doctor or 911 if you think you may have a medical emergency.