Loperamide

The label describes loperamide capsules for the control and relief of sudden non-specific diarrhea in people aged 2 years and older.

It is also described for long-term diarrhea in adults with inflammatory bowel disease, and for reducing the volume of discharge from an ileostomy.

• Sudden non-specific diarrhea (age 2 and older)
• Long-term diarrhea in adults with inflammatory bowel disease
• Reducing ileostomy discharge volume

The label says loperamide slows the movement of the gut and changes how water and salts move through the bowel. It binds to opiate receptors in the gut wall.

This lengthens the time stool stays in the bowel and increases tone of the anal sphincter, which can ease urgency.

This page covers the US label for loperamide capsules taken by mouth, with the dosing the label gives for adults and, where the label says so, children.

This is label-level information, not personal advice. Indian pack labels may differ, and your prescriber's instruction always comes first.

For adults and children 13 years and older with acute diarrhea, the label describes a first dose of 4 mg (two 2 mg capsules), then 2 mg after each loose stool. The label gives a maximum of 16 mg a day.

For children 2 to 12 years, the label describes a weight-based schedule. For ages 2 to 5 years (20 kg or less), it says the liquid form should be used instead of capsules.

The label says to avoid doses higher than recommended because of serious heart risks, and to replace fluids and salts as needed.

• Adults: 4 mg first, then 2 mg after each loose stool
• Maximum 16 mg a day in adults
• Children 2 to 5 years: liquid form, not capsules
• Never exceed the labelled dose

The label says loperamide must not be used in children under 2 years, in people allergic to it, or in abdominal pain without diarrhea.

It is also contraindicated in acute dysentery (blood in stool with high fever), acute ulcerative colitis, bacterial enterocolitis and pseudomembranous colitis.

The label advises avoiding it with other drugs that prolong the QT interval and in people with heart rhythm risk factors, including the elderly.

• Not for children under 2 years
• Not with bloody stool and high fever
• Avoid above-label doses
• Heart rhythm or QT risk
• Dehydration needs fluid replacement

• Itraconazole, ritonavir, quinidine, gemfibrozil
• QT-prolonging antiarrhythmics
• Some antipsychotics and antibiotics (e.g. moxifloxacin)
• The label says drugs that block CYP3A4, CYP2C8 or P-glycoprotein can raise loperamide levels and heart risk.
• Examples named are itraconazole, gemfibrozil, quinidine and ritonavir.
• It also advises avoiding other medicines that prolong the QT interval, such as some antiarrhythmics, antipsychotics and antibiotics.

No match in this label text. Ask your pharmacist about any medicine you take.

The label gives a storage range of 20 to 25 degrees C.

Follow the storage line on your own pack, and keep medicines out of the reach of children.

In the Drugs Rules schedules we checked, loperamide is listed under Schedule H (serial and rule: Schedule H, serial 293 (rules 65 and 97)). Schedule H medicines are sold only on a registered doctor's prescription.

Loperamide is on the National List of Essential Medicines 2022. Listed forms include: Tablet 2 mg (page 84).

NPPA lists ceiling prices for scheduled loperamide formulations. The table shows the rows we found. Check NPPA directly for the current list.

The Jan Aushadhi (PMBJP) list we checked has 1 product row that mention loperamide. We did not capture prices for them.

The banned fixed-dose combination list we checked has 4 entries that mention loperamide. This does not mean the single medicine is banned. Use our checker for a specific combination.

NPPA ceiling prices set the most a seller can charge per unit for the listed formulations, before local taxes. They are ceilings, not the price you will always pay.

Jan Aushadhi lists loperamide products including Loperamide Capsules IP 2 mg 2 mg. We have not shown a price for them. Check the pack and the seller for the actual price.