Loperamide is an opioid that can slow down and reduce the number of bowel movements. It can therefore be used as an anti-diarrheal agent to treat both acute and chronic diarrhoea.
Loperamide can be taken by mouth as tablets or capsules. The dosages for different uses and age groups are listed below:
For acute diarrhoea
Adult / Child 12-17 years
Start with 4 mg after each loose stool, then 2 mg for up to 5 days. The usual daily dose is 6-8 mg while the maximum daily dose is 16 mg.
Child 4-7 years
1 mg 3-4 times daily for up to 3 days.
Child 8-11 years
2 mg 4 times daily for up to 5 days.
For chronic diarrhoea
Adult
Start with 4-8 mg daily in divided doses. The dose may be adjusted according to your response. The maintenance dose is up to 16 mg daily in 2 divided doses.
Common side effects of Loperamide include constipation, headache, and nausea.
Common dosing schedule:
You can take Loperamide with or without food.
Take Loperamide with plenty of water. Do not take the drug with sugary drinks such as fruit juice as this may make diarrhea worse.
This schedule is for reference only, adjustments may be made according to individual needs.
Some common medications Loperamide may interact with:
Please notify your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking the above medication, dosage adjustments might be needed.
In Hong Kong, Loperamide is an over-the-counter medicine which can be purchased without a prescription from any retail outlet in Hong Kong. This includes grocery stores, convenience stores, medicine shops, and pharmacies. It can also be obtained from doctors. To find a pharmacy near you, refer to the list of pharmacies (“Authorized Sellers of Poisons”) from the Hong Kong Department of Health.
For more information about drug names and ingredients, you can visit Hong Kong’s Drug Office at https://www.drugoffice.gov.hk
Need more information?
For detailed information about the use of Loperamide in children, pregnancy and breastfeeding, and for questions about drug interactions, please check with your pharmacist or doctor.
Disclaimer: our goal is to provide you with the most relevant drug information and common dosage for Hong Kong. This information does not constitute medical advice. For specific treatment recommendations and advice, always discuss with your doctor or pharmacist, and follow the instructions included with your specific medicine.
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