Drug Name:Loperamide
Drug Class:Antidiarrheal
Mechanism of Action:
  • Binds to opioid receptors in the gut, decreasing intestinal motility and increasing absorption of water and electrolytes
Use:
  • Treatment of acute and chronic diarrhea
  • Symptomatic relief of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Side Effects:
  • Constipation
  • Abdominal pain
  • Nausea
  • Dry mouth
  • Dizziness
Contraindications:
  • Hypersensitivity to loperamide
  • Acute dysentery
  • Bacterial enterocolitis
  • Pseudomembranous colitis
  • Toxic megacolon
Specialty:
  • Gastroenterology
  • Internal Medicine
  • Family Medicine