LOPERAMIDE

Posology Acute diarrhoea Adults and children over 12 years Take two tablets (4 mg) initially, followed by one tablet (2 mg) after every loose stool. The maximum daily dose should not exceed 6 tablets (12 mg). Symptomatic treatment of acute episodes of diarrhoea associated with Irritable Bowel Syndrome already diagnosed by a doctor Adults aged 18 years and over Two tablets (4mg) to be taken initially, followed by 1 tablet (2 mg) after every loose stool, or previously advised by your doctor.

The maximum daily dose should not exceed 6 tablets (12 mg). Paediatric population Loperamide is contraindicated in children less than 12 years of age. Elderly No dose adjustment is required for the elderly. Renal impairment No dose adjustment is required for patients with renal impairment.

4). Method of administration Oral use. The tablets should be taken with liquid.

Adults and children aged ≥ 12 years The safety of loperamide hydrochloride was evaluated in 2755 adults and children aged ≥ 12 years who participated in 26 controlled and uncontrolled clinical trials of loperamide used for the treatment of acute diarrhoea.

e. 1%). Table 1 displays ADRs that have been reported with the use of loperamide hydrochloride from either clinical trial (acute diarrhoea) or post-marketing experience. The frequency categories use the following convention: very common (≥1/10); common (≥1/100 to <1/10); uncommon (≥1/1,000 to <1/100); rare (≥1/10,000 to <1/1,000); very rare (<1/10,000) and not known.

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Table 1:

Adverse Drug Reactions IndicationSystem Organ Class Common Uncommon Rare Not known Immune System Disorders Hypersensitivity reactiona Anaphylactic reaction (including Anaphylactic shock)a Anaphylactoid reactiona Nervous System Disorders Headache Dizziness, Somnolencea Loss of consciousnessa Stupora Depressed level of consciousnessa Hypertoniaa Coordination abnormalitya Eye Disorders Miosisa Gastrointestinal Disorders Constipation, Nausea, Flatulence Abdominal pain, Abdominal discomfort, Dry mouth, Abdominal pain upper, Vomiting, Dyspepsiaa Abdominal distension Ileusa (including paralytic ileus), Megacolona (including toxic megacolonb), Acute pancreatitis Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders Rash Bullous eruptiona (including Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis and erythema multiforme) Angioedemaa Urticariaa Pruritusa Renal and Urinary Disorders Urinary retentiona General Disorders and Administration Site Conditions Fatiguea a.

Inclusion of this term is based on post-marketing reports for loperamide hydrochloride. As the process for determining post-marketing ADRs did not differentiate between chronic and acute indications or adults and children, the frequency is estimated from all clinical trials with loperamide (acute and chronic), including trials in children ≤ 12 years (N=3683).

Treatment of diarrhoea with loperamide is only symptomatic. Whenever an underlying etiology can be determined, specific treatment should be given when appropriate. The priority in acute diarrhoea is the prevention or reversal of fluid and electrolyte depletion.

This is particularly important in young children and in frail and elderly patients with acute diarrhoea. Use of loperamide does not preclude the administration of appropriate fluid and electrolyte replacement therapy. Since persistent diarrhoea can be an indicator of potentially more serious conditions, loperamide should not be used for prolonged periods until the underlying cause of the diarrhoea has been investigated.

In acute diarrhoea, if clinical improvement is not observed within 48 hours, the administration of loperamide should be discontinued and patients should be advised to consult their doctor. Patients with AIDS treated with loperamide for diarrhoea should have therapy stopped at the earliest signs of abdominal distension.

There have been isolated reports of obstipation with an increased risk for toxic megacolon in AIDS patients with infectious colitis from both viral and bacterial pathogens treated with loperamide hydrochloride. Although no pharmacokinetic data are available in patients with hepatic impairment, loperamide should be used with caution in such patients because of reduced first pass metabolism, as it may result in relative overdose leading to CNS toxicity.

Patients with rare hereditary problems of galactose intolerance, total lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption should not take this medicine because it contains lactose. This medicine contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per tablet, that is to say essentially ‘sodium-free’.

If patients are taking loperamide to control episodes of diarrhoea associated with Irritable Bowel Syndrome previously diagnosed by their doctor, and clinical improvement is not observed within 48 hours, the administration of loperamide hydrochloride should be discontinued and they should consult with their doctor.

1. • children under 12 years of age. • patients with acute dysentery, which is characterised by blood in stools and high fever. • patients with acute ulcerative colitis. • patients with bacterial enterocolitis caused by invasive organisms including Salmonella, Shigella and Campylobacter.

• patients with pseudomembranous colitis associated with the use of broad- spectrum antibiotics. Loperamide should not be used when inhibition of peristalsis is to be avoided due to the possible risk of significant sequelae including ileus, megacolon and toxic megacolon.

Loperamide must be discontinued promptly when constipation, abdominal distension or ileus develop.