Loperamide is a potent synthetic ant diuretic with a local effect on the bowel wall. Loperamide with its anti peristaltic myometrial effect prevents loss of water and electrolytes from the body.
Loperamide acts locally, ie directly on the intestinal wall where it binds itself to opiate receptors by which it slows down peristalsis.
Loperamide
Loperamide is characterized by a large therapeutic range; Although it is a derivative of haloperidol (antipsychotics) it does not affect the central nervous system or cardiovascular system. It is excreted mainly through the feces, partly in an unchanged form, partly in the form of electrolyte.
It is used for the symptomatic treatment of acute and chronic diarrhea of non infectional causes. Loperamide is not taken when prevention of peristalsis must be avoided to, ie with patients with severe colitis and pseudomembranic colitis, the occurrence of acute ulcerative colitis, ileus, constipation, but it is not used with infectious diarrhea (intestinal infection), because blockade of diarrhea can only help toxins to be absorbed into the bloodstream.
Loperamide Dosage
Adults and children over 5 years:
Acute diarrhea: the initial dose is 4 mg (2 tablets) for adults and 2 mg (1 tablet) for children. The therapy continues to 1 tablet after each unformed stool.
Chronic diarrhea: the initial dose is 4 mg (2 tablets) for adults and 2 mg (1 tablet) for children. This dose is further adjusted to the condition of the patient, until they reach 1-2 solid stools.
The maximum loperamide dose for adults in the treatment of acute and chronic diarrhea is 16mg (8 tablets) per day, and for the children over 5 years maximum daily dose is 8-12mg (4-6 tablets).
Children from 2-5 years:
For acute diarrhea, a drop at 2 kg BW (0.08mg/2kg TM) 2-3 times a day.
With chronic diarrhea dosage is individual. The maximum daily dose is 2-3 drops or 0.24mg / kg bw.
