Imodium

Drug Info

• Common Name: Imodium®
• Drug Type: Narcotic anti-diarrheal
• Used For: Diarrhea
• Species: Dogs
• Administered: 2 mg capsules, 2mg tablets, Oral liquid
• How Dispensed: Prescription or Over the counter
• FDA Approved: No

General Description

Loperamide is used to treat diarrhea and acute colitis in humans, but may be prescribed to pets. It is also effective in malabsorption and maldigestion in pets that are not extracting enough nutrients from their food. It is a non-addictive weak narcotic.

Treatment typically should not last longer than 2 days. If your pets has diarrhea for more than 48 hours, contact your veterinarian immediately to prevent dehydration.

How It Works

The muscles in the stomach contract to pass food at a certain pace known as it’s motility. Loperamide works by decreasing the motility, slowing the passage of food through the digestive tract. This also allows increased absorption of water and nutrients, reducing the fluid in the stool which leads to less diarrhea.

Storage Information

Store in a tightly sealed container at room temperature.

Missed Dose?

Give the dose as soon as possible. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose, and continue with the regular schedule. Do not give your pet two doses at once.

Side Effects and Drug Reactions

Loperamide may result in these side effects:

• Constipation
• Gas
• Sedation
• Lethargy
• Effects on the central nervous system (including excitation in cats)

Loperamide may react with these drugs:

• Naloxone
• Diazepam (and other central nervous system depressants and sedatives)
• Amitraz
• Selegiline
• Furazolidone

 
Pets whose diarrhea is caused by a bacteria or ingestion of a toxin should not be given Loperamide.

USE CAUTION WHEN ADMINISTERING THIS DRUG TO CATS - it may cause increased excitement in cats.

USE CAUTION WHEN ADMINISTERING THIS DRUG TO PETS WITH KIDNEY OR LIVER DISEASE, HYPOTHYROIDISM, ADDISON’S DISEASE

USE CAUTION WHEN ADMINISTERING THIS DRUG TO PREGNANT OR LACTATING PETS

USE CAUTION WHEN ADMINISTERING THIS DRUG TO OLDER PETS

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