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| Indications: |
Rx: Symptomatic relief of acute nonspecific diarrhea and of chronic diarrhea associated with inflammatory bowel disease. Decrease the volume of discharge from ileostomies.
OTC: Control symptoms of diarrhea, including traveler's diarrhea. Investigational: With trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole to treat traveler's diarrhea. |
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| Contraindications: |
| In clients in whom constipation should be avoided. OTC if body temperature is over 101°F (38°C) and in presence of bloody diarrhea. Use in acute diarrhea associated with organisms that penetrate the intestinal mucosa, such as E. coli, Salmonella and Shigella. |
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| Special Concerns: |
| Safe use in children under 2 years of age and during lactation has not been established. Fluid and electrolyte depletion may occur in clients with diarrhea. Children less than 3 years of age are more sensitive to the narcotic effects of loperamide. |
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| Side Effects: |
| GI: Abdominal pain, distention, or discomfort. Constipation, dry mouth, N&V, epigastric distress. Toxic megacolon in clients with acute colitis. CNS: Drowsiness, dizziness, fatigue. Other: Allergic skin rashes. |
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| Overdose Management: |
| Symptoms: Constipation, CNS depression, GI irritation. Treatment: Give activated charcoal (it will reduce absorption up to ninefold). If vomiting has not occurred, perform gastric lavage followed by activated charcoal, 100 g, through a gastric tube. Give naloxone for respiratory depression. |
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| Drug Interactions: |
| No Available information |
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| Dosage: |
Rx Capsules, Liquid Acute diarrhea.
Adults, initial: 4 mg, followed by 2 mg after each unformed stool, up to maximum of 16 mg/day. Pediatric: Day 1 doses: 8-12 years: 2 mg t.i.d.; 6-8 years: 2 mg b.i.d.; 2-5 years: 1 mg t.i.d. using only the liquid. After day 1: 1 mg/10 kg after a loose stool (total daily dosage should not exceed day 1 recommended doses).
Chronic diarrhea.
Adults: 4-8 mg/day as a single or divided dose. Dosage not established for chronic diarrhea in children.
•OTC Oral Solution, Tablets Acute diarrhea.
Adults: 4 mg after the first loose bowel movement followed by 2 mg after each subsequent bowel movement to a maximum of 8 mg/day for no more than 2 days. Pediatric, 9-11 years: 2 mg after the first loose bowel movement followed by 1 mg after each subsequent loose bowel movement, not to exceed 6 mg/day for no more than 2 days. Pediatric, 6-8 years: 1 mg after the first bowel movement followed by 1 mg after each subsequent loose bowel movement, not to exceed 4 mg/day for no more than 2 days. |
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