Loperamide tablets or capsules

What is this medicine?

LOPERAMIDE (loe PER a mide) is used to treat diarrhea.

How should I use this medicine?

Take this medicine by mouth with a glass of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue

• bloated, swollen feeling in your abdomen

• blurred vision

• loss of appetite

• signs and symptoms of a dangerous change in heartbeat or heart rhythm like chest pain; dizziness; fast or irregular heartbeat palpitations; feeling faint or lightheaded, falls; breathing problems

• stomach pain

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• constipation

• drowsiness or dizziness

• dry mouth

• nausea, vomiting

What may interact with this medicine?

Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:

• alosetron

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

• cimetidine

• clarithromycin

• erythromycin

• gemfibrozil

• itraconazole

• ketoconazole

• quinidine

• quinine

• ranitidine

• ritonavir

• saquinavir

What if I miss a dose?

This does not apply. This medicine is not for regular use. Only take this medicine while you continue to have loose bowel movements. Do not take more medicine than recommended by the packaging label or by your healthcare professional.

Where should I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 25 degrees C (59 and 77 degrees F). Keep container tightly closed. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• a black or bloody stool

• bacterial food poisoning

• colitis or mucus in your stool

• currently taking an antibiotic medication for an infection

• fever

• history of irregular heartbeat

• liver disease

• severe abdominal pain, swelling or bulging

• an unusual or allergic reaction to loperamide, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

• pregnant or trying to get pregnant

• breast-feeding

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

Do not take this medicine for more than 2 days without asking your doctor or health care professional. Do not use doses higher than those prescribed by your doctor or listed on the label. Check with your doctor or health care professional right away if you develop a fever, severe abdominal pain, swelling or bulging, or if you have have bloody/black diarrhea or stools.

You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medicine affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Alcohol can increase possible drowsiness and dizziness. Avoid alcoholic drinks.

Your mouth may get dry. Chewing sugarless gum or sucking hard candy, and drinking plenty of water may help. Contact your doctor if the problem does not go away or is severe. Drinking plenty of water can also help prevent dehydration that can occur with diarrhea.

Elderly patients may have a more variable response to the effects of this medicine, and are more susceptible to the effects of dehydration.