DRUGS AND SUPPLEMENTS

Loperamide; Simethicone

March 21, 2017

Loperamide Hydrochloride, Simethicone Chewable tablet

What is this medicine?

LOPERAMIDE; SIMETHICONE (loe PER a mide; sye METH i kone) is a combination product used to treat diarrhea and to decrease the discomfort caused by gas.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

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

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

  • blood or mucus in your stools

  • food poisoning

  • currently taking an antibiotic for an infection

  • fever

  • liver disease

  • stomach or intestine problems

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

  • pregnant or trying to get pregnant

  • breast-feeding

How should I use this medicine?

Take this medicine by mouth. Chew it completely before swallowing. Follow the directions on the label. Drink a full glass of water after taking this medicine. Do not take it more often than directed.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this drug may be prescribed for children as young as 6 years of age for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

Overdosage: If you think you've taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

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.

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

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

Tell your doctor or healthcare professional if your symptoms do not start to get better within two days or if they get worse. 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 may interfere with the effect of this medicine.

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.

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

  • bloating

  • 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 these to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome.):

  • constipation

  • dizziness

  • dry mouth

  • nausea, vomiting

  • tiredness

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where should I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store between 20 and 25 degrees C (68 and 77 degrees F). Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.

Loperamide Hydrochloride, Simethicone Oral tablet

What is this medicine?

LOPERAMIDE; SIMETHICONE (loe PER a mide; sye METH i kone) is a combination product used to treat diarrhea and to decrease the discomfort caused by gas.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

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

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

  • blood or mucus in your stools

  • food poisoning

  • currently taking an antibiotic for an infection

  • fever

  • liver disease

  • stomach or intestine problems

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

  • pregnant or trying to get pregnant

  • breast-feeding

How should I use this medicine?

Take this medicine by mouth with a glass of water. Follow the directions on the label. Do not take it more often than directed.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this drug may be prescribed for children as young as 6 years of age for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

Overdosage: If you think you've taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

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.

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

  • quinidinequinine

  • ranitidine

  • ritonavir

  • saquinavir

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

Tell your doctor or healthcare professional if your symptoms do not start to get better within two days or if they get worse. 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 may interfere with the effect of this medicine.

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.

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

  • bloating

  • 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 these to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome.):

  • constipation

  • dizziness

  • dry mouth

  • nausea, vomiting

  • tiredness

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where should I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store between 20 and 25 degrees C (68 and 77 degrees F). Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.

Updated:  

March 21, 2017

Sources:  

U.S. FDA-approved Package Insert