What is Lopradium?

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1. What is Lopradium?

Lopradium 2mg drug has the main ingredient Loperamide 2mg and excipients such as Aerosil, Wheat starch, benzoic acid, Magnesium stearate.
Loperamide is a synthetic opiate, it is used to treat symptoms in cases of acute diarrhea of ​​unknown cause and chronic diarrhea. The mechanism of action of Loperamide is to decrease intestinal motility, reduce gastrointestinal secretions, and increase anal sphincter tone. In addition, the drug also has the effect of prolonging the transit time of food through the intestine, increasing the transport of fluids and electrolytes through the intestinal mucosa, thereby reducing the loss of water and electrolytes during diarrhea and reducing the amount of stool. .
So what is Lopradium medicine? It is indicated in the following cases:
Symptomatic treatment of acute diarrhea of ​​unknown etiology. Treatment in some chronic diarrhea. You should not use the drug in the following cases:
Hypersensitivity to any ingredient of the drug. When the patient is in need to avoid inhibiting intestinal motility. The patient has liver damage, diarrhea due to severe colitis, pseudomembranous colitis, dysentery syndrome. Abdominal distension. Children under 6 years old and pregnant women.

2. Usage and dosage of Lopradium

How to use the drug: The drug is made in the form of hard capsules, so it is used orally. When taking, do not chew the tablet, take the whole tablet with boiled water to cool it and take it after eating.
Dosage:
Acute diarrhea:
Adults: The starting dose is 4 mg, then take 2 mg for each loose bowel movement. Maximum use for 5 days. The usual dose is 6 to 8 mg/day, up to a maximum of 16 mg/day. Children: Loperamide is not recommended for routine use in children in the treatment of acute diarrhea. For children from 6 to 12 years old: Oral 0.08 - 0.24 mg/kg/day divided into 2 or 3 times. Or you can calculate the dose by taking children from 6 to 8 years old, taking 2 mg, 2 times daily. Children from 8 to 12 years old: Take 2 mg, 3 times a day. Chronic diarrhea
Adults: Initial dose is 4mg, then 2mg with each loose stool until diarrhea can stop. The maintenance dose is 4 - 8 mg/day, divided into 2 doses per dose. The maximum dose is 16mg/day. If diarrhea does not improve with 16mg/day for at least 10 days, you should not continue taking the drug, but should find another method. Children: Dosage for chronic diarrhea has not been established.

3. What are the side effects of taking Lopradium?

When taking the drug can cause some side effects such as:
Common side effects are constipation, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. Less common are fatigue, dizziness, headache, abdominal distension, dry mouth. More rarely, intestinal obstruction due to paralytic ileus, manifests as abdominal pain, vomiting, bowel obstruction, and abdominal distension. Allergic reactions causing difficulty breathing, rash, abdominal pain... When taking the drug, if you see mild side effects, you should notify your doctor for advice. However, if you experience serious side effects such as intestinal obstruction or an allergic reaction, you need to seek medical attention promptly.

4. Notes when taking the drug Lopradium

When taking the drug, you should note the following:
Before taking the medicine, tell your doctor or pharmacist about any history of allergies, especially allergies to the ingredients of the drug, comorbidities, other medical conditions. medications being used to avoid unwanted effects; The use of this drug is not recommended in patients with acute diarrhea caused by microorganisms or the cause caused by microorganisms has not been ruled out, because this may interfere with the natural mechanism of elimination of bacteria and viruses. of body. When taking the drug, you should combine it with the addition of water and electrolytes. Because acute diarrhea can cause the body to lose water and electrolytes. It should be used with caution in patients with reduced liver function or ulcerative colitis, should stop the drug if it is not effective after 48 hours of use. Because it reduces bowel movements, it is necessary to monitor bowel movements, stool volume, and body temperature. Monitor abdominal distension for timely treatment. Use caution when using for people who are driving and operating machinery when there are unwanted effects such as headache, dizziness. Pregnant women do not have enough studies to prove safety, so you should not take this medicine when you are in this group. Lactation: Research has shown that loperamide is excreted in breast milk very little, so it can be used in lactating women, but should be used at a lower dose. During the course of treatment, it is necessary to follow the doctor's instructions and do not increase or decrease the amount of medication taken by yourself to get the desired effect quickly. Adverse drug effects may be more likely due to drug interactions. This may occur when used with tricyclic antidepressants, phenothiazines, central nervous system depressants. Overdose can occur when you take more than the maximum dose, about 60 mg Loperamide per day. Manifestations of overdose include respiratory and central nervous system depression, abdominal cramps, gastrointestinal irritation, constipation, nausea, and vomiting. In case of overdose, it is necessary to treat by gastric lavage and monitor and treat other abnormal signs. Store the medicine in a cool place, away from sunlight and out of reach of children. Do not use the medicine after the expiry date and signs of deterioration. Hopefully, through the article you know what lopradium is and in what cases it is used, what should be noted when using it. If you have any questions during use, you should consult your doctor or pharmacist.
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