What is Loperamide?
Loperamide capsules are a treatment for diarrhoea in adults and children aged 12 years and over. It is the generic version of a medicine called Imodium, which has been used for many years as an effective diarrhoea treatment.

Loperamide is used to treat acute cases of diarrhoea. There are several causes of diarrhoea: infection, allergy, stress, appendicitis, or a bad reaction to food, medicine or alcohol. Acute cases often pass after a few days of rest, but more serious instances can result in dehydration, headaches, nausea or stomach pain. Importantly, loperamide will control the symptoms of diarrhoea but will not treat the underlying cause. Loperamide is also often used to treat occasional bouts of diarrhoea that occur with chronic bowel conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Loperamide works by slowing down bowel movements and allowing the bowel to absorb more water and electrolytes. The active ingredient, loperamide hydrochloride, affects the sensitivity of certain nerve receptors in the intestines. This reduces the frequency of muscular contractions, which slows down the passage of food and allows the intestines to better absorb water from the waste. As a result, bowel movements are firmer and occur less frequently.

Loperamide capsules are to be swallowed whole, with water if necessary.

The dose for adults and children aged 12 years and over is two capsules, followed by one extra capsule after each loose bowel movement. Do not take more than six capsules in any 24 hour period.

When taking this medication, it’s recommended to take on more fluids than usual.

Not everyone will experience side effects when they take Loperamide, however, if you do these can include:

Common (more than 1 in 100): Headache, nausea, constipation, wind.
Uncommon (more than 1 in 1000): Dizziness, abdominal pain, abdominal discomfort, dry mouth, vomiting, dyspepsia, rash.
If you are concerned about these effects, or if the product affects you in any other way, stop using it and talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

For a full list of side effects, please ensure you read the loperamide patient information leaflet in full and the leaflet that comes contained within the product packaging.

Please ensure you read the loperamide patient information leaflet in full and the leaflet that comes contained within the product packaging.

This medication can be bought from us or any other registered pharmacy without a prescription. To purchase this item, please ensure that the safety questionnaire is completed (this should have appeared when opening this page). This helps our responsible pharmacist ascertain the safety and suitablity of this medicine. 

Once you completed the Goodcure safety form that appears automatically when you click on your desired treatment, you can close the pop up window and continue with your purchase. The responsible pharmacist will review your answers to ensure that this treatment is safe and suitable for you before issuing the supply. All requests are usually reviewed within the hour (during work hours).

This information is required so that the pharmacist can get in touch with you if they need more information to ascertain the safety and suitability of this treatment.

Patient confidentiality is one of our top priorities, both the form you fill and the phone consultation are strictly confidential between you and the pharmacist.

The price you see is inclusive of the consultation fee, so you will not have to pay anything extra and there are no hidden fees.

When you make a purchase, it is usually reviewed within the hour. If a purchase is made outside of work hours, it will be reviewed the next working day. Items are shipped either the same or the next day and you will recieve a notification when it is shipped.