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Loperamide hydrochloride is an antidiarrheal medicine sold in prescription and over-the-counter formulations. Current prescription labeling includes symptomatic relief of acute nonspecific diarrhea in patients age 2 and older, chronic diarrhea associated with inflammatory bowel disease in adults, and reduction of ileostomy discharge. Over-the-counter products are used for temporary control of diarrhea, including travelers' diarrhea.
read more about loperamide ...Loperamide binds to opioid receptors in the intestinal wall and decreases the release of acetylcholine and prostaglandins. This slows intestinal movement, increases transit time, and reduces the loss of water and electrolytes in stool. At recommended doses, its activity is primarily within the gastrointestinal tract.
Loperamide is used for selected acute diarrheal illnesses and for adult chronic diarrhea under prescription supervision. It is contraindicated in children younger than 2 and in patients with acute dysentery, acute ulcerative colitis, certain invasive bacterial intestinal infections, or Clostridioides difficile-associated pseudomembranous colitis. Product-specific pediatric directions differ.
Adults with acute diarrhea commonly take 4 mg initially, followed by 2 mg after each loose stool. The maximum adult daily dose is 8 mg for over-the-counter use and 16 mg for prescription use. Prescription treatment of chronic diarrhea begins with the same regimen and is adjusted according to stool frequency, with a maximum of 16 mg daily. Children follow age- and weight-specific directions.
Excessive loperamide doses can cause QT prolongation, torsades de pointes, ventricular arrhythmias, cardiac arrest, and death. Serious gastrointestinal concerns include paralytic ileus, abdominal distention, and toxic megacolon. Some medicines can increase loperamide concentrations and cardiac risk. Adequate fluid and electrolyte replacement remains necessary during diarrhea.
Loperamide treats selected acute diarrhea and, under prescription supervision, adult chronic diarrhea and excessive ileostomy discharge.
The usual starting dose is 4 mg, followed by 2 mg after each loose stool.
The adult maximum is 8 mg daily for over-the-counter use and 16 mg daily for prescription use.
Yes. Excessive doses can cause dangerous heart rhythm disturbances, cardiac arrest, and death.
DailyMed - LOPERAMIDE HYDROCHLORIDE capsule. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/lookup.cfm?setid=74b9893a-18c3-4117-85c2-edab8e7b3b3b. Date Accessed October 13, 2026.
Loperamide. Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK501297/. Date Accessed October 13, 2026.
Loperamide. MedlinePlus. https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682280.html. Date Accessed October 13, 2026.
Loperamide. PubChem. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Loperamide. Date Accessed October 13, 2026.
Loperamide. StatPearls. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557885/. Date Accessed October 13, 2026.