Lopedium: an effective antidiarrheal agent
Lopedium is one of the most widely used drugs for the treatment of diarrhea. It belongs to the pharmaceutical group of antidiarrheals and is produced in Germany by Hexal Pharma GmbH. The international name of the drug is Loperamide. It is also known by various synonyms, including Vero-Loperamide, Diarol, Imodium, Lopedium ISO, Loperamide, Loperamide-Ratiopharm, Loperamide-Acri, Loperamide-Rivo, Loperamide-Rivopharm, Loperamide hydrochloride, Loperamide hydrochloride "LH", Neo-enteroseptol, Superilop and Enterobene.
Lopedium is available in the form of tablets and capsules containing 2 mg of the active substance - loperamide. It is actively used for the symptomatic treatment of acute and chronic diarrhea, as well as for ileostomy to reduce the frequency and volume of stools and give firmness to its consistency.
Like any medicine, Lopedium has some contraindications. The use of the drug is not recommended for hypersensitivity to loperamide, dysentery (especially with the presence of blood in the stool and elevated temperature), ulcerative colitis in the acute stage, acute pseudomembranous colitis, as well as during pregnancy, breastfeeding and in children under 6 years of age.
Side effects may occur when using Lopedium. Some of these include drowsiness, dizziness, weakness, fatigue, dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and rare cases of constipation or bloating.
At the moment, there is no reliable data on the interaction of Lopedium with other drugs.
In case of an overdose of Lopedium, symptoms such as depression of the central nervous system (stupor, loss of coordination, drowsiness, constriction of the pupils, increased muscle tension, respiratory depression) and intestinal obstruction may occur. In such cases, naloxone is used as an antidote. It should be noted that the duration of action of loperamide exceeds the duration of action of naloxone.
When treating diarrhea with Lopedium, especially in children, it is important to replace lost fluids and electrolytes. If acute diarrhea does not improve clinically within 48 hours or other alarming symptoms appear, you should consult a doctor.
It is important to remember that Lopedium is a symptomatic drug and is not recommended for long-term use without a doctor's prescription. It is intended to temporarily relieve the symptoms of diarrhea, but does not treat the underlying cause. If diarrhea persists or worsens after using Lopedium, you should consult a doctor to determine the cause and prescribe appropriate treatment.
It is also important to pay attention to the correct dosage of Lopedium. The dosage depends on the age and condition of the patient, so you should strictly follow the doctor's instructions or instructions for use. It is not recommended to exceed the recommended dose without consulting your doctor.
In conclusion, Lopedium is an effective antidiarrheal agent that is widely used for the symptomatic treatment of various types of diarrhea. However, before using it, you should consult your doctor to exclude contraindications and assess the suitability of the drug for your condition and the cause of diarrhea.