The effectiveness of any antidiarrheal agents in the treatment of nonspecific diarrhea is questionable. Preferably therapy, including correction of water-electrolyte balance, nutritional support and, if possible, elimination of the cause of diarrhea.
Loperamide is not recommended in children younger than 6 years, except for a special doctor. It is also not recommended as a routine therapy for diarrhea of the first line in infections or food allergies in older children who do not have concomitant pathology.
Can not use loperamide with diarrhea accompanied by fever or an admixture of blood or mucus in the feces.
Maximum doses: in the form of capsules - 16 mg per day (8 mg per day for self-administration without doctor's appointment); in the form of a solution for oral administration or tablets - 8 mg per day (30 drops of 0.002% solution) for 2 days.
The maximum duration of therapy in children: 4-8 years - 3 days; 8-12 years - 5 days; over 12 years old - similar to that for adults.
Inhibition of intestinal peristalsis can lead to fluid retention, enhancing and masking dehydration, and electrolyte disturbances, especially in young children. With the development of dehydration or electrolyte disorders, discontinuation of loperamide therapy and the initiation of adequate corrective therapy are necessary.
In acute ulcerative colitis, treatment with loperamide should be discontinued when there is an increase in the abdomen or other signs of a toxic megacolon.
Addiction or physical dependence on loperamide in humans is not described, but morphine-like dependence is described in monkeys when taking high doses of loperamide.
In acute diarrhea, treatment with loperamide should be discontinued if there is no improvement within 48 hours. In chronic diarrhea, if there is no response to the maximum dose within 10 days, a further answer is unlikely.