Active ingredient
- loperamide hydrochloride
Legal Category
GSL: General Sales List
GSL: General Sales List
The Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) is the leaflet included in the pack with a medicine. It is written for patients and gives information about taking or using a medicine. It is possible that the leaflet in your medicine pack may differ from this version because it may have been updated since your medicine was packaged.
Below is a text only representation of the Patient Information Leaflet. The original leaflet can be viewed using the link above.
The text only version may be available in large print, Braille or audio CD. For further information call emc accessibility on 0800 198 5000. The product code(s) for this leaflet is: PL 29831/0131.
Loperamide 2mg Hard Capsules (PL 29831/0131)
Package leaflet: Information for the user
Loperamide 2mg Hard Capsules
Loperamide hydrochloride 2mg
Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine because it contains important information for you.
Always take this medicine exactly as described in this leaflet or as your doctor, pharmacist or nurse have told you.
What is in this leaflet:
1. What Loperamide 2mg Hard Capsules are and what they are used for
2. What you need to know before you take Loperamide 2mg Hard Capsules
3. How to take Loperamide 2mg Hard Capsules
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Loperamide 2mg Hard Capsules
6. Contents of the pack and other information
1. What Loperamide 2mg Hard Capsules are and what they are used for
Loperamide 2mg Hard Capsules are used to treat two types of diarrhoea.
The two types have different age limits.
Short-term diarrhoea
IBS diarrhoea
The capsules contain loperamide hydrochloride, a substance that helps reduce diarrhoea by slowing down an overactive bowel.
This allows water and salts that are usually lost in diarrhoea to be absorbed by the body.
2. What you need to know before you take Loperamide 2mg Hard Capsules
This medicine is suitable for most people, but a few people should not use it:
Do not take Loperamide 2mg Hard Capsules:
If any of these applies to you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist and do not take Loperamide 2mg Hard Capsules.
Warnings and Precautions
Do not take this product for anything other than its intended use (see section 1) and never take more than the recommended amount (see section 3). Serious heart problems (symptoms of which include fast or irregular heartbeat) have been reported in patients who have taken too much loperamide, the active ingredient in Loperamide 2mg Hard Capsules.
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Loperamide 2mg Hard Capsules
If you are unsure about any of the medicines you are taking, show the bottle or pack to your pharmacist. If any of these applies to you (now or in the past), talk to a doctor or pharmacist.
Special warnings about this medicine
Your body can lose large amounts of fluids and salts when you have diarrhoea. You need to replace the fluid by drinking more liquid than usual. Ask your pharmacist about rehydration therapy to replace lost salts. This is especially important for children, and frail or older people.
Extra warnings for IBS patients
Use only if your doctor has previously diagnosed IBS.
Check the following:
Do not take this medicine:
Talk to your doctor first:
If any of these applies to you, talk to your doctor before taking Loperamide 2mg Hard Capsules.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
Driving and using machines
This medicine may make you feel dizzy, tired or sleepy. You may feel less alert, feel faint or pass out. If you’re affected do not drive, cycle or use machines.
Loperamide 2mg Hard Capsules contain lactose
This product contains lactose. If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicinal product.
3. How to take Loperamide 2mg Hard Capsules
Always take this medicine exactly as described in this leaflet or as your doctor or pharmacist has told you.
Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
Check the tables below to see how much medicine to take.
Short-term diarrhoea
Age Dose
Adults and children aged 12 and over Take two capsules to start treatment.
Take one capsule after each loose bowel movement.
How long to take Loperamide 2mg Hard Capsules for short-term diarrhoea
You can use this medicine for up to 48 hours. If your attack lasts longer than 48 hours, stop taking Loperamide 2mg Hard Capsules and talk to your doctor.
IBS diarrhoea
Age Dose
Adults aged 18 and over Take two capsules to start treatment.
Take one capsule after each loose bowel movement (or as advised by your doctor).
Talk to your doctor and stop taking this medicine:
How long to take Loperamide 2mg Hard Capsules for IBS diarrhoea
You can use this medicine for up to 2 weeks for repeated attacks of IBS diarrhoea. But if any one attack lasts for longer than 48 hours, stop taking Loperamide 2mg Hard Capsules and talk to your doctor.
If you take more Loperamide 2mg Hard Capsules than you should
If you have taken too many Loperamide 2mg Hard Capsules, immediately contact a doctor or hospital for advice. Symptoms may include: increased heart rate, irregular heartbeat, changes to your heartbeat (these symptoms can have potentially serious, life-threatening consequences), muscle stiffness, uncoordinated movements, drowsiness, difficulty urinating, or weak breathing.
Children react more strongly to large amounts of Loperamide 2mg Hard Capsules than adults. If a child takes too much or shows any of the above symptoms, call a doctor immediately.
If you forget to take Loperamide 2mg Hard Capsules
You should only take this medicine as you need it, following the dosage instructions above carefully. If you forget to take a dose, take a dose after the next loose stool (bowel movement). Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.
4. Possible side effects
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
Most are usually mild.
Get medical help at once
Rare: (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people)
If you get any of these, stop using the medicine and get medical help at once.
Talk to a doctor as soon as possible
Uncommon: (may affect up to 1 in 100 people)
Rare: (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people)
If you notice any of the above, stop using the medicine and talk to a doctor.
Other effects that may occur
Common: (may affect up to 1 in 10 people)
Uncommon: (may affect up to 1 in 100 people)
Rare: (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people)
Reporting of side effects
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard
By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
5. How to store Loperamide 2mg Hard Capsules
Keep out of the sight and reach of children.
Store in the original container in order to protect from moisture.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the outside packaging {EXP}. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste.
Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use.
These measures will help protect the environment.
6. Contents of the pack and other information
What Loperamide 2mg Hard Capsules contain
The active substance is Loperamide hydrochloride. Each hard gelatin capsule contains 2mg Loperamide hydrochloride.
The other ingredients are maize starch, lactose, povidone, sodium starch glycollate and magnesium stearate. The capsule shell contains gelatin, titanium dioxide (E171), iron oxides (E172) and patent blue V (E131). The printing ink contains shellac, simeticone, titanium dioxide (E171) and propylene glycol (E1520) (see section 2).
What Loperamide 2mg Hard Capsules look like and contents of the pack
The medicine is enclosed in a green and dark grey capsule. The pack contains 6 capsules.
Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer
Marketing Authorisation Holder
Manufacturer
Other formats:
To listen to or request a copy of this leaflet in Braille, large print or audio please call, free of charge:
0800 198 5000 (UK Only)
Please be ready to give the following information:
Product Name Reference Number
Loperamide 2mg Hard Capsules 29831/0131
This leaflet was last revised in 04/2017
104602/6
Ash Road North, Wrexham Industrial Estate, Wrexham, LL13 9UF
+44 (0)1978 661 261