Antimotility drugs (Formulary)

TAM (Treatments and Medicines) NHS Highland
NHS Highland

Loperamide is suitable for long-term therapy, provided there is an established diagnosis, as it has fewer CNS side-effects and less potential for dependence.

Treatment of infective diarrhoea is included in the local Management of Infection guidance.

LOPERAMIDE - (First line)

Therapy notes

MHRA advice: Loperamide (Imodium): reports of serious cardiac adverse reactions with high doses of loperamide associated with abuse or misuse (September 2017) (www.gov.uk)

  • For faecal incontinence off-label initially 500 micrograms daily (unlicensed syrup 1mg/5mL) then increasing the dose until desired stool consistency is reached.  Maximum 16mg daily in divided doses.  Doses 2mg and above should be with the licensed capsule.  

Formulation and dosage details

Formulation:

Capsules 2mg

Dosage:

4mg initially followed by 2mg after each loose stool for up to 5 days, maximum 16mg daily.

Formulation and dosage details

Formulation:

Orodispersible tablets 2mg (specialist initiation)

Dosage:

Orodispersible tablets are for specialist initiation in patients who have had colectomies and who have either an end ileostomy or have an ileoanal J-pouch.

CODEINE

Therapy notes

Formulation and dosage details

Formulation:

Tablets 15mg, 30mg

Dosage:

30mg 3 to 4 times daily.

Editorial Information

Document Id: F217