Anti-Diarrheal (LOPE)-Anti-Gas (loperamide HCl/simethicone)
Last reviewed · Source: First Databank (FDB) drug data
Overview
Loperamide hydrochloride, a synthetic piperidine-derivative, is an antiperistaltic antidiarrhea agent.
Simethicone, a mixture of fully methylated linear siloxane polymers, is an antiflatulent secondary to its antifoam properties.
USES: See also Warning section. This combination medication is used to treat diarrhea and symptoms of gas (such as cramps, bloating, pressure). Loperamide works by slowing down the movement of the gut.
This decreases the number of bowel movements and makes the stool less watery. Simethicone helps break up gas bubbles in the gut. This product treats only the symptoms, not the cause of the diarrhea (such as infection).
Treatment of other symptoms and the cause of the diarrhea should be determined by your doctor.
Generic name: loperamide HCl/simethicone
Pronunciation: (low-PAIR-uh-mide/sye-METH-ih-cone)
Reference product & biosimilars
No reference, biosimilar or interchangeable associated with this drug.
Today’s intelligence on Anti-Diarrheal (LOPE)-Anti-Gas
Indications
The following indications are listed for Anti-Diarrheal (LOPE)-Anti-Gas:
- Diarrhea
- Diarrhea Secondary To Inflammatory Bowel Disease
- Traveler's Diarrhea
Also known as: Diarrhea Due To Inflammatory Bowel Diseases, Diarrhea Secondary To Ibd.
Dosing
Dosage of loperamide hydrochloride is expressed in terms of the salt.
The usual dosage of simethicone for adults and children older than 12 years of age is 40-125 mg 4 times daily after meals and at bedtime. The drug also may be taken as necessary or as directed by a physician; higher than usual dosages have been used. For self-medication, total dosage should not exceed 500 mg daily. A simethicone dosage of 20 mg 4 times daily after meals and at bedtime (with a maximum dosage for self-medication of 120 mg daily) is recommended for children younger than 2 years of age, and a dosage of 40 mg 4 times daily after meals and at bedtime (with a maximum dosage for self-medication of 240 mg daily) is recommended for children 2-12 years of age.
Prior to gastroscopy or radiography of the intestine, adults have been given a single dose of 67 mg of simethicone as the oral suspension, in 2.5 mL of water.
Dosage adjustments are not necessary when loperamide hydrochloride is used in patients with renal impairment.
Loperamide hydrochloride should be used with caution in patients with hepatic impairment since first-pass metabolism may be decreased in such patients. (See Cautions: Precautions and Contraindications.)
Loperamide hydrochloride is administered orally.
The oral solution or suspension should be administered using only the calibrated measuring cup provided by the manufacturer; the suspension should be shaken well prior to each dose.
Patients should receive appropriate fluid and electrolyte replacement as needed. Patients using the drug for self-medication should be advised to drink plenty of clear fluids to help prevent dehydration caused by diarrhea.
Simethicone is administered orally. Simethicone chewable tablets should be chewed thoroughly before swallowing. Simethicone liquid-filled capsules should not be chewed.
No dosing information is available for this tab.
No dosing information is available for this tab.
Drug interactions
There is no enhanced messaging for this drug.
There are no contraindication interactions for this drug.
There are no severe interactions for this drug.
There are no moderate interactions for this drug.
Contraindications
There is no enhanced messaging for this drug.
There are no contraindication contraindications for this drug.
There are no severe contraindications for this drug.
There are no moderate contraindications for this drug.
Adverse reactions
There is no enhanced messaging for this drug.
There are no severe adverse reactions for this drug.
There are no less severe adverse reactions for this drug.
Precautions
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There are no adequate and well-controlled studies using loperamide in pregnant women, and the drug should be used during pregnancy only if potential benefits to the woman justify potential risks to the fetus.
Reproduction studies in rats and rabbits using loperamide hydrochloride dosages up to 40 mg/kg daily (43 times the human dosage based on body surface comparison) did not reveal evidence of teratogenicity; however, a dosage of 40 mg/kg daily in rats produced impaired growth and survival of offspring.
Because loperamide is distributed into milk in low concentrations, the drug is not recommended in nursing women.
No enhanced messaging available.
ICD codes
No ICD codes are available for this drug.
Formulary status
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Last reviewed · Source: First Databank (FDB) drug data
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