Generic Imodium is an antidiarrhoeal medicine with an active component — loperamide, which slows the intestinal peristalsis. Simply put, this component helps fight against diarrhea effectively. As a result, it takes much longer time for undigested food to overcome the path to the rectum. That is, the process of defecation is delayed, and the stomach gets time to return to normal. After taking the remedy, the sick person feels relieved; the spasmodic pain in the abdominal region weakens. Also, during diarrhea, a special danger for the patient is dehydration, the organism quickly loses moisture. Especially dangerous is the condition for babies and toddlers. This medicine helps to avoid dehydration of the organism.
How does generic Imodium work?
In normal conditions, the intestine absorbs 99% of water, but during diarrhea this ability is disrupted. That is why with diarrhea there is a loose stool with high water content. Also, with diarrhea, the work of the intestine is much accelerated, so people often cannot control the situation.
Imodium affects the main unpleasant signs, namely:
• Normalizes the absorption of salts and water by the intestine
• Normalizes the work of the muscles of this organ
• Reduces the discharge of fluid into the lumen of the intestine
All this gives the desired result — diarrhea stops. But you have to be very careful.
Every reaction of the human organism from a physiological point of view is expedient. For example, vomiting and loose stools contribute to the rapid removal of microbes and their toxins from the organism. If the intestinal contents stay for a long time in the intestine, the microbial toxins are absorbed into the blood and only prolong the course of the sickness.
Therefore, if diarrhea returned, or it is not known why it started at the first place, the sick person should consult a medic. Generic Imodium 2 mg perfectly copes with the symptoms; meanwhile, the infection has not gone away.
Imodium for kids and adults is a reliable and safe assistant in case of stool disorders. It is often used as a means of symptomatic treatment of chronic and acute diarrhea (other than provoked by taking antibiotics). Also, the medicine is often used to treat people with ileostomy in order to reduce the frequency and bring the stool back to normal.
The daily dose of the medicine, according to Imodium instruction, makes sixteen milligrams, not more. Moreover, for kids the dosage is calculated based on body weight, but it also cannot exceed the daily norm.
If an adult person is suffering from acute diarrhea the initial dose should be 4 mg, and for a kid 6 years of age or older Imodium dose makes 2 mg. Further, in the presence of a loose stool, regardless of age, 2 mg is taken after every new act of defecation.
In chronic gastric disorders, the initial dose is similar to that for acute diarrhea. Then the dose is selected so that the daily frequency of the stool approaches 1-2 times a day. This is achieved by taking maintenance doses of 2-12 mg. A maintenance dose should be determined by a medical specialist.
This preparation can be found in the form of capsules, chewable pills and Imodium resorption pills. However, the most common and favorite form of release for consumers are Imodium resorption pills. Why is that? The medicine for symptomatic treatment of diarrhea Imodium, produced in the form of tablets for resorption, has the same pharmacological effect as capsules against diarrhea, but they have a number of additional advantages. For example, they can be used even if a sick person is experiencing a feeling of nausea.
But that's not all, other benefits include:
• They dissolve in the mouth under the action of saliva in 2-3 seconds, which is 50 times faster than capsules
• Do not require water for washing down the pill
• Start to act already in the mouth; due to which they have higher bioavailability, the therapeutic effect comes faster
• Do not cause swallowing problems in little kids, elderly people, weakened patients and patients suffering from dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) and neurological disorders
• Are convenient in application in any life situation
Yet, despite the proven safety of the medicine, there are people for whom Imodium is not a recommended remedy. First, they are people with increased sensitivity to the medicine. That is, with allergies to one or more ingredients of these pills. Also, people with acute dysentery (especially at elevated body temperature and the presence of blood clot stools) should choose another medicine for the treatment of diarrhea. Imodium should not be used in the presence of acute ulcerative and pseudomembranous colitis, induced by the administration of antibiotics, bacterial enterocolitis and pathologies of peristalsis of the intestine. It is not reasonable to use it with constipation, as has already been mentioned, this preparation slows the functioning of the intestine, and with constipation it is not fast enough anyway, do not exacerbate the situation. Also, Imodium should not be used by people with intolerance to lactose, with violations of the liver. For kids under the age of 4 should be chosen a more suitable drug. Imodium contradictions should be discussed with a medic.
Of course, you should always remember about the possible Imodium side effects. They are very rare and are often the result of an overdose, an inexpedient application of the drug and generally an irrelevant attitude towards treatment. To avoid problems associated with Imodium, you first need to know when to stop taking it. This should be done if:
• Within two days there is no improvement in the condition
• Bloody feces appeared
• There is an improvement, the number of defecation acts does not exceed twice a day
• The sick can’t defecate for twelve hours
You also need to know what troubles can arise as a consequence of Imodium treatment. If one or more of the signs listed below are observed, you should immediately seek medical help.
• Dizziness
• Headaches
• Malaise and weakness
• Problems with sleep
• Bad coordination
• Thirst
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Colic and cramping in the stomach
• Flatulence
• Intestinal obstruction
• Retention of urination
• Rashes on the skin and other allergic reactions
According to medical statistics, generic Imodium is among the most effective means of diarrhea. It helps to cope with one of the most common digestive system diseases. This is fully confirmed by Imodium reviews, where it is noted that the improvement occurs already half an hour after admission.
