Lopide Tablet

Lopide Tablet contains loperamide in each tablet and is used to help control diarrhea by slowing bowel movements. Loperamide is an antidiarrheal medicine, not an antibiotic, and it does not treat the cause of most infections. Lopide Tablet is used for short-term control of diarrhea and for reducing the number of loose stools so fluid loss is less likely. It should be used exactly as directed by a clinician, especially if diarrhea is severe, bloody, or lasts more than a couple of days.

How it works: Loperamide works in the gut by slowing the movement of the intestines, which gives the body more time to absorb water and salts from the stool. As a tablet, Lopide Tablet delivers the medicine by mouth so it can act locally in the digestive tract and reduce stool frequency and looseness.

Lopide Tablet is the tablet form of lopide/loperamide, which may be preferred when a patient wants a solid oral dose that is easy to swallow with water and simple to split into labeled doses only if a doctor instructs it. Compared with Lopide Capsule, this tablet may feel easier for some people to take and may be chosen when a prescriber wants a straightforward, tablet-based antidiarrheal option rather than a capsule form.

• Short-term diarrhea control
• Reduction of loose stools
• Help with traveler’s diarrhea when advised by a doctor
• Lowering bowel movement frequency in selected patients

• Swallow Lopide Tablet whole with water unless your doctor gives different directions.
• Take it exactly as prescribed; do not keep taking it longer than recommended just because diarrhea is ongoing.
• Use the tablet after loose stools begin, not before, unless your clinician tells you otherwise.
• Drink extra fluids to replace what you lose with diarrhea.
• Do not use more than the labeled or prescribed amount in one day.
• If you miss a dose, follow your prescriber’s instructions rather than doubling up.

Each Lopide Tablet provides loperamide in the labeled tablet strength, and the exact number of tablets per dose depends on the doctor’s directions and the reason for treatment. The dose may be repeated as needed, but the total amount in 24 hours must not exceed the maximum your prescriber recommends; higher strengths are generally for patients a clinician has already assessed, not for starting therapy on your own.

Do not change your dose or stop the medicine without speaking to your doctor.

Common side effects of Loperamide may include:

• Constipation
• Abdominal cramping
• Nausea
• Drowsiness
• Dizziness
• Dry mouth
• Bloating

• Do not use if you have bloody diarrhea, high fever, or suspected severe intestinal infection unless a clinician specifically tells you to.
• Lopide Tablet can cause constipation, so stop and seek advice if stools stop or abdominal swelling develops.
• Use extra caution if you have liver disease, because loperamide can build up more easily.
• Avoid alcohol if it makes you more drowsy or dizzy while taking this tablet.
• Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how Lopide Tablet affects you.
• Do not use to treat diarrhea caused by certain infections or after some antibiotics unless your doctor says it is appropriate.
• Tell your clinician if you have a history of heart rhythm problems, because very high loperamide exposure can affect the heart.

• Quinidine
• Ritonavir or other HIV protease inhibitors
• Itraconazole or ketoconazole
• Erythromycin or clarithromycin
• Other medicines that can slow the gut or cause constipation, including opioids

Store Lopide Tablet in its original strip/box of 10 tablets at room temperature, away from moisture, heat, and direct light.