Imodium Express tabs 2mg #10

Imodium Express instruction

You can buy Imodium Express here

Description of the drug

Imodium Express is one of the most well-known anti-diarrhea drugs. This medicine has gained popularity not only at the expense of an advertising company, but also due to its rapidly developing effect, which can save, if necessary, stop diarrhea on the road, before an important meeting or in other conditions of time pressure. Instructions for use Imodium Express is quite simple and, if necessary, allows you to use it yourself, without direct prescription by a doctor. However, like any medication, it has its own contraindications and side effects, which must be considered before use.

Release form, composition and packaging

The antidiarrheal drug Imodium Express is available in the form of lyophilized tablets containing 2 mg of the active ingredient of loperamide. Lyophilis. the tablet dissolves completely in the oral cavity, has a white color and a mint aroma. One package may contain 6, 10 or 20 tablets. You can buy Imodium Express in pharmacy chains or on the Internet, where this medicine is available. In the latter case, delivery will be by courier or pickup. Analogues of the drug, which also contain loperamide, are cheaper, however, they must be taken orally, and not under the tongue, which significantly lengthens the onset of the antidiarrheal effect.

Pharmachologic effect

Opiate receptors play an important role in many physiological processes in the body. However, few people know that they are located not only in the central nervous system and are involved in anesthesia or the formation of addiction to drugs. One of their subtypes, namely μ3 opiate receptors, is located in the gastrointestinal tract and is responsible for controlling peristalsis. Stimulation of these μ3-receptors leads to inhibition of the smooth muscles of the entire gastrointestinal tract. Loperamide, the active substance of the drug, acts on μ3-opiate receptors, stimulating them. This leads to the fact that in the intestine, which during the diarrhea is actively reduced, relaxes, peristalsis slows down and urge to toilet is reduced. Due to a longer stay in the colon, water is absorbed from the feces to a greater extent and they become more dense, formed. The suppression of the release of fluid and electrolytes into the lumen of the intestine also contributes to this. High doses of the active substance inhibit the production of hydrochloric acid in the stomach. The effect on μ3 opiate receptors also leads to an increase in the tone of the sphincter of the anus and a reduction in the formation of impulses from the rectum, perceived by the brain as a urge to defecate. In addition to these effects, loperamide prevents the release of acetylcholine and prostaglandins. Acetylcholine is an important mediator involved in the transmission of nerve impulses to smooth muscles. Its deficiency leads to relaxation of the intestines and slows down its work. Prostaglandins are one of the main substances involved in the formation of the inflammatory reaction. Reducing their concentration is also able to slightly reduce the activity of the gastrointestinal tract by eliminating irritation. When using lyophilized tablets, the effect develops after a few minutes and lasts from 4 to 6 hours. Despite the stimulation of opiate receptors, loperamide does not lead to the development of dependence, since it penetrates extremely poorly into brain tissue.

Indications

Imodium Express is indicated for such conditions and pathologies: • diarrhea associated with a violation of the diet (eating excessive amounts of food, fried, fatty or spicy foods); • diarrhea associated with impaired intestinal absorption; • allergic bowel disease; • irritable bowel syndrome: impaired bowel function without organic diseases, due to emotional and mental deviations; • complications from taking various medications in the form of digestive disorders; • radiation damage to the intestines; • to reduce the frequency of discharge of loose stool and increase its density with an ileostomy (removal of the ileum to the anterior abdominal wall to discharge the intestinal contents).

Contraindications

Do not use Imodium Express in the following cases: • individual hypersensitivity; • intestinal obstruction - a condition in which the intestinal contents do not move along the gastrointestinal tract due to an obstruction in the form of a tumor, stricture, scar, necrotic area of ​​the intestine; • diverticulosis - the formation of protrusion of the intestinal wall; • acute ulcerative colitis - inflammation of the mucous membrane of the colon with the formation of ulcerative defects on it; • pseudomembranous colitis due to the use of antibacterial agents - intestinal disease associated with infection with clostridia; • dysentery - a serious disease caused by a simple amoeba, accompanied by intestinal bleeding, fever; • any other acute infectious lesions of the gastrointestinal tract, including salmonellosis, shigellosis, typhoid, etc .; • age up to 6 years; • at all stages of pregnancy and during breastfeeding.

Dosage

To achieve the fastest possible beneficial effect, you should know how to take Imodium Express correctly. The tablet rests on the tongue, after which it is necessary, without chewing the tablet, to slowly wait for its complete dissolution. Liof. the tablet does not require drinking water, it will be enough just to swallow the accumulated saliva. According to the instructions for use, Imodium Express should start drinking immediately with two tablets. Then, after each loose stool, another tablet is taken until the diarrhea is completely stopped. In this case, you can not drink more than 6 tablets per day. If you believe the reviews, then with a slight disorder of stool discharge, even a single use of one tablet may be sufficient.

Side effects

Despite its relative safety, uncontrolled use of Imodium Express or its intolerance can cause the development of undesirable reactions: • constipation; • bloating; • discomfort in the abdomen; • dry mouth; • nausea and vomiting; • burning on the tongue at the place of dissolution of the tablet; • drowsiness; • dizziness; • all kinds of allergic reactions. In general, Imodium Express is well tolerated and, subject to the rules for its administration, rarely causes adverse reactions.

Overdose

An overdose of Imodium Express is more often observed in children and persons with impaired liver function. It manifests itself in the form of impaired consciousness, impaired coordination of movements, narrowing of the pupil, increased muscle tone, slowed breathing, constipation, cessation of urine discharge, intestinal obstruction. It is also possible a violation of the rhythmic work of the heart. Treatment is carried out with constant monitoring of cardiac activity, ECG removal. As an antidote, naloxone is used. Therapy and patient monitoring continues for at least two days.

Drug interaction

Imodium Express cannot be used simultaneously with drugs that inhibit the activity of the central nervous system (antipsychotics, tranquilizers, sedatives, hypnotics, anticonvulsants, anesthetics) and narcotic analgesics. The combined use of ketoconazole, itroconazole, gemfibrazole with antifungal agents leads to a prolonged action time and elimination of the antidiarrheal drug, which increases the risk of overdose. The active substance loperamide when used together with an analog of vasopressin, the hormone hypothalamus, desmopressin leads to an increase in the concentration of the latter in the blood. This may contribute to the development of an overdose of desmopressin.

Special instructions

Since Imodium Express is able to inhibit the activity of the central nervous system, cause drowsiness and dizziness, against the background of its use it is not recommended to drive transport or any other mechanisms, to engage in work that requires attention and a quick reaction.

Pregnancy and lactation

In animal studies, loperamide did not cause toxic effects on the fetus, did not violate the function of the uterus and placenta. Studies in humans in this matter have not been conducted. It was found that the drug is able to be excreted in breast milk. It is not recommended to use the drug during pregnancy, especially in the first three months, and during lactation.

Use in childhood

At the age of 2 to 12 years, you can use Imodium Express only with medical supervision. It is not recommended to independently use the drug for children due to the high risk of side effects and overdose. In childhood, the liquid lost with diarrhea should be replaced with warm drinks (broth, sweet tea).

With impaired renal function

Persons with kidney disease and impaired filtration ability do not need dosage adjustments or changes in the antidiarrheal regimen.

With impaired liver function

Data on the use of this medication in such groups of patients are insufficient, however, it should be borne in mind that loperamide passes through the liver and is metabolized by it. In the case of liver diseases, a particularly careful monitoring of the patient's condition is required when using the dosage form.

Use in old age

In elderly and senile patients, dose adjustment of Imodium Express and its administration are not performed.

Terms and conditions of storage

Imodium Express is suitable for 3 years after manufacture. After this period, the drug can not be used: it loses its effectiveness, the risk of developing unwanted reactions increases. Store tablets at room temperature (up to 25 ° C). After opening the cell with the tablet, the drug must be taken immediately. Prolonged exposure of the tablet to open space contributes to its destruction and reduced effectiveness.

Terms of sell

You can buy Imodium Express without a prescription.