Can you take too much Imodium for diarrhea?

Imodium overdose can be unpredictable. Generally, to overdose on Imodium, you would need to take more than the recommended maximum daily dose of 16 mg a day. However, as little as 2 mg a day can put a person at risk of overdose if taken over an extended time.

What happens if you take too much Imodium in one day?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. An overdose of loperamide can be fatal. Overdose symptoms may include fast or irregular heartbeats, or fainting. A person caring for you should seek emergency medical attention if you pass out and are hard to wake up.

Can I take 4 Imodium at once?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has deemed loperamide safe when used at approved doses, which for adults is a single 4 mg initial dose followed by 2 mg after each loose stool. As the FDA stated, each day the dose should not exceed 8 mg per day for over-the-counter use and 16 mg for prescription use.

Is it OK to take Imodium a lot?

Published January 2018. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. FDA drug safety communication: FDA warns about serious heart problems with high doses of the antidiarrheal medicine loperamide (Imodium), including from abuse and misuse.

Should I take Imodium for diarrhea or let it run its course?

Over-the-Counter. Since diarrhea is your body's way of getting rid of toxins, it is best to let it run its course.

How to Treat Diarrhea? | Imodium (loperamide) | Diarrhea Remedies | How to Stop? | Edgy Edge

Is Imodium hard on the liver?

Hepatotoxicity. As with most opiates in current use, therapy with loperamide has not been linked to serum enzyme elevations. There have been no convincing cases of idiosyncratic acute, clinically apparent liver injury attributed to either agent.

Can I take 5 Imodium 24 hours?

Adults and teenagers—The usual dose is 4 mg (2 tablets) after the first loose bowel movement, and 2 mg (1 tablet) after each loose bowel movement after the first dose has been taken. No more than 8 mg (4 tablets) should be taken in any 24-hour period.

What happens if you take more than 6 Imodium in 24 hours?

Do not take more than the recommended amount. If you take 1 extra dose of loperamide as a one-off, it's unlikely to harm you. But taking higher doses can cause serious heart problems. The signs include having a fast or irregular heartbeat.

What happens if Imodium doesn't work?

If you have constipation with Imodium, stop taking the drug. Constipation may last for a few days after you take Imodium, but it typically goes away on its own. And drinking plenty of water can help ease constipation. However, if you have constipation that doesn't improve after a few days, see your doctor.

Can Imodium mess up your stomach?

The adverse events with an incidence of 1.0% or greater, which were more frequently reported in patients on placebo than on loperamide hydrochloride were: nausea, vomiting, headache, meteorism, abdominal pain, abdominal cramp and colic.

How long does it take for Imodium to wear off?

How long does Imodium (Loperamide) last? The amount of time Imodium stays in your system depends on multiple factors, such as the dosage, age, weight and how long it is taken. On average, Imodium half-life is approximately 11 hours but can range between 9 and 14 hours.

Does Imodium make you poop more?

IMODIUM^® slows down the movement (contractions) in your intestine so that you pass firmer stools less often. But usually, the drug doesn't completely stop you from having bowel movements³. Constipation may occur. If so, stop taking IMODIUM^® and consult your doctor if constipation is severe.

How many people have died from Imodium?

In fact, from the time loperamide was approved in 1976 to 2015, there were 48 cases of severe cardiac events—ten which resulted in death—linked to the drug, a new study from the Journal of the American Pharmacists Association found. The average daily dose was 250 mg a day, which would equate to 125, 2-mg Imodium pills.

What not to take with Imodium?

What drugs and food should I avoid while taking Loperamide (Imodium)? Avoid drinking tonic water. It can interact with loperamide and may cause serious heart problems. Avoid becoming dehydrated by drinking plenty of fluids.

How close together can you take Imodium doses?

Acute Diarrhea

Adults: The recommended initial dose is 4mg (two capsules) followed by 2 mg (one capsule) after each unformed stool. Daily dose should not exceed 16mg (eight capsules). Clinical improvement is usually observed within 48 hours.

Why take Imodium on empty stomach?

1 Half teaspoon (2.5ml) Half a milligram It is best to take Loperamide half an hour before a meal. This will help to slow down the usual gut activity that is stimulated by eating. Most people find that the bowel is most active in the morning and so Loperamide will help most if taken before breakfast.

How long is too long for diarrhea?

Diarrhea is a common problem. It may last 1 or 2 days and goes away on its own. If diarrhea lasts more than 2 days it may mean you have a more serious problem.

How do you stop constant diarrhea?

Drink plenty of liquids, including water, broths and juices. Avoid caffeine and alcohol. Add semisolid and low-fiber foods gradually as your bowel movements return to normal. Try soda crackers, toast, eggs, rice or chicken.

Can IMODIUM cause diarrhea to get worse?

Symptoms include: diarrhea that doesn't stop, abdominal or stomach pain/cramping, or blood/mucus in your stool. This condition may occur during treatment or weeks to months after treatment has stopped. This medication may make this condition worse.

Why do I have explosive watery diarrhea?

Share on Pinterest Causes of explosive diarrhea can include viral infections, bacterial infections, and food allergies. The viruses most often responsible for diarrhea include norovirus, rotavirus, or any number of the viruses that cause viral gastroenteritis. This condition is what many people call the “stomach flu.”

Why are bananas good for diarrhea?

Loose motions often occur due to erratic digestion or are linked with a prevailing illness like a viral fever. The potassium in bananas will help in getting the digestion back to normal. Bananas contain resistant starch that helps to absorb water and salt in the colon, and thus, makes your stool firmer.

Why am I still having diarrhea after taking Imodium?

Imodium will usually help to slow down your acute diarrhea in the first hour, but if your diarrhea continues you may need to take additional doses in the same day. Take no more than the recommended maximum dose per day.

Why will my diarrhea not stop?

Some infections, food allergies and intolerances, digestive tract problems, abdominal surgery, and long-term use of medicines can cause chronic diarrhea. Some infections from bacteria and parasites that cause diarrhea do not go away quickly without treatment.

Why am I having diarrhea every 30 minutes?

Watery Diarrhea Symptoms, Causes & Common Questions. Watery diarrhea is commonly caused by a viral infection or food poisoning from eating undercooked meat or rotten foods. It can be serious if it causes dehydration. Keep an eye out for blood in the stool, and be sure to drink water and fluids with electrolytes.