Imodium Liquicaps 2 Mg Soft Capsules
Imodium*
Loperamide hydrochloride
■ This medicine is used for two different types of diarrhoea. They have different age limits.
See Section 1 ►
■ Do not take this medicine:
There are some people who should not
use this medicine. To find out if you are one of them, see Section 2 ►
If you have ever had a bad reaction to any of the ingredients. For the list of ingredients, see Section 6 ►
■ Speak to your doctor:
If you suffer from any of the conditions mentioned in Section 2 ►
If you are taking any other medicines. See Section 2 ►
■ If you have Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
see also Section 2 Extra warnings for IBS patients ►
■ Follow the dosage instructions carefully. See Section 3 ►
Now read this whole leaflet carefully before you use this medicine. Keep the leaflet: you might need it again.
1 What the medicine is for
Imodium LiquiCaps 2 mg Soft Capsules is used to treat two types of diarrhoea. The
two types have different age limits.
O Short-term diarrhoea
■ For adults and children aged 12 and over.
■ To treat attacks that last up to 48 hours.
■ If your attack lasts longer than 48 hours, talk to your doctor.
0 IBS diarrhoea
■ For adults and young people aged 18 and over who have been diagnosed with IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome).
■ To treat attacks that last up to 48 hours.
■ You can use this medicine for up to
2 weeks for repeated attacks, but if any one attack lasts continuously for longer than 48 hours, talk to your doctor.
The capsules contain loperamide hydrochloride, a substance that helps reduce diarrhoea by slowing down an overactive bowel. This allows water and salts that are usually lost in diarrhoea to be absorbed by the body.
2 Before taking this medicine O Warnings for everyone
This medicine is suitable for most people, but
a few people should not use it:
□ Do not take this medicine...
■ If you have ever had a bad reaction to any of the ingredients.
■ If it is for a child aged under 12 (or under 18 for an IBS patient).
■ If you have severe diarrhoea after taking antibiotics.
■ If you are having a flare-up of an inflammatory bowel condition like ulcerative colitis.
■ If you are constipated, or your stomach appears swollen (especially in children with severe dehydration).
■ If you have acute dysentery, the symptoms of which may include blood in your stools and a high temperature.
If any of these applies to you, talk to a doctor
or pharmacist and do not take Imodium.
© Warnings for everyone (continued)
A Talk to your doctor first...
■ If you have AIDS and your stomach becomes swollen, stop taking the capsules immediately and contact your doctor.
■ If you suffer from liver disease.
■ If you have diarrhoea that lasts for more than 48 hours.
■ If you have severe diarrhoea as your body loses more fluid, sugars and salts than normal.
■ If you are taking any other medicines, including:
ritonavir (used to treat HIV).
quinidine (used to treat abnormal heart
rhythms or malaria).
oral desmopressin (used to treat
excessive urination).
itraconazole or ketoconazole (used to treat
fungal infections).
gemfibrozil (used to treat high
cholesterol).
If you are unsure about any of the medicines you are taking, show the bottle or pack to your pharmacist.
If any of these applies to you (now or in the past), talk to a doctor or pharmacist.
Pregnancy or breast-feeding
■ If you are pregnant, think you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy: ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine.
■ If you are breast-feeding do not take this medicine. Small amounts may get into your milk. Talk to your doctor about a suitable treatment.
Special warnings about this medicine
■ This medicine may make you feel dizzy, tired or sleepy. You may feel less alert, feel faint or pass out. If you’re affected do not drive or use machines.
■ Your body can lose large amounts of fluids and salts when you have diarrhoea. You need to replace the fluid by drinking more liquid than usual. Ask your pharmacist about rehydration therapy to replace lost salts. This is especially important for children, and frail or older people.
Some of the ingredients can cause problems
Imodium LiquiCaps 2 mg Soft Capsules contain soya lecithin. If you are allergic to soya or peanut, do not use this medicinal product.
O Extra warnings for IBS patients
Use only if your doctor has previously diagnosed IBS.
Check the following:
□ Do not take this medicine...
■ If you are aged under 18.
A Talk to your doctor first...
■ If you are aged 40 or over and it is some time since your last IBS attack.
■ If you are aged 40 or over and your IBS symptoms are different this time.
■ If you have recently passed blood from the bowel.
■ If you suffer from severe constipation.
■ If you are feeling sick or vomiting.
■ If you have lost your appetite or lost weight.
i If you have difficulty or pain passing urine.
■ If you have a fever.
■ If you have recently travelled abroad.
If any of these applies to you, talk to your doctor before taking Imodium.
Turn over ►
3 How to take this medicine
Check the tables below to see how much
medicine to take.
■ Swallow the correct number of capsules whole with a drink of water. Do not chew. For oral use only.
■ Do not use more than the dose shown in the tables.
■ The capsules are not for long-term treatment.
Short-term diarrhoea
|
Age |
Dose |
|
Adults and |
Take two capsules to start |
|
children aged |
treatment. |
|
12 and over |
Take one capsule after each loose bowel movement. |
■ Do not take for attacks lasting longer than 48 hours.
■ Do not take more than six capsules in a 24-hour period.
■ Replace lost fluid by drinking more liquid than usual.
■ Not for children aged under 12.
0 How long to take Imodium for short-term diarrhoea
You can use this medicine for up to 48 hours.
If your attack lasts longer than 48 hours, stop taking Imodium and talk to your doctor.
IBS diarrhoea
Age Dose
Adults aged Take two capsules to start 18 and over treatment.
Take one capsule after each loose bowel movement (or as advised by your doctor).
■ You can use this medicine for up to
2 weeks for repeated attacks, but do not take for any one attack lasting longer than 48 hours.
■ Do not take more than six capsules in a 24-hour period.
■ Replace lost fluid by drinking more liquid than usual.
■ Not for children and young people aged under 18.
Talk to your doctor and stop taking this medicine:
■ If you have been using this medicine continuously for 48 hours.
■ If you develop new IBS symptoms.
■ If your IBS symptoms get worse.
■ If your IBS symptoms have not improved after 2 weeks.
0 How long to take Imodium for IBS diarrhoea
You can use this medicine for up to 2 weeks for repeated attacks of IBS diarrhoea. But if any one attack lasts for longer than 48 hours, stop taking Imodium and talk to your doctor.
If anyone takes too much of this medicine
If anyone takes too many Imodium Liquicaps 2 mg Soft Capsules, contact your doctor or nearest Accident and Emergency department taking this leaflet with you.
If you forget to take the medicine
You should only take this medicine as you need it, following the dosage instructions above carefully.
If you forget to take a dose, take a dose after the next loose stool (bowel movement). Do not take a double dose.
4 Possible side-effects
Imodium LiquiCaps 2 mg Soft Capsules can have side-effects, like all medicines, although these don’t affect everyone and most are usually mild.
Get medical help at once
Rare: (affects less than 1 in 1,000 but 1 or
more in 10,000 people)
■ Allergic reactions including unexplained wheezing, shortness of breath, passing out or swelling of face and throat.
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4 Possible side-effects (continued)
■ Skin rashes, which may be severe and include blistering or peeling skin.
■ Loss of consciousness or reduced level of consciousness (passing out, feeling faint or less alert), uncoordinated movements.
If you get any of these, stop using the medicine and get medical help at once.
Talk to a doctor as soon as possible Uncommon: (affects less than 1 in 100 but 1 or more in 1,000 people)
■ Itchiness or hives.
■ Stomach pain or swollen stomach.
Rare: (affects less than 1 in 1,000 but 1 or more in 10,000 people)
■ Difficulties passing water.
■ Severe constipation.
■ Miosis (narrowing of the pupils of the eye).
If you notice any of the above, stop using the medicine and talk to a doctor.
Other effects that may occur Common: (affects less than 1 in 10 but 1 or more in 100 people)
■ Feeling sick, constipation or wind.
■ Headache.
Uncommon: (affects less than 1 in 100 but 1 or more in 1,000 people)
■ Dizziness or drowsiness.
■ Vomiting, indigestion.
■ Dry mouth.
Rare: (affects less than 1 in 1,000 but 1 or more in 10,000 people)
■ Tiredness.
Dietary soya-products are known to cause allergic reactions including severe anaphylaxis in persons with soya allergy. Patients with known allergy to peanut protein carry an enhanced risk for severe reactions to soya preparations.
Reporting of side effects
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
5 Storing this medicine
Keep out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not store above 25°C. Store in the original package to protect from moisture. Keep blister in the outer carton to protect from light.
Do not use your medicine after the date shown as the expiry date on the packaging.
Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. These measures will help to protect the environment.
6 Further information
What’s in this medicine The active ingredient in Imodium LiquiCaps 2 mg Soft Capsules is:
Loperamide hydrochloride 2 mg per capsule.
Other ingredients are: Propylene glycol monocaprylate, propylene glycol, gelatin, glycerol, soya lecithin, medium chain triglycerides, brilliant blue (E133) and purified water.
What the medicine looks like
Imodium LiquiCaps 2 mg Soft Capsules are clear blue liquid filled capsules available in packs of 6.
Product Licence holder: McNeil Products Ltd, Maidenhead, Berkshire, SL6 3UG, UK.
Manufacturer: Catalent France, Beinheim SA,
74 rue Principale, F-67930, Beinheim - France.
This leaflet was revised August 2014.
Imodium is a registered trade mark.
Reference: 14-0194 vl Dimensions: 140 x 500mm Date: 11/08/2014 Font size: 8.5pts