Loperamide Tablet: Complete Guide on Uses, Dosage, Price & Brands in India

If you are someone who grew up in an Indian household, you might have seen your parents keeping a strip of ‘loose motion’ tablets in the medication box, ready for emergencies during family trips or festive feasts. Have you ever read one of the most common names on that strip? Loperamide.

Loperamide is known for its quick action in controlling diarrhoea; this medicine has become a household staple. But how does it work? When should you take it?

What should you keep an eye out for? This blog will tell you all you need to know about loperamide tablets for loose motions, loperamide brands in India, loperamide dosage, loperamide tablet price, and a lot more.

Loperamide 2mg tablets are taken for relief from diarrhoea. However, patients with dysentery (diarrhoea with blood) should not consume these tablets and should seek medical attention. Loperamide 2mg tablets can be taken with or without food in a dose and duration advised by a medical professional.

You should stick with the dose and length of time prescribed by your doctor because if you stop too soon, your symptoms will likely return and your condition may deteriorate.

Loperamide 2mg tablets act by reducing the intestinal contractions, causing a reduction in the frequency of stools. This gives more time for the breakdown of fluids and nutrients, resulting in solid stools and fewer occurrences.

It is most widely released in the form of a loperamide 2mg tablet, but is also available in the form of loperamide 1mg formulations and loperamide hydrochloride capsules IP 2mg.

Medical professionals commonly prescribe the tablet Loperamide 2mg to resolve:

• Acute diarrhoea as a result of food poisoning or infections, or a change of diet.
• Chronic diarrhoea related to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
• Traveller’s diarrhoea, especially during journeys to places with different food and water hygiene standards.
• Post-surgical bowel adjustments in certain gastrointestinal surgeries.

Loperamide tablets for loose motions offer rapid relief; however, they do not address the underlying cause.

Loperamide 2mg Tablet Variants and Strengths

Loperamide is an antidiarrheal medication widely available in a 2mg strength, which is the most common dosage for tablets and capsules. It is sold both over-the-counter and by prescription under various brand names, such as Imodium.

While the 2mg strength is standard, loperamide can also be found in other forms like oral solutions and liquids, typically in a strength of 1mg per 7.5ml.

Additionally, some variants combine loperamide with other ingredients, like simethicone, to address additional symptoms such as gas and bloating, often marketed under names like Imodium Multi-Symptom Relief.

The usual adult starting dose is 4mg, followed by 2mg after each loose stool. The maximum daily dosage should not exceed 16mg. Older people or the elderly could be sensitive to the effects of loperamide and, hence, doctors usually prescribe lower doses and advise observation to avoid cases of constipation or dehydration.

The tablets of loperamide 2mg can be administered befor or after food consumption. Nonetheless, it is vital to ensure that lots of water (preferably electrolytes with the Loperamide 2mg tablets) is consumed to avoid dehydration.

The procedure for taking Loperamide 2mg tablets, with or without food, will depend on the individual's tolerance. However, most people tend to take it after food to minimise the chances of stomach discomfort.

The loperamide tablet price in India varies based on brand and packaging. Here’s a general overview of the pricing of Loperamide tablets in India:

• Generic tablet loperamide 2mg: ₹2 to ₹5 per tablet.
• Branded versions: ₹6 to ₹12 per tablet.
• Bulk strips of 10 tablets may be available at discounted rates in pharmacies.

The Loperamide price in India varies between urban and rural regions, as well as between retail pharmacies and online medicine platforms.

The Loperamide brand name in India varies across pharmaceutical companies. Some well-known Loperamide brands in India are:

• Imodium: Internationally recognised and widely available.
• Lomotil-L: Combination with other agents for diarrhoea control. -** Lopamide**: Affordable Indian brand.
• Lopac: Available in capsule form.

Each Loperamide brand name in India offers similar effectiveness but may vary in price and excipient content. You can take one as prescribed by your doctor.

In case you are suffering from diarrhoea caused by bacterial or parasitic infections, a medical professional may prescribe a combination of metronidazole and loperamide hydrochloride tablets. Here, Metronidazole fights the infection, and Loperamide 2mg tablets provide symptom control by reducing stool frequency.

This combination is only to be consumed under the prescription of a medical professional to ensure the underlying infection is fully treated.

Loperamide tablets are generally safe when used as prescribed by a medical professional, but can cause side effects in some cases. Some of these side effects are:

• Common: Constipation, bloating, abdominal cramps, nausea.
• Rare but serious: Severe allergic reactions, irregular heartbeat, or paralytic ileus (a complete stoppage of bowel movement).

Here are some safety tips you can follow while taking Loperamide 2mg tablets or Loperamide in other forms:

• Avoid use in children under 12 without medical supervision.
• Do not take it if you have bloody diarrhoea, high fever, or diarrhoea caused by certain bacterial infections, as it may worsen the condition.
• People with liver disease should use lower doses under medical advice.

Loperamide in India is readily available in many over-the-counter pharmacy stores and can even be bought online through any platform. However, it is advised to be taken only as a temporary relief and not regularly. Purchasing Loperamide in India requires clear labelling of dosage and warnings.

Urban pharmacies and online platforms carry both generic and branded options and should be taken only after a prescription from a medical professional.

Storage and Shelf Life of Loperamide Tablets

• Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
• Keep out of reach of children.
• Typical shelf life: 2–3 years from the date of manufacture. Check the exact date or month on the label.

Loperamide is still among the most popular anti-diarrhoeal medications in India. Be it loperamide 2mg tablet, loperamide hydrochloride capsules IP 2mg, or combinations of both, using it responsibly is crucial for safe relief.

Combine it with fluids and consult a doctor in case the symptoms persist beyond 48 hours.

Q. What is a Loperamide 2mg tablet used for?

A. A Loperamide 2mg tablet is used to manage acute or chronic diarrhoea by slowing intestinal movement, allowing more water absorption, and reducing stool frequency. It provides symptom relief but does not cure the underlying cause.

Q. Can I take a Loperamide tablet for loose motion without a prescription?

A. In India, Loperamide tablets are often available without a prescription for short-term diarrhoea relief. However, medical advice is recommended, especially if symptoms persist, are severe, or accompanied by fever, blood in stool, or dehydration.

Q. Is Loperamide safe for elderly people?

A. Loperamide can be used in elderly people with caution, as they may be more sensitive to its effects. Lower doses and close monitoring are advised to prevent constipation, dehydration, or bowel blockage.

Q. Should I take Loperamide before or after food?

A. You can take a Loperamide tablet before or after food as per your preference and tolerance. Many prefer taking it after meals with adequate water to reduce possible stomach and avoid dehydration.

Q. What are the side effects of Loperamide 2mg?

A. Common side effects include constipation, bloating, abdominal cramps, and nausea. Rare but serious effects may involve severe allergic reactions, irregular heartbeat, or complete stoppage of bowel movement, requiring urgent medical attention.

Q. What are the top Loperamide brands in India?

A. Popular Loperamide brands in India include Imodium, Lomotil-L, Lopamide, and Lopac. These are available in tablets, capsules, or syrups, offering similar effectiveness but varying in formulation, price, and packaging.

Q. What is the price of Loperamide tablets in India?

A. The price of Loperamide tablets varies depending on brand, packaging, and place of purchase. However, it generally ranges from ₹2–₹5 for generic versions to ₹6–₹12 per tablet for branded options.