Loperamide

[Rainybean]

Does anyone else take loperamide regularly to help with their ibs? I'm not taking them daily but finding that I'm averaging 1-2 tablets a week and wondering if its safe to continue doing so?

[upr1210]

I was always told by my Gastro that they just help slow things down and are harmless and if they need to be used, use them but not sure on how often or regularly relaying on them.

[Rainybean in reply to upr1210]

I was told by my doc that they help slow process down and are relatively harmless but I just thought I'd ask for anyone's personal experience with it first. I've seen some people post on here they take several daily, fortunately I'm not that bad at the moment, not to say I won't be in the future though as no one knows what the future holds.

[Linley]

My Gastro said they can be used long term-I use as and when needed especially travelling to and from holidays

[Batesystace]

I take 3 loperamide daily to keep my IBS under control. My GP said it’s fine if it keeps symptoms under control and I’m not then experiencing constipation for days. I was reluctant to try anything stronger so they are working fine for me, I’ve been taking 3 a day for almost 3 years now and no adverse side affects!

[Fredfish123]

I take them regularly. 2 a day. My doctor reassured me that they are safe to take so I can get on with daily activities without the worry.

[jbrking]

I have bile acid malabsorption so apart from binder meds to absorb the bile I take loperamide most days. During s bad flare up I can take 6-8. Doctor says take as many as you need. It just slows the gut down.

[Joeyskin]

I have a Stoma and take 8 four times daily so your perfectly ok stay safe

[lucylily]

I have been taking lopermide regularly for several years during bouts of ibs diarrhea. My doctor says this is perfectly safe as lopermide slows things down and controls without causing constipation for me.

[Sashapurp]

I only use them on a bad flare up .

[Hidden]

I take 4 daily every day. I increase this amount as required when my IBS flares up. If your worried might I suggest you read the patient information leaflet from a box of your tablets it will certainly confirm what has been said on here.

[xjrs]

Have you tried anything else so you don't have these bouts of diarrhea and no longer require loperamide? For instance probiotics such as Alflorex or Symprove or a fodmap elimination and reintroduction diet or looking at bulking agents? There are lots of hints and tips on here:

theibsnetwork.org/the-self-...

[AnthonyHa]

On behalf of my wife, just how effective is this for IBS pain?

She has been prescribed so many medications that give her side effects and which fails to help the IBS pain.

[Rainybean in reply to AnthonyHa]

As far as I am aware loperamide doesn't do anything for the pain. It slows down the gut to ease the urgency /diarrhoea

[AnthonyHa in reply to Rainybean]

My mistake I misread your post.

I'm a bloke so please make allowances 😀

[Jazzybean1]

I have been using loperamide for about 5 years. I used to take upto 4 a day & did that for about 2 years continually, with no side effects. I then had approx a year without really needing to take them at all. Things slowly crept back to having more bad days than good, so I introduced 2 daily & they really do help. As soon as my stomach starts sounding gurgly or you get that feeling then I take more. I am not sure how much they control the pain but they really do help me & very quick to work.

[Hidden]

I used to take them. Then used Green black walnut wormwood complex by 'Now'. 20 drops 30 min before meal twice a day. No sugar, honey, coffee, tea, milk or dairy product , processed meat, white flower, only spelt bread. .... but I was cheating with 1 coffe latte a day.

...also you can buy candida clear tablets. I bough this online on I herb.

Within a week all symptoms of IBS gone.

You can try vega test. It's the best test to find out any problems with your body.

[MatthewU]

I take Citalopram each day, this has been a life saver. I would spend days in bed with gut pain and no energy, now it's only occasionally.

[grahamrupertrules]

Hi

I take them if ibs has triggered very lose stools.not for daily use.

[JMcNamara]

I take the pills as needed and seem to help with the symptons.

[Hidden]

So glad you asked this question as i take lopermide when i need and it does really help with my IBS, but i have often thought should i be taking them on a long term basis. After reading the replies to your question it has certainly put my mind at ease. Thanks to all that replied ,again good feedback and advice from other members on this forum . All take care and stay safe

[robbie9813]

I take them when having a bad episode but then I cannot go for days and get bad stomach ache, so only take them if I really have too.

[Cheesecake17]

Last year was hell - I was under so much stress then had to take antibiotics for a skin infection which absolutely destroyed me for months. Taking Imodium was my only hope especially as I was in a touring band. It worked like an angel but even I tried to save it for emergency as I heard the less you take the more effective it is and the more you take the less effective. Not had to use one in 4 months (thank you, lockdown) but would deffo get back onto it regularly if I was like last year