Loperamide

[emmie]

what are the side effects if any in taking this medicine
i took two yesterday morning and haven't been to the loo since, is it
supposed to do that, because i am in pain.

[Islay]

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking loperamide:
Rare •Bloating
•constipation
•loss of appetite
•stomach pain (severe) with nausea and vomiting

[Jackdaw33]

Loperamide is the generic name for Immodium et al. It is to prevent diarrhoea so obviously it will bung you up.

[Sqad]

Usually very few side effects, but constipation is one of them.
No big deal.

[Buenchico]

Urinary retention is listed as a rare side effect of the drug:
https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drug/loperamide-hydrochloride.html

[Buenchico]

There seems to be some doubt here as to which of the two types of loo visit Emmie is referring to.

[Sqad]

Buenchico...wrong end.
I think she is bunged up....not with urine but faeces.

[Sqad]

emmie.......did you say that you are having a colonoscopy next week?

[emmie]

no nausea or vomiting, but bloating yes constipation yes
stomach pain yes.

[emmie]

yes i am having a colonoscopy saturday.

[Islay]

Do you have an out of hours GP you can ring for some advice?

[Jackdaw33]

Are you taking any other medication? If you are taking any codeine-based analgesic that will compound your problem.

[emmie]

but the pain is levied in the upper gut area, so i guess thats constipation,

[Sqad]

Ah, I thought so.
You better "unbung" yourself before you start your bowel pre next Thursday.
I would not take any more Loperamide from now on. who suggested that you took loperamide?

[emmie]

can ring out of hours doctor but what help i am not sure.

[Jackdaw33]

A good swig of Lactulose or similar should shift it.

[Sqad]

Islay....she is posting on AB for advice.

[emmie]

the GP told me to take it. All i can feel is gut pain, like the time i had pancreatitis.

[emmie]

i have all the kit for next week, the movicol or whatever its called and i have to be at the hospital for 8am saturday.

[Sqad]

Seems an odd suggestion from your GP, knowing that you are having a colonoscopy. My advice still stands.......discontinue your loperamide and monitor the situation.

[Jackdaw33]

I think it was Emmie who posted a while ago that she was suffering from loose bowel movements and Loperamide was suggested on here.