Loperamide

The Basics

What is Loperamide?

Used for the control and symptomatic relief of acute nonspecific diarrhea and of chronic diarrhea that is associated with IBD.

Brand names for Loperamide

Imodium

How Loperamide is classified

Antidiarrheals, Gastrointestinal Agents

Loperamide During Pregnancy

Loperamide pregnancy category

Category CNote that the FDA has deprecated the use of pregnancy categories, so for some medications, this information isn’t available. We still think it’s useful to list historical info, however, given what a common proxy this has been in the past.

What we know about taking Loperamide while pregnant

Teratology studies have been performed in rats using oral doses of 2.5, 10, and 40 mg/kg/day, and in rabbits using oral doses of 5, 20, and 40 mg/kg/day. These studies have revealed no evidence of impaired fertility or harm to the fetus at doses up to 10 mg/kg/day in rats (5 times the human dose based on body surface area comparison) and 40 mg/kg/day in rabbits (43 times the human dose based on body surface area comparison). Treatment of rats with 40 mg/kg/day p.o. (21 times the human dose based on a body surface area comparison) produced marked impairment of fertility. The studies produced no evidence of teratogenic activity. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Loperamide should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.

Taking Loperamide While Breastfeeding

What are recommendations for lactation if you're taking Loperamide?

Use of loperamide during breastfeeding is unlikely to affect the infant.

Maternal / infant drug levels

Use of loperamide during breastfeeding is unlikely to affect the infant.

Possible effects of Loperamide on milk supply

Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.

Possible alternatives to Loperamide