Patient leaflet - Loperamide Hydrochloride 2 mg capsules hard
1. What Loperamide
Hydrochloride 2mg capsules is and what it is used for
Loperamide Hydrochloride 2mg
capsules, are used to treat two
types of diarrhoea. The two types
have different age limits.
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.
IBS diarrhoea
For adults and young people
aged who have
18 and over
been diagnosed with IBS
(Irritable Bowel Syndrome).
To treat attacks that last up to
48 hours
You can use this medicine for
up to for repeated
2 weeks
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 What you need to know before
.
you take Loperamide
Hydrochloride 2mg capsules
Warnings for everyone
This medicine is suitable for most
people, but a few people should not
use it:
Do not take this medicine...
bad
if you have ever had a
reaction to any of the other
ingredients.
under 12
if it is for a child aged
(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.
constipated
if you are , or your
stomach appears swollen
(especially in children with severe
dehydration).
acute dysentery
if you have , the
symptoms of which may include
blood in your stools high
and a
temperature.
If any of these applies to you, talk
to a doctor or pharmacist and do not take Loperamide
Hydrochloride 2mg capsules.
Talk to your doctor first...
AIDS
if you have and your
stomach becomes swollen, stop
taking the capsules immediately
and contact your doctor.
liver disease
if you suffer from .
if you have diarrhoea that lasts for
more than 48 hours.
if you have been told by your
doctor that you have an
intolerance to some sugars.
severe diarrhoea
if you have as
your body loses more fluid, sugars
and salts than normal.
other
if you are taking any
medicines,including:
HIV
ritonavir(used to treat ).
quinidine (used to treat
abnormal heart rhythm or
malaria)
oral desmopressin (used to
treat ).
excessive urination
itraconazole or ketoconazole
(used to treat fungal
infections)
high
gemfibrozil (used to treat 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.
Driving and using machines
- 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, cycle or use machines.
Special warnings about this medicine
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 to
rehydration therapy replace lost salts. This is
especially important for children, and frail or older people.
- Consult with a doctor if you have a history of drug abuse.
- Loperamide is a type of opioid that acts directly on the gut when used as recommended but can cause other opioid effects when misused at high doses. Addiction is observed with opioids as a class.
Abuse and misuse of loperamide, the active ingredient in
Loperamide Hydrochloride 2mg capsules, have been reported. Do not take this product for anything other than its intended use (see section 1) and never take more than the recommended amount (see section 3).
Serious heart problems
(symptoms of which include fast or irregular heartbeat) have been reported in patients who have taken too much loperamide, the active ingredient in Loperamide Hydrochloride 2mg capsules.
Some of the ingredients can cause problems
This medicine contains lactose. If you have been told by your doctor that you have an
intolerance to some sugars contact your doctor before taking this medicine.
- This medicine contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per capsule, that is to say essentially 'sodium-free'.
Extra warnings for IBS patients
Use only if your doctor has previously diagnosed IBS. Check the following:
Do not take this medicine...
- under 18 If you are aged .
Talk to your doctor first...
If you are aged and it
40 or over
is some time since your last IBS attack.
If you are aged and
40 or over
your IBS symptoms are different this time.
- If you have recently passed blood from the bowel.
severe If you suffer from
constipation.
- sick or vomiting If you are feeling . · If you have lost your appetite or lost weight.
- If you have difficulty or pain passing urine.
fever
If you have a .
- If you have recently travelled abroad.
If any of these applies to you, talk to your doctor before taking Loperamide Hydrochloride 2mg capsules.
3. How to take Loperamide Hydrochloride 2mg capsules
Always take this medicine exactly as described in this leaflet or as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. Check with your doctor or
pharmacist if you are not sure.
Check the tables below to see how much medicine to take.
- Swallow the correct number of capsules whole with a drink of water. For oral use only.
- Do not use more than the dose shown in the tables.
- The capsules are not for long-term treatment.
Package leaflet: Information for the patient
Loperamide Hydrochloride
2mg Capsules
In House:
P:\Generic and Domestic\Generic Open\Ipca UK\Loperamide 2mg
120mm
Back
Short-term diarrhoea
Age Dose
Adults and Take two capsules children aged to start treatment. 12 and over Take one capsule after each loose bowel movement.
- Do not take for attacks lasting longer than 48 hours.
six Do not take more than
capsules in a 24-hour period. · Replace lost fluid by drinking more liquid than usual.
Not for children aged under 12.
How long to take Loperamide Hydrochloride 2mg capsules for short-term diarrhoea
You can use this medicine for up to 48 hours.
If your attack lasts longer than 48 hours, stop taking Loperamide Hydrochloride 2mg capsules and talk to your doctor.
IBS diarrhoea
Age Dose
Adults aged Take two capsules 18 and over to start treatment. Take
one capsule
after each loose bowel movement (or as advised by your doctor).
up You can use this medicine for 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.
How long to take Loperamide Hydrochloride 2mg capsules 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 stop
longer than 48 hours
taking Loperamide Hydrochloride 2mg capsules and talk to your doctor.
If anyone takes too much of this medicine
If you have taken too many Loperamide Hydrochloride 2mg capsules immediately contact a doctor or hospital for advice. Symptoms may include: increased heart rate, irregular heartbeat, changes to your heartbeat (these symptoms can have potentially serious, life-threatening
consequences), muscle stiffness, uncoordinated movements, drowsiness, difficulty urinating, or weak breathing.
Children react more strongly to large amounts of Loperamide Hydrochloride 2mg capsules than adults. If a child takes too much or shows any of the above symptoms, call a doctor immediately.
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). take a double
Do not
dose.
4. Possible side effects
Loperamide Hydrochloride 2mg 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 (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people):
- Allergic reactions including unexplained wheezing, shortness of breath, passing out or swelling of face and throat.
- 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.
- Not known (frequency cannot be estimated from the available data): Upper abdominal pain, abdominal pain that radiates to back, tenderness when touching the abdomen, fever, rapid pulse, nausea, vomiting, which may be symptoms of inflammation of the pancreas (acute pancreatitis).
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 (may affect up to 1 in 100 people):
- Itchiness or hives.
- Stomach pain or swollen stomach.
Rare: (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people)
- Difficulties passing water. · Severe constipation.
- Miosis (narrowing of the pupils of the eye).
- Hypertonia (muscle tension). · Coordination abnormality (uncoordinated movements).
If you notice any of the above, stop using the medicine and talk to a doctor.
Other side effects that may occur Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people)
- Feeling sick, constipation or wind. · Headache.
Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people):
- Dizziness or drowsiness.
- Vomiting, indigestion.
- Dry mouth.
Rare (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people):
- Tiredness.
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 or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
5. How to Store Loperamide Hydrochloride 2mg capsules
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not store above 25ºC.
Store in the original package. Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the carton. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help to protect the environment.
6. Contents of the pack and other information
What Loperamide Hydrochloride 2mg capsules contains
The active substance is loperamide hydrochloride.
Each hard gelatin capsule contains loperamide hydrochloride 2 mg
The other ingredients are: Lactose anhydrous, Maize starch,
Polysorbate 80, Talc, Magnesium stearate, Silica colloidal anhydrous.
Capsule cap:
Gelatin, Sodium laurylsulfate, Iron oxide yellow, Indigo carmine, Titanium dioxide.
Capsule body:
Gelatin, Sodium laurylsulfate, Erythrosine, Iron oxide black, Titanium dioxide.
Imprinting Ink:
Shellac, Ethanol, anhydrous, Isopropyl alcohol, Butanol, Propylene glycol, Ammonia solution concentrated, Iron oxide black, Potassium hydroxide .
What Loperamide Hydrochloride 2mg capsules look like and contents of the pack
Green/Grey colored size '4' hard gelatin capsules imprinted with “C” on the cap and '24' on the body, filled with white to off white powder.
Loperamide Hydrochloride 2mg capsules are supplied in clear PVC/Aluminium blister of 10 and 14 capsules. Pack size: 28, 30, 50, 56, 84 and 100 capsules.
Not all pack sizes may be marketed.
Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer:
Ipca Laboratories UK Ltd.
Unit 97-98, Silverbriar,
Sunderland Enterprise Park East, Sunderland, SR5 2TQ
United Kingdom
This leaflet was last revised in 09/2026.