Can you take imodium with alcohol

And this can cause symptoms such as cramps, bloating, and pressure in your belly. Imodium products all contain the antimotility drug loperamide, which helps to control diarrhea. The drug works by slowing down the muscular contractions in your intestine. This slows the movement of food through your intestine. And it allows more time for water to be reabsorbed back into your body.

This is how Imodium use leads to firmer stools and fewer bowel movements. In addition to loperamide, Imodium Multi-Symptom Relief contains the antiflatulent drug simethicone. This drug reduces symptoms of gas. It works by causing small bubbles of gas that are trapped in your intestines to merge into larger bubbles. These larger bubbles are more easily expelled from your body. After you stop taking Imodium, it takes about 11 hours for the level of Imodium in your body to be reduced by half.

After this amount of time, Imodium will have less and less of an effect on controlling your diarrhea. Instead, it only works inside your intestine. And if it enters your brain, it may make you feel high. Some people misuse Imodium in this way to make themselves feel high.

See the following question for more details. In fact, misusing Imodium can cause serious heart problems, such as an irregular heartbeat or heart attack. It can also cause loss of consciousness and slow, weak breathing. And it can sometimes even lead to death.

If you have questions about the correct dosage for you, ask your doctor or pharmacist. But only take doses up to the maximum daily dose. If you still have diarrhea after using Imodium for 2 days 48 hours , see your doctor.

And they may recommend a treatment other than Imodium, depending on the results of those tests. Yes, you should be able to. Imodium slows down the contractions in your intestine so that you pass firmer stools less often.

You should take Imodium as recommended on its product label or as instructed by your doctor or pharmacist. And if your diarrhea clears up with Imodium, but you get another episode of diarrhea soon after, you can take Imodium again. But if you keep having episodes of diarrhea for more than 2 weeks, you should see your doctor. Sometimes doctors prescribe Imodium to treat chronic diarrhea. In this case, they might recommend either:.

You should take Imodium every day only if your doctor recommends doing so. Taking Imodium every day is generally considered safe. However, using this drug daily may increase your risk for side effects, particularly constipation. However, Imodium Multi-Symptom Relief caplets should be taken on an empty stomach. Imodium A-D softgels should be swallowed whole. If you have trouble swallowing Imodium pills, you may find it easier to take Imodium A-D oral solution. Imodium can cause mild or serious side effects.

The following lists contain some of the key side effects that may occur while taking Imodium. For more information on the possible side effects of Imodium, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can give you tips on how to deal with any side effects that may be bothersome.

Most of these side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist, or view the prescribing information for loperamide, the active ingredient in Imodium. Serious side effects from Imodium are rare, but they can occur. Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects.

Imodium side effects are similar for both children and adults. See the side effect lists above for more information. You may wonder how often certain side effects occur with this drug, or whether certain side effects pertain to it.

As with most drugs, some people can have an allergic reaction after taking Imodium. A more severe allergic reaction is rare but possible. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can include:. Call your doctor right away if you have a severe allergic reaction to Imodium.

Some people have constipation after taking Imodium. Imodium slows down the movement of food through your intestine, helping you to pass firmer stools less often. While this action reduces diarrhea , it may also lead to constipation in some people. If you have constipation with Imodium, stop taking the drug. Constipation may last for a few days after you take Imodium, but it typically goes away on its own.

And drinking plenty of water can help ease constipation. On rare occasions, constipation can be a symptom of a serious side effect called paralytic ileus. With this condition, the movement in your intestines slows down so much that food builds up inside your intestine.

And this can lead to a dangerous obstruction blockage in your intestine. If you have constipation with abdominal belly swelling or bulging, or severe abdominal pain, stop taking Imodium. And see your doctor right away. These symptoms may indicate paralytic ileus. Imodium can make some people feel sleepy or tired. The drug can also cause dizziness. And if you have concerns about these symptoms with Imodium use, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

If you have red or black stools, stop taking Imodium and see your doctor right away. And they can recommend appropriate treatment for your condition. However, keep in mind that Imodium is used to treat diarrhea. And if you become dehydrated have a low fluid level from diarrhea, you may develop low blood pressure.

You can also drink a rehydration solution. These drinks contain glucose sugar and electrolytes , such as sodium and potassium. Rehydration solutions help to replace fluids and electrolytes in your body that you can lose through diarrhea. They can recommend ways to help improve your condition.

Other drugs are available that can treat diarrhea. Some may be a better fit for you than others. They can tell you about other medications that may work well for you.

You may wonder how Imodium compares with other medications that are used for diarrhea. Here we look at how Imodium and Lomotil are alike and different. Both Imodium and Lomotil are used to treat diarrhea. For instance:. Imodium is used in adults and children ages 2 years and older. Imodium is an over-the-counter OTC medication.

Lomotil, on the other hand, is only available by prescription. Imodium and Lomotil both can cause some similar side effects, but some different ones as well. Below are examples of these side effects. These lists contain examples of serious side effects that can occur with Imodium, with Lomotil, or with both drugs when taken individually. But separate studies have found both Imodium and Lomotil to be effective for treating diarrhea. According to estimates on WellRx.

Imodium and Lomotil are both brand-name drugs, but generic forms of each are available. The generic form of Imodium is called loperamide.

Like Lomotil discussed above , other medications are prescribed for similar uses as Imodium. Here we look at how Imodium and Kaopectate are alike and different.

Both Imodium and Kaopectate are used to treat diarrhea. Kaopectate is used in adults and children ages 12 years and older. Imodium and Kaopectate can cause some similar side effects, but some different ones as well. These lists contain up to 10 of the most common mild side effects that can occur with Imodium or with Kaopectate.

These lists contain examples of serious side effects that can occur with Imodium, with Kaopectate, or with both Imodium and Kaopectate when taken individually. Pepto-Bismol contains the same active drug as Kaopectate does, bismuth subsalicylate.

On the other end of the spectrum, drinking large amounts of alcohol can delay digestion and cause constipation. Alcohol can also irritate your digestive tract, worsening diarrhea. Scientists have found this occurs most often with wine, which tends to kill off helpful bacteria in the intestines. The bacteria will recolonize and normal digestion will be restored when alcohol consumption stops and normal eating resumes. People with bowel diseases are more prone to experiencing alcohol-induced diarrhea.

This includes:. This is because their already sensitive digestive tracts are especially reactive to alcohol, which can worsen their disease symptoms, typically causing diarrhea. People with irregular sleep schedules — including those who work night shifts or pull all-nighters regularly — tend to also experience diarrhea after drinking alcohol more than other people.

The first thing to do if you experience diarrhea while or after drinking alcohol is to cut out alcohol. When you do drink again, be aware that the diarrhea may return. If you refrain from drinking, most alcohol-induced cases of diarrhea will clear up in a few days. But there are some things you can do to further ease your symptoms. Drink lots of clear fluids, such as water, broth, and juice to replace some of the fluid loss you experienced when you had diarrhea. Consider taking probiotics.

Talk to your doctor about how much your dosage should be. If you experience diarrhea after drinking alcohol on a regular basis, you might want to rethink your drinking habits. Knowing how to handle bouts of diarrhea after drinking alcohol can be helpful, because it leaves you better equipped to deal with it.

Alcohol can affect people in different ways. For some, alcohol is constipating. For others, alcohol can have the opposite effect. However, if you have diarrhoea it's best to avoid fatty or spicy food. Loperamide can make you feel dizzy, tired or sleepy. You might also feel less alert, feel faint or pass out.

If this happens to you do not drive, cycle or use machinery or tools until the effect has worn off. Yes, you can take loperamide at the same time as everyday painkillers like paracetamol and ibuprofen. There is another medicine for diarrhoea called co-phenotrope. This works in a similar way to loperamide to slow down your gut.

You do not usually need an antibiotic for diarrhoea. However, occasionally your doctor will prescribe an antibiotic if you have severe diarrhoea caused by a specific kind of bacteria. Speak to a pharmacist if you have signs of dehydration , such as peeing less than usual or having dark, strong-smelling pee. Your pharmacist can recommend oral rehydration sachets. These are powders that you mix with water and then drink.

If you've been diagnosed with a particular health problem that's causing your diarrhoea, treating the problem may help improve your symptoms. For example, you can help relieve IBS with changes to your diet and medicines. Page last reviewed: 8 March Next review due: 8 March Loperamide - Brand names: Imodium, Dioraleze On this page About loperamide Key facts Who can and cannot take loperamide How and when to take loperamide Side effects How to cope with side effects of loperamide Pregnancy and breastfeeding Cautions with other medicines Common questions about loperamide.

About loperamide Loperamide is a medicine to treat diarrhoea runny poo. The tablets that melt are called Imodium Instants or Imodium Instant Melts Loperamide is also available combined with simeticone. Help us improve our website Can you answer a quick question about your visit today? Diarrhoea that starts suddenly usually gets better on its own within 5 to 7 days.

If you need immediate short-term relief, taking loperamide can reduce the number of times you go to the toilet and it makes your poo less watery. Do not give loperamide to children under 12 years old unless their doctor has prescribed it. If you've bought loperamide from a pharmacy or shop, do not take it for more than 48 hours without talking to a doctor.

Only take the recommended amount. Too much loperamide can cause serious heart problems including a fast or irregular heartbeat. Pharmacies and supermarkets may sell their own brands of loperamide, usually called anti-diarrhoea or diarrhoea relief capsules. Some products have IBS in the name. However, they're no different from others. Loperamide is available to buy without a prescription for: anyone aged 12 and older with short-term diarrhoea an adult 18 years and older with IBS diarrhoea, but only if a doctor has diagnosed IBS.

If you are not sure whether you have IBS, talk to your doctor It's available on prescription only for: children again 11 years and younger young people aged 12 to 17 years with IBS or long-lasting diarrhoea adults with long-lasting diarrhoea.

Younger children Only give loperamide to children aged 11 years or under if their doctor prescribes it. Loperamide is not suitable for some people. How to take it You can take loperamide with or without food. Capsules and tablets: swallow these whole, with a drink of water. Dosage and strength Loperamide comes as: tablets and capsules that contain 2mg of loperamide liquid that contains 1mg of loperamide in a 5ml spoonful The recommended dose depends on the type of diarrhoea you have and your age.

Adults over 18 , with short-term diarrhoea or IBS The usual starting dose is: capsules or tablets: take 2 capsules or tablets, taken immediately. Then take 1 capsule or tablet after each runny poo. Then take 2 spoonfuls after each runny poo. Stop taking loperamide as soon as your symptoms settle down. The recommended maximum dose in 24 hours is: 6 capsules or tablets, if you buy loperamide from a shop 8 capsules or tablets, or 16 spoonfuls of liquid 5ml each , if you have a prescription or buy loperamide from a pharmacy Do not take loperamide for more than 48 hours without talking to a doctor.

Adults over 18 with long-lasting or recurring diarrhoea Most cases of diarrhoea get better in 5 to 7 days. The usual starting dose is: 2 to 4 capsules or tablets, spaced evenly throughout the day 4 to 8 spoonfuls of liquid loperamide 5ml each , spaced evenly throughout the day Your doctor will adjust your dose according to your symptoms and how well loperamide is working, up to a maximum of: 8 tablets or capsules in 24 hours 16 spoonfuls of liquid loperamide 5ml each in 24 hours Once you're on the right dose, your doctor will usually recommend dividing your daily dose, so you take half in the morning and half in the afternoon or evening.

Children's doses Do not give loperamide to children under 12 years old unless their doctor prescribes it. Age 12 years and over with short-term diarrhoea — the dose is the same as for adults. Age 12 to 17 years with IBS or long-lasting diarrhoea — follow the instructions from their doctor.

This is given on prescription only. Age 11 years or younger — follow the instructions from their doctor. What if I forget to take it? Do not take a double dose to make up for the one you forgot. What if I take too much?

Do not take more than the recommended amount. Urgent advice: Contact for advice now if:. Common side effects These common side effects happen in more than 1 in people. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if these side effects bother you or do not go away: constipation difficulty doing a poo feeling dizzy feeling sick headaches farting wind Serious side effects It's rare to have a serious side effect with loperamide.

Tell a doctor straight away if you: feel faint or less alert, or if you pass out faint start moving in a clumsy, uncoordinated way Serious allergic reaction In rare cases, it's possible to have a serious allergic reaction anaphylaxis to loperamide.