Loperamid is a potent synthetic antidiarrheal. It acts directly in the bowel walls, where it binds with the opiates receptors, which slow the intestinal motility. Loperamid in this way inhibits peristalsis activity, which leads to the reduction of the fluid and electrolytes loss from the gut. In this way the daily stool volume is reduced, while the density and viscosity of the mass increases.
Loperamid is used in the symptomatic treatment of acute diarrhea of different etiologies, including the acute worsening of acute diarrhea in adults and children above 12 years old (in the age between 6-12 years, it should be used only under medical prescription).
In the treatment of chronic diarrhea, it is used only in adults.
In patients with ileostomy, it may be used to reduce the number and volume of defecation and to increase the consistency of stools.
