Loperamide-Akrikhin is an effective drug that is recommended for patients with diarrhea. These pills help to normalize stool and relieve a person of discomfort associated with the disorder in the shortest possible time. But like all other medicines, Loperamide has its own list of contraindications, therefore, before using it, you need to consult a doctor.
Material Content:
The composition of the drug
Loperamide-Akrikhin is a drug that is available in the form of capsules for oral administration. This tool works due to the presence of a special chemical compound - loperamide hydrochloride. It is this substance that has a pronounced antidiarrheal activity.
The composition of the drug also includes some auxiliary components, which include:
- talc;
- silica;
- starch;
- lactose;
- magnesium stearate.
For quick and comfortable swallowing of the capsule, a smooth shell is provided, the components of which are gelatin, titanium dioxide and dyes.
Indications for use of Loperamide-Akrikhin
Loperamide-Akrikhin helps with intestinal upset. The doctor will advise you to take capsules in cases where a person is worried about loose stools. In this case, the medication is equally effective in cases of acute or chronic diarrhea.
The main indications for using the medication are:
- disorders of the stool against allergies;
- diarrhea of an emotional nature;
- poisoning;
- metabolic disorders.
Important.Loperamide-Akrikhin capsules are also prescribed for patients who suffer from diarrhea associated with diseases of infectious origin, however, in this case, you need to remember some nuances. The medicine will help to quickly normalize the stool, but will not affect the cause of the disease. This means that the medication will serve as an auxiliary element of therapy.
The drug does not work by eliminating the root cause of stool disorders, but by affecting the gastrointestinal motility. Some time after taking the capsule, the intestinal wall relaxes, and peristalsis weakens. In parallel with this, the tone of the anal sphincter, the ring muscle serving as the end of the digestive tract, rises. As a result, diarrhea stops, and the frequency of urge to defecate is reduced. The action of the drug lasts an average of 4-6 hours, after which another dose is required, but without consulting a specialist it is better not to do this.
Instructions and dosage for children and adults
Instructions for use are enclosed in each pack with the drug. There, all the indications and contraindications are examined in detail, and the method of taking the medication is described.
The dose will depend on the nature of the diarrhea, its causes and the age of the patient.
- In case of acute diarrhea, children are prescribed 2 mg. It is required to take this volume of medicine after each act of defecation during the day. In this case, do not exceed a dose of 8 mg.
- In chronic disorders, children are also given 2 mg, but the maximum daily dose will be 6 mg.
- An adult patient with an acute attack of diarrhea should take a single dose of 4 mg. Then they take 1 capsule (2 mg) after each bowel movement.
- With chronic diarrhea, it is enough to take 4 mg of the drug per day.
Take the capsule inside without crushing and chewing it. It is enough just to drink dragee with a small amount of water. Meal time does not play a role in this.
On a note. The drug is canceled immediately after stool normalization. An antidiarrheal agent will not be necessary if defecation is absent for 12 or more hours.
During pregnancy and lactation
Violations of the normal defecation process are a common occurrence during pregnancy. However, a woman should especially carefully choose medications for diarrhea, so as not to accidentally harm the child.
Loperamide is considered one of the most sparing medicines, therefore, when carrying a baby, you can take it. The exception is only the first trimester, when all the main organs of the unborn child are formed.
During natural feeding, you should also refrain from taking Loperamide and choose another tool to normalize bowel functions.
Contraindications, side effects and overdose
Capsules are considered effective against loose stools, but they can not always be used.
The list of contraindications includes such conditions as the following:
- bowel obstruction;
- individual intolerance to the components of the drug;
- allergic reactions;
- ulcerative colitis, proceeding in acute form;
- pregnancy (early stages up to 12 weeks);
- lactation.
Doctors do not prescribe Loperamide-Akrikhin and with suspected intestinal infections, including enterocolitis or dysentery. This is due to the fact that a delay in stool while taking a medication will provoke a change in the clinical picture and increase the risk of errors in making a diagnosis.
Side effects on the background of treatment are extremely rare. The incentive for their development may be too prolonged use of the medication.
In this case, the following symptoms are observed:
- skin rash;
- dry mouth and thirst;
- stomach ache;
- flatulence;
- nausea;
- dizziness.
The vast majority of symptoms are most often associated not only with taking capsules, but also with the loss of a large amount of fluid during diarrhea. The patient is disturbed in electrolyte balance, which is why weakness and pain are felt.Reception of special salt solutions (Regidron) will help to solve this problem.
An overdose of the drug is a rare occurrence. Her symptoms are depression of the nervous system.
Typical symptoms are:
- headache;
- muscle cramps;
- drowsiness;
- narrowing of the pupils;
- respiratory depression.
As a rule, doctors in case of an overdose recommend emergency gastric lavage. There is also a specific antidote - Naloxone.
Analogues of antidiarrheal agent
To eliminate loose stool, a doctor may prescribe both Loperamide and one of its analogues.
The most popular among them are:
- Lopedium is an absolutely identical composition drug that can not be taken with diarrhea of infectious origin;
- Imodium - a drug with the same active substance, but characterized by a high degree of purification;
- Uzara is an atypical drug whose action is based on plant components.
Diarrhea is a serious bowel disorder that causes discomfort and can signal any illness. It is important to consult a doctor in a timely manner to make the correct diagnosis and prescribe adequate treatment. To eliminate an unpleasant symptom, the drug Loperamide-Akrikhin is successfully used.
