Fructose Malabsorption & Imodium

Fructose malabsorption can cause diarrhea, bloating and gas. To treat the diarrhea, many sufferers use Imodium, an over-the-counter medication. As with many medications, Imodium can cause allergic reactions and may not be safe to take if you’re pregnant. If you have trouble digesting fructose, a sugar that naturally occurs in fruit, honey and vegetables, you can prevent diarrhea and other intestinal discomfort by following a low-fructose diet. Consult a physician about Imodium use to ensure it is an appropriate treatment for your condition.

Fructose Malabsorption

Fructose malapbsorption, sometimes called fructose intolerance, means your body doesn’t properly digest fructose. It stays in your gastrointestinal tract too long, leading to uncomfortable symptoms. Although fructose malabsorption is sometimes called fructose intolerance, the latter is a more serious, inherited condition caused by an inability to convert fructose into glucose, the simple form of sugar that provides your body with vital energy. If you have fructose malabsorption, limit fructose consumption. If you have an inherited fructose intolerance, you may need to avoid fruit sugar entirely.

Sources of Fructose

If you have fructose malabsporption, taking Imodium can help relieve an occasional case of diarrhea. To avoid diarrhea, don’t drink soda sweetened with high fructose corn syrup or commercial baked goods and snacks that contain table sugar. Fructose makes up half the sugar in table sugar – also called sucrose – and 42 percent to 55 percent of the sugar in high fructose corn syrup, according to a scientific statement released in April 2011 by the American Heart Association. A can of regular cola contains 22.5 grams of fructose, compared to a cup of raspberries, which contains 2.9 grams.

Imodium Side Effects

If you take Imodium to relieve symptoms of fructose malabsorption, common side effects include drowsiness and dizziness. The main active ingredient, loperamide HCI, may cause a rash and other allergic reactions. Do not take Imodium if your stools are bloody or black. If you are running a fever, have a history of liver disease, have mucus in your stool or are taking antibiotics, talk to your doctor before taking Imodium. Stop using Imodium and call your doctor if your symptoms get worse, your diarrhea does not go away within two days or if you notice a swelling or bulge in your abdomen.

Considerations

You can eat most vegetables on a low-fructose diet. Corn, carrots and sweet potatoes may upset your intestines – try in small quantities to judge your ability to tolerate them. Fruits to avoid or limit include pears, apples, cherries, peaches, applesauce and canned fruits. Some artificial sweeteners, including sorbitol, contain fructose. Some medications also include added fructose. If you use Imodium regularly to relieve diarrhea, talk to your doctor about your fructose consumption and other conditions that might cause gastrointestinal problems.