Loperamide hydrochloride (HCL) is an over-the-counter medication used to manage Traveler's diarrhea. Typically, this diarrheal infection is contracted when you travel abroad to a place with poor sanitation and an unfiltered water supply. Drugs.com says that loperamide HCL works to decrease intestinal activity. Therefore, your bowel is calm and your diarrhea is decreased. The National Library of Medicine says that the recommended dosage for loperamide HCL is 2 to 4 milligrams after a diarrhea episode. Follow the instructions on the package and do not take more 16 milligrams a day. Doing so can lead to unwanted side effects.
Common Side Effects
According to Drugs.com, loperamide hydrochloride's most common side effects include stomach pain, bloating, nausea and vomiting. It can also cause constipation, dry mouth, sleepiness, fatigue and dehydration. Drink plenty of fluids in order to replace the fluids you are losing with your bouts of diarrhea. These side effects are harmless but discontinue loperamide use if these symptoms worsen. Talk to your pharmacist or doctor and she may recommend another over-the-counter remedy. If your diarrhea is unrelenting, she may provide you with a prescription-strength anti-diarrheal medication.
Harmful Side Effects
MedlinePlus states that loperamide hydrochloride can cause such hazardous side effects as difficulty breathing, wheezing, hives, itchiness and a skin rash. Discontinue loperamide immediately and go to your local emergency center as all these symptoms are potentially life-threatening.
Other Side Effects
According to the National Library of Medicine, loperamide hydrochloride can cause paralytic ileus (condition in which your intestines malfunction and no longer participate in digestion), megacolon (widened colon) and flatulence (gas). It can also cause urinary retention and such serious skin diseases as Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis. Both skin disorders are characterized by red and peeling skin.
Additional Concerns
Avoid loperamide hydrochloride if you are allergic to it or its ingredients. Difficulty breathing, hives and angioedema (swelling of your face, throat and lips) can occur.
Do not take loperamide hydrochloride if you have stomach pain without diarrhea. Sometimes, your stomach pain may be due to another severe condition other than traveler's diarrhea. Taking loperamide can temporarily paralyze your intestines and cause more harm than good, especially if you are suffering from another gastrointestinal condition.
