With problems of the gastrointestinal tract at least once in life, every person came across. And everyone knows that indigestion brings a lot of unpleasant moments. Many already know that one of the fastest and most effective drugs against diarrhea is imodium, the main constituent in which is loperamide.
It is produced in various forms: lyophilized tablets, tablets for resorption, capsules. Imodium is not produced only in the form of a suspension for children.
From this article you will learn how loperamide acts on the human body and whether it is possible to give imodium to children.
Imodium: the principle of action
Due to the influence of loperamide, the main active component of imodium, as a blocker for certain receptors located in the digestive organs, the motor function of the intestine decreases (an increase in the tone of the anal sphincter and rectum). As a result, undigested food stays longer in the gastrointestinal tract and the amount of urges decreases. What happens after taking the medicine:
- normal work of the muscles of the intestine;
- decreases the release of liquid (mucus) into the intestine;
- absorption of water and salts is balanced;
- pains decrease with spasms of smooth musculature of the intestine.
The effect of the drug begins about an hour after its administration, and the greatest effect occurs in 4-6 hours.
Imodium: contraindications
The use of imodium is contraindicated in such diagnoses and situations as:
- acute dysentery and other infections of the gastrointestinal tract, especially with a stool with blood or an increase in body temperature;
- bacterial enterocolitis, acute ulcerative colitis and pseudomembranous colitis;
- with intestinal obstruction;
- hypersensitivity to any component of the drug;
- lactation;
- the first trimester of pregnancy, application at later dates is possible, but also not desirable;
- failures in the liver;
- children under 12 years.
If you carefully read the instructions for this medicine, there is very often a restriction on the age of 6 years. But for children, especially up to a year, imodium in any dosage is deadly, since direct exposure to the smooth muscles of the intestine, to detain food there, causes paralysis of intestinal muscles. In very young children, in addition to this, there is a development of severe swelling of the abdominal cavity, which can lead to death. Proceeding from this, in order to prevent such consequences, it is better to start using imodium to treat older children, i.e. years from 12.
Imodium: side effects
Despite effective help with diarrhea, but more often with long-term imodium intake, a large number of side effects appear:
- in the digestive system: constipation, bloating, intestinal colic, pain or discomfort in the abdomen, vomiting, dry mouth, very rarely - intestinal obstruction and distortion of taste;
- in the nervous system: fatigue, dizziness and drowsiness;
- in the metabolism: hypovolemia and a decrease in the content of salts;
- allergic reactions in the form of skin rashes, hives and itching.
Is it possible to give imodium to children?
No! Since loperamide, which is part of the imodium, does not heal, but simply delays all the toxins inside the body and the child can only become worse. It is better to use other medicines to treat diarrhea in children: enterosgel or smecta , and keep it on a strict diet: broth on chicken legs, rice porridge on water, breadcrumbs, blueberry meringue, mint broth, without any vegetables, juices and fruits. But do not use diarrhea to self-medicate, but immediately you need to see a doctor.