Home

>

Cat

>

Health & Wellbeing

>

Loperamide in Veterinary Medicine - Facts and Information

Loperamide

Updated on September 10, 2024

Imodium® is an over the counter antidiarrheal medication formulated for use in humans.

Loperamide

Summary

Used For:

Treatment of diarrhea

Brands:

Imodium®

Species:

Dog, cats (controversial), rabbits, rodents

Drug type:

Gastrointestinal

Prescription required:

No

Pregnancy and lactation:

Safety during pregnancy and nursing has not been established.

Side effects:

Constipation, bloat, sedation, ileus (lack of normal intestinal movement), toxic megacolon
 

General description

Imodium® may be used for the symptomatic treatment of diarrhea in dogs under some circumstances. The use of Imodium® in cats is controversial due to potential side effects. Extra-label use in veterinary species.

Uses

Diarrhea in dogs and reduction of gut motility in rabbits and rodents. Use for the treatment of diarrhea in cats is controversial.

How it works

Loperamide decreases diarrhea by slowing gut motility so that the gastrointestinal contents move through the intestines more slowly.

Dosage

Dogs: 0.08-0.1 milligrams per kilogram of body weight by mouth every 8 hours as needed Cats: 0.04-0.16 milligrams per kilogram of body weight by mouth every 12 hours **(considered controversial, not recommended unless prescribed by veterinarian)** Rabbits and Rodents: 0.1 milligrams per kilogram of body weight mixed in 1 ml of water by mouth every 8 hours for 3 days then once daily for 2 days.

Forms

Imodium® caplets for oral use available in a 2 milligram size. Imodium® liquid suspension for oral use available in 1 milligram per 5 milliliter and 1 milligram per 7.5 milliliter concentrations.

Storage information & handling

Store in a tightly sealed container at room temperature, out of reach of pets and children.

What results can I expect?

Resolution of diarrhea.

Missed Dosage

If a dose is missed, continue with the next dosage at the scheduled time. Do not give two doses at once.

Overdose / acute toxicity

Vomiting, lethargy, weight loss, excess salivation (drooling), and neurologic system depression may occur with an overdose. Herding breeds may be at higher risk for overdose due to a genetic mutation. If an overdose is known or suspected, seek veterinary care immediately.

Side effects

*Constipation *Bloat *Sedation *Toxic megacolon *Pancreatitis *Central nervous system changes and/or depression *Excitatory neurologic effects in cats

Contraindications

*Use with caution and reduce the dose if used in dogs with MDR-1 gene mutations (including many herding breeds) *Avoid use if diarrhea is caused by bacterial overgrowth or toxin ingestion *Use with caution in dogs with hypothyroidism, Addison’s disease (hypoadrenocorticism), kidney disease, or a debilitated condition *Use with extreme caution or avoid use with liver disease, head injuries, or respiratory disease *Use with caution in dogs under 10 kilograms of body weight due to difficulty in appropriate dosing

Drug interactions

Amiodarone, carvedilol, propofol, progesterone, midazolam, ketamine, imipramine, propranolol, metoprolol, erythromycin, cyclosporine, tacrolimus, medetomidine, ketoconazole, itraconazole, quindine, tamoxifen, and verapamil may all interact with Imodium®.

Precaution

Use with extreme caution in dogs with hypothyroidism, Addison’s disease, kidney disease, debilitated patients, herding breeds or dogs with MDR-1 gene mutations, and dogs under 10 kilograms of body

Sources

Plumb’s Veterinary Drug Handbook

Related Questions

left image

My dog I heated uses tampon is it an emergency

Unfortunately I'm having a little trouble understand your question as I'm not sure what you mean by "My dog I heated uses tampons..." I'm wondering if Bella ate a tampon or if you wanted to use one on her while she is in heat. I will answer both to be safe. If she ate a tampon, then yes this is a medical emergency and she has to see a vet now. Tampons can easily cause obstructions in the GI tract, especially since they are absorbent and can get large in the stomach from liquid in there. if Bella ate a tampon, you need to take her into a vet immediately to get it removed. If she is on heat, no you cannot use a tampon to control her bleeding. It's not safe to use at all, and are not meant for dogs. You can put a diaper on her to catch any bloody discharge. There are dog specific diapers online and at pets stores, or you can use one made of a human child. Just cut a hole in it for her tail. Hopefully this answers your question. If it doesn't, I'm sorry and ask you post again in the forum for free to it can get answered!

Read More

I have a cat that as a kitten was very ill. We got him from 7 months old. We knew he’d had cat flu prior to him coming here. He is now nearly 5 yrs old. He picks huge fights with our other cat. He keeps urinating and scratching at doors and windows around the house. We allow him to go out via the cat flap unlimited. What is happening to him

I'm glad to see that Pippin has been neutered because this eliminates that possibility of hormone-fueled behavioral changes and aggression. Behavioral changes in cats can occur at any point in time, and could be related to anxiety or stressful situations (even rearranging furniture or introducing new people to the home can be stressful to cats). Without a lot more information and observing Pippin's behaviors, I can't precisely tell you why these changes are occurring. It may be best to consult a veterinary behaviorist in your home so that they can observe everything firsthand. You can also try using calming pheromone collars or diffusers (Feliway is one example), and discussing the use of anxiety medication with Pippin's vet. I hope that all goes well!

Read More

Hi! My cat was recently diagnosed with diabetes. He’s taking insulin and taking antibiotics for a Uti. It’s been 4 weeks and he wobles when he’s walking. He can’t jump up on the bed like he used to.He’s blood sugar is 250 it’s better than it used to. I don’t understand why he’s so wobbly.

Cats can develop what's called diabetic neuropathy, where their hindlegs become progressively weak. The best thing to do is try to get his diabetes under control as quickly as possible. Here is a link describing the conditon: http://www.diabeticcatcare.com/DCCCOK/Neuropathy.htm

Read More

My senior cat has metastized cancer.17 yrs old. My vet gave her predizone1 and one half tabs a day.i wanted to know if i can just stop the meds.

Is there a reason you want to stop the prednisone? I would recommend not stopping it and if you feel it is better to stop the prednisone then I would recommend weaning off of the prednisone. I would discuss how to wean the prednisone with your veterinarian. Thank you for using Boop by Petco.

Read More

My dog has an ear infection

Sorry to hear Marley isn't doing so well with his ears. It is not possible to tell from tge picture tve exact nature of the irritation but if it is indeed infected (typically red, hot, painful and smelly), he will need prescription medication from his regular vet. In the meantime I recommend gently cleaning tge outer war with cotton wool and a pet safe ear cleaner to reduce the build up of wax/discharge

Read More

My dog vomited a pinkish colour. Does this look like blood vomit? She doesn’t have diarrhoea or anything else. Yesterday i fed her plain chicken with rice.

That is very red vomit, however, this color could be linked to a number of things including blood in the vomit, inflammation of the GI tract, having chewed on a toy this color, eaten a food item this color, or gotten into a plant or other item this color. If the vomiting continues, worsens, or other symptoms appear such as a painful or bloated abdomen, diarrhea or blood in the stool, or severe distress, I would schedule a veterinary appointment right away to rule out more severe issues. In the meantime I would continue the bland diet for 24 hours, and monitor for any additional vomiting or illness symptoms.

Read More

right image
image

Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Book Now

Disclaimer

The information contained on this page is for educational purposes only. This medication should only be given under the advice of a veterinarian who has examined your pet under the laws applicable to your state of residence.