Superdrug Diarrhoea Relief Instant-Melts 2 Mg Orodispersible Tablets
130 mm
210 mm
Information for fhe user
Diarrhoea Relief Instant-Melts 2 mg Orodispersible Tablets (Loperamide Hydrochloride)
Read all of this leaflet carefully because it contains important information for you.
This medicine is available without prescription to treat a minor condition. However, you still need to take it carefully to get the best results from it.
• Keep this leaflet, you may need to read it again
• Ask your pharmacist if you need more information or advice
What this medicine is for
This medicine contains Loperamide Hydrochloride which belongs to a group of medicines called antidiarrhoeals, which act to relieve the symptoms of sudden, short term diarrhoea (“acute" diarrhoea). It works by making the stools (“poo”) more solid and less frequent.
It can be used to relieve short term diarrhoea in adults and children of 12 years and over. It can also be used by adults of 18 years and over who have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which has been previously diagnosed by a doctor, to relieve short term diarrhoea associated with it.
Before you take this medicine
This medicine can be taken by adults and children of 12 years and over. However, diarrhoea is a common symptom of a number of serious stomach and bowel conditions and therefore some people should not take this medicine or should seek the advice of their pharmacist or doctor first.
X Do not take:
• If you are allergic to loperamide or to any of the ingredients in this medicine (see “What is in this medicine")
• If you are a child under 12 years of age
• If you are having a flare up of an inflammatory bowel condition, such as ulcerative colitis
• If you have very smelly stools, blood or pus in your stools, stomach pain, or a fever
• If you have dysentery (a disease caused by eating and drinking contaminated food and water) - you may have a fever and blood in your stools
• If you have severe diarrhoea after taking antibiotics
• If you have a swollen stomach
• If you are constipated, or have any condition which may cause constipation or where constipation should be avoided such as if you are severely dehydrated
• If you have paralysis (non movement) of the bowel muscles, or an obstruction of the bowel
• If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, unless your doctor tells you to
f Talk to your pharmacist or doctor: 1
• If you have liver problems |
• If you have AIDS (you may be more likely to i
experience some of the side effects - if your |
stomach becomes swollen stop taking the tablets i and talk to your doctor) 1
• If you have IBS but have not had this condition
previously diagnosed by a doctor i
• If you have IBS, which has previously been j
diagnosed by a doctor, but you notice any of the , following new symptoms: '
- If you are 40 years or over and it is some time ]
since your last attack of IBS, or if the i
symptoms are different this time 1
- If you have recently passed blood from the !
- If you have severe constipation ]
- If you are feeling sick or being sick i
- If you have lost your appetite or lost weight, 1 especially if losing weight without trying
- If you have difficulty or pain on passing urine i
- If you have a fever
- If you have recently travelled abroad !
Other important information <
Diarrhoea is a common symptom of a number of | serious stomach and bowel conditions. If your i diarrhoea continues or keeps coming back talk to ] your doctor. ,
Dehydration may be a complication of diarrhoea,! as large amounts of fluid are lost in the stools. i This medicine acts only to make the stools more | solid and less frequent and does not replace lost , fluids. Therefore it is important to drink more fluid 1 than usual.
When your body loses fluid, the amount of salts ] (electrolytes) in your body may also change and i this can cause a condition called electrolyte 1 imbalance. To help balance the fluid and salt \ levels in your body to the right levels your i pharmacist may recommend that you also take a ] “rehydration treatment" if you have diarrhoea, i
especially if you are elderly. 1
Driving and using machines: This medicine i
may cause people to feel tired, sleepy or dizzy.
You should not drive or use machines, until you i are sure you are not affected. 1
If you take other medicines
Before you take these tablets, make sure that you \ tell your pharmacist about ANY other medicines i you might be using at the same time, particularly ] the following: ,
• Ritonavir (used to treat HIV) '
• Quinidine (for heart rhythm problems)
• Itraconazole, ketoconazole (for fungal infections) i ________________________4004907
'• GemfibrozillforTowenng leveTs offatTnlhebTood)
• Desmopressin (for treating excessive urination or bed wetting)
• Other medicines for diarrhoea, constipation, or for other stomach and bowel conditions
If you are unsure about interactions with any other medicines, talk to your pharmacist. This includes medicines prescribed by your doctor and medicine you have bought for yourself, including herbal and homeopathic remedies.
/ How to take this medicine
Check the foil is not broken before use. If it is, do not take that tablet.
With dry hands take the tablet from the foil and place immediately on the tongue.
The tablets, which are “melt in the mouth" peppermint flavoured tablets, are designed to be placed on the tongue and allowed to completely disintegrate before swallowing. The tablets will normally disintegrate in the mouth in contact with saliva, therefore water or other liquids are not normally needed in order to take the tablets. However, you may need to drink more fluid than usual when you have diarrhoea as fluids may be lost in the stools (see “Other important information").
|
Age |
What for |
How many |
How often |
|
Adults and children of 12 years and over |
Short term diarrhoea |
Two tablets to start with. After that, take one tablet after each loose bowel movement. |
Don’t lake more than 6 tablets in 24 hours. Don’t take for more than 48 hours. |
|
Adults only (18 years and over) |
Diarrhoea associated with irritable bowel syndrome, which has been diagnosed by a doctor |
Two tablets to start with. After that, take one tablet as needed until stools become solid. |
Don’t take more than 6 tablets in 24 hours. Don't take for more than 48 hours for each attack of diarrhoea. |
Do not give to children under 12 years.
Do not take more than the amount recommended above.
If your short term diarrhoea does not go away within 48 hours talk to your doctor.
If you need to take this medicine for repeated attacks of diarrhoea associated with IBS for more than 14 days, or if you notice new symptoms, or symptoms worsen, talk to your doctor.
? If you take too many tablets: Talk to a doctor straight away. Take your medicine and this leaflet with you.
Possible side effects
Most people will not have problems, but some may get some.
f If you get any of these serious side effects, stop taking the tablets. See a doctor at once:
• Difficulty in breathing, swelling of the face, neck, tongue or throat (severe allergic reactions)
If you get any of the following side effects see your pharmacist or doctor:
Common side effects:
(less than 1 in every 10 people are affected)
• Headache, dizziness
• Feeling sick, constipation, wind Uncommon side effects:
(less than 1 in every 100 people are affected)
• Dry mouth, being sick, indigestion, stomach discomfort, stomach or upper abdominal pain
• Feeling very sleepy or wanting to sleep
• Skin rash
Rare side effects:
(less than 1 in every 1000 people are affected)
• Obstruction of the bowel, dilation of the bowel, paralysis (non movement) of the bowel muscles which may stop bowel movements
• Swelling of the stomach and abdomen
• Burning sensation of the tongue
• Allergic skin reactions such as itchy, red, raised rash (which can sometimes be severe and include peeling, swelling, blistering and lesions of the skin)
• General feeling of tiredness, loss or decreased levels of consciousness, lack of coordination, lack of response to stimulation
• Difficulty focussing
• Difficulty passing urine
Reporting of side effects
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
How to store this medicine
Do not store above 25°C.
The tablets should be stored in the original packaging, in order to protect from moisture.
Keep this medicine in a safe place out of the sight and reach of children, preferably in a locked cupboard.
Use by the date on the end flap of the carton or on the foil. After this date return any unused product to your nearest pharmacy for safe disposal.
What is in this medicine
Each orodispersible tablet contains Loperamide Hydrochloride 2 mg, which is the active ingredient.
As well as the active ingredient, the tablets also contain citric acid anhydrous, croscarmellose sodium, crospovidone, magnesium stearate, mannitol, colloidal silica anhydrous, colloidal silica hydrated, pregelatinised starch, sucralose, peppermint flavour.
The pack contains 6 or 12 white, round flat tablets,
Who makes this medicine
Manufactured for The Boots Company PLC Nottingham NG2 3AA by Galpharm International Ltd Elmhirst Park Middle Reid Road Barnsley South Yorkshire S75 4LS UK. Marketing Authorisation held by Galpharm Healthcare Ltd Wrafton Braunton Devon EX33 2DL UK.
Leaflet prepared January 2014 If you would like any farther information about this medicine, please contact The Boots Company PLC Nottingham NG2 3AA 4004907