Imodium (loperamide) is a brand-name, over-the-counter (OTC) medication that’s used to treat the symptoms of diarrhea in adults and some children. Imodium comes in several forms that are taken as needed.
Imodium is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat the symptoms of diarrhea, including traveler’s diarrhea, in adults and children over the age of 2 years.
Imodium belongs to a drug class called antidiarrheals. Imodium is available in a generic version.
Keep reading for specific information about the dosage of Imodium, including its strengths and how to take the medication. For a comprehensive look at Imodium, see this article.
Note: This article describes typical dosages for Imodium provided by the drug’s manufacturer. When taking Imodium, do not take more than the recommended amount for your condition.
The typically recommended dosages for Imodium are described below.
Imodium forms
Imodium comes in three forms:
- oral capsules (softgels)
- oral tablets (caplets)
- oral solution
Imodium strengths
Imodium caplets and softgels come in one strength of 2 milligrams (mg).
Imodium oral solution comes in one strength: 1 mg per 7.5 milliliters (mL) of solution.
Typical dosages
The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended for the short-term treatment of diarrhea in adults.
Dosage for the short-term treatment of diarrhea
Imodium is available as an OTC medication to self-treat symptoms of diarrhea. This means you don’t need a prescription from your doctor to buy Imodium.
The recommended dosage of Imodium depends on which form of the drug you’re taking and how well your symptoms are managed.
| Form | Adult dosage |
|---|---|
| Imodium A-D softgels | Take 2 softgels after your first loose stool. Take 1 softgel after each loose stool you have after that. Do not take more than 4 softgels in 24 hours. |
| Imodium A-D caplets | Take 2 caplets after your first loose stool. Take 1 caplet after each loose stool you have after that. Do not take more than 4 caplets in 24 hours. |
| Imodium A-D oral solution | Take 30 mL of solution after your first loose stool. Take 15 mL of solution after each loose stool you have after that. Do not take more than 60 mL in 24 hours. |
If Imodium hasn’t managed your diarrhea symptoms within 2 days, consult your doctor.
Children’s dosage
Imodium is approved to treat the symptoms of diarrhea in children older than 2 years of age. The dosage of some forms of Imodium should be based on your child’s body weight in pounds (lb), if possible. You can also base the dosage on your child’s age if you don’t know how much they weigh.
The tables below list the typical dosing schedule for children taking Imodium based on what dosage form is being used.
Dosage of Imodium A-D softgels in children
| Age | Dosage of Imodium A-D softgels |
|---|---|
| children ages 12 years and older | Take 2 softgels after the first loose stool. Take 1 softgel after each subsequent loose stool. But do not take more than 4 softgels in 24 hours. |
| children under 12 years | Do not use Imodium A-D softgels. Talk with your child’s doctor or pharmacist about other treatment options. |
Dosage of Imodium A-D caplets in children
| Age | Dosage of Imodium A-D caplets |
|---|---|
| children ages 12 years and older | Take 2 caplets after the first loose stool. Take 1 caplet after each subsequent loose stool. But do not take more than 4 caplets in 24 hours. |
| children ages 9 to 11 years (or 60 lb to 95 lb) | Take 1 caplet after the first loose stool. Take half of a caplet after each subsequent loose stool. But do not take more than 3 caplets in 24 hours. |
| children ages 6 to 8 years (or 48 lb to 59 lb) | Take 1 caplet after the first loose stool. Take half of a caplet after each subsequent loose stool. But do not take more than 2 caplets in 24 hours. |
| children ages 2 to 5 years (or 37 lb to 47 lb) | Talk with your child’s doctor or pharmacist before using Imodium A-D caplets. |
| children under 2 years (up to 33 lb) | Do not use Imodium A-D caplets. Talk with your child’s doctor or pharmacist about other treatment options. |
Dosage of Imodium A-D oral solution in children
| Age | Dosage of Imodium A-D oral solution |
|---|---|
| children ages 12 years and older | Take 30 mL after the first loose stool. Take 15 mL after each subsequent loose stool. But do not take more than 60 mL in 24 hours. |
| children ages 9 to 11 years (or 60 lb to 95 lb) | Take 15 mL after the first loose stool. Take 7.5 mL after each subsequent loose stool. But do not take more than 45 mL in 24 hours. |
| children ages 6 to 8 years (or 48 lb to 59 lb) | Take 15 mL after the first loose stool. Take 7.5 mL after each subsequent loose stool. But do not take more than 30 mL in 24 hours. |
| children ages 2 to 5 years (or 37 lb to 47 lb) | Talk with your child’s doctor or pharmacist before using Imodium A-D oral solution. |
| children under 2 years (up to 33 lb) | Do not use Imodium A-D oral solution. Talk with your child’s doctor or pharmacist about other treatment options. |
Talk with your child’s doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about your child’s dosage.
Long-term treatment
Imodium is typically taken short term to manage the symptoms of diarrhea. However, sometimes doctors will prescribe or recommend taking it for ongoing diarrhea.
You should not take Imodium for longer than 48 hours. If your diarrhea doesn’t get better within 2 days of starting Imodium treatment, talk with your doctor.
You should drink plenty of fluids while taking Imodium to help prevent dehydration from diarrhea. You may take your dose with or without food.
Below is information about how to take the different forms of Imodium:
- Imodium A-D softgels come as a liquid-filled capsule that you swallow whole. Do not divide, crush, or chew the capsule.
- Imodium A-D caplets come as an oral tablet that you swallow whole. Do not crush or chew the tablet. However, you can split the tablet in half along the line in the center of the tablet.
- Imodium A-D oral solution comes as a liquid solution that you swallow. Shake the bottle well before taking a dose. Be sure to use the dosing cup that comes with the liquid to measure the dose.
If you have trouble swallowing capsules or tablets, see this article for tips on how to take this form of medication. You can also take the Imodium oral solution instead.
If you have questions about how to take Imodium, talk with your pharmacist.
ACCESSIBLE DRUG LABELS AND CONTAINERSSome pharmacies offer labels with large print, braille, or a code you scan with a smartphone to convert text to speech. If your local pharmacy doesn’t have these options, your doctor or pharmacist might be able to recommend a pharmacy that does.
If you’re having trouble opening medication bottles, ask your pharmacist about putting Imodium in an easy-open container. They also may recommend tools that can make it easier to open bottles.
Below are some frequently asked questions about Imodium.
Is there anything I should not take with Imodium?
There aren’t any foods, supplements, vitamins, or herbs known to interact with Imodium. However, certain medications should not be taken with Imodium because of drug interactions.
Drug interactions can increase your risk of side effects or cause the medication to not work as well. To learn more about what drugs interact with Imodium, see this article.
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about drugs that you should not take with Imodium.
Is Imodium safe for older adults?
Yes, Imodium is safe for older adults (ages 65 years and older) when taken as recommended. However, older adults may have a higher risk of dehydration from diarrhea. Be sure to drink plenty of water while taking Imodium.
Older adults are also more likely to have heart rhythm problems and take certain medications that can interact with Imodium. For more information on drug interactions with Imodium, see this article.
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about older adults and Imodium.
It’s important that you do not take more Imodium than recommended by the manufacturer. For some medications, taking more than the recommended amount may lead to harmful effects or overdose.
Taking too much Imodium can lead to slowed breathing, fainting, and heart problems, such as irregular heartbeat. It can even cause death.
If you take more than the recommended amount of Imodium
Call your doctor right away if you believe you’ve taken too much Imodium. Another option is to call America’s Poison Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. If you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.
Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.