Anti-Diarrhoeal agents - loperamide Flashcards
1
Q
How does loperamide work?
A
Loperamide is an opoid that does not penetrate the CNS so has no pain relief effects.
It reduces the peristaltic contractions of the gut so transit of bowel contents is slowed and anal sphincter tone increased.
2
Q
What are the side effects of loperamide?
A
GI effects:
- constipation
- abdo cramp
- flatulence
3
Q
What are the contraindications of loparemide?
A
- nhibits peristalsis so increases risk of perforation / toxic megacolon in:
- acute ulcerative colitis
- C.diff colitis
-don’t use in acute bloody diarrhoea (dysentry) as this is sign of bacterial infection
4
Q
what are the drug interactions of loperamide?
A
- no drug interactions
