(for veterinary information only)

BRAND NAME: IMODIUM AD

AVAILABLE IN      
2 mg                
CAPLETS             
AND AS ORAL LIQUID

BACKGROUND

The term “intestinal motility” refers to the ability of intestinal muscle to contract and move intestinal contents from the mouth end of the animal to the anal end of the animal.

In older times, it was thought that diarrhea was the result of excessive motility in the intestinal tract, that intestinal contents were rushed through prematurely in a sequence of muscular spasms. For years, diarrhea was symptomatically treated with medications designed to abolish intestinal muscle tone with the idea that these spasms could be prevented.  Results were disappointing.

More recently, the details of intestinal contractions have been elucidated.  There are many types of muscle contractions in the intestine. There is the forward-propelling “peristaltic” contraction that moves intestinal contents forward. There is “segmental” contraction which can divide the intestine into small segments where different materials can be sequestered temporarily for absorption and digestion. There is also an overall general muscle tone or “tonus” to the intestinal tract and it is this “tonus” that controls the speed by which intestinal contents moves.  More muscle tone/tonus means slower movement of intestinal contents, more absorption of water from the intestinal contents, and less tendency towards diarrhea. When this muscle tone is abolished, intestinal contents simply pour through the tract and diarrhea is worse.

HOW THIS MEDICATION WORKS

Despite its inability to produce recreational euphoria, loperamide is actually a member of the opiate class of drugs.  Opiates have numerous effects that have made them beneficial (as well targets of abuse) for centuries; one such beneficial effect is an increase in general muscle tone of the small intestine. As described above, increasing tonus means more absorption of water and nutrients and less diarrhea.

An additional benefit of loperamide could be helpful in dogs with fecal incontinence.  Loperamide may have a tightening effect on the internal anal sphincter.

SIDE EFFECTS

Side effects are not common with loperamide but constipation and/or bloating are possibilities. Since loperamide is an opiate, tranquilization is a possible side effect.

INTERACTIONS WITH OTHER DRUGS

Opiates should not be given to patients concurrently taking L-Deprenyl (Anipryl) or other Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors.  Actually serious reactions have only been observed between L-Deprenyl and mepiridine (demerol) but, to be safe, the warning has been extended to all opiates.

Tranquilizers and antihistamines should not be used with opiates as sedating properties may be overly enhanced.

CONCERNS AND CAUTIONS

Use of this medication may falsely elevate lab tests for pancreatitis (amylase and lipase levels)

This medication is contraindicated for diarrheas involving intestinal toxins (parvovirus enteritis or patients with liver failure would be a good examples).  In these cases, the absorption enhancing effects of loperamide could be a serious problem as one would not want to enhance the absorption of intestinal toxins.

Loperamide should not be used in debilitated patients.