Imodium Dosages: Your GoodRx Guide
Key takeaways:
Imodium (loperamide) can help treat diarrhea in adults and children. To use it safely, be sure to stay within the maximum daily dose listed on the package. And check in with your healthcare provider if you need to use it for longer than 2 days.
The typical adult Imodium dosage is 4 mg after the first loose stool, then 2 mg after each next loose stool. The maximum dose is 8 mg per day.
Children’s Imodium doses, including the maximum daily dose, vary by body weight. Talk to a healthcare provider or pharmacist if you don’t see a dose for your child listed on the package.
Imodium is available over the counter as a brand-name medication. But you can also find it as a lower-cost generic. GoodRx can help make your prescription more affordable.
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Table of contents
Looking for relief from diarrhea? Well, there are many diarrhea medicines readily available over the counter (OTC) to help. Imodium (loperamide) is a popular OTC option for diarrhea, as well as for travelers’ diarrhea. But it’s important to know how to take it correctly. Here’s everything you need to know about the Imodium dosage for adults and children.
What’s the typical Imodium dosage for adults?
Imodium is a brand that has a few products on pharmacy shelves. All products contain the active ingredient loperamide, an antidiarrheal medication. There are also generic versions of Imodium products available. Although their packaging may look different, they contain the same amount of active ingredients.
Imodium A-D
You can find Imodium A-D as a tablet, capsule, and liquid solution. Imodium tablets and capsules contain 2 mg of loperamide per pill. And 7.5 mL of the solution contains 1 mg of loperamide.
Imodium tablet and capsule dosage for adults:
Take 2 pills (4 mg) after the first loose stool. Then take 1 pill after each next loose stool.
Don’t take more than 4 pills (8 mg) in 24 hours.
Imodium solution dosage for adults:
Take 30 mL (4 mg) after the first loose stool. Then take 15 mL (2 mg) after each next loose stool.
Don’t take more than 60 mL (8 mg) in 24 hours.
Imodium Multi-Symptom Relief
Imodium Multi-Symptom Relief has an extra ingredient to help relieve gas and bloating in addition to diarrhea. Each tablet contains loperamide 2 mg and simethicone 125 mg. These tablets should be taken 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal with a full glass of water.
Imodium Multi-Symptom Relief dosage for adults:
Take 2 tablets after the first loose stool. Then take 1 tablet after each next loose stool.
Don’t take more than 4 tablets in 24 hours.
What’s the typical Imodium dosage for children?
Adolescents ages 12 years and older can take the adult dosage for all Imodium products. Only some Imodium products can be given to younger children. The Imodium dosage for children under 12 is based on body weight. If you don’t know how much your child weighs, give the dosage recommended for their age.
Pay close attention to the recommended ages and instructions for each product. There’s different children’s dosing for tablets and capsules even though they contain the same amount of loperamide. The maximum amount you can give per day also varies for each age group.
Talk to your child’s healthcare provider before giving Imodium if you don’t see a dosage listed for your child’s age or weight. And never give Imodium to children younger than 2 years old. There’s a risk for serious breathing and heart problems in this age group.
Imodium A-D
Imodium A-D for children is the same as the adult version, and comes as a solution, tablet, or capsule. The solution comes packaged with a cartoon image of children on it. But it’s the same dosage and flavor as the adult Imodium A-D solution.
Below, we’ve provided the children’s dosages for each form of Imodium A-D:
Imodium A-D solution (1 mg/7.5 mL) dosages for kids
Age | Weight | Dosage | Maximum daily dose |
12 and older | Any body weight | Take 30 mL (4 mg) after the first loose stool. Then take 15 mL (2 mg) after each next loose stool. | 60 mL (8 mg) |
9-11 years | 60-95 lbs | Take 15 mL (2 mg) after the first loose stool. Then take 7.5 mL (1 mg) after each next loose stool. | 45 mL (6 mg) |
6-8 years | 48-59 lbs | Take 15 mL (2 mg) after the first loose stool. Then take 7.5 mL (1 mg) after each next loose stool. | 30 mL (4 mg) |
2-5 years | 34-47 lbs | Talk to your child’s healthcare provider before giving. | N/A |
Under 2 years | Up to 33 lbs | Don’t use. | N/A |
Imodium A-D tablet (2 mg) dosages for kids
Age | Weight | Dosage | Maximum daily dose |
12 and older | Any body weight | Take 2 tablets (4 mg) after the first loose stool. Then take 1 tablet (2 mg) after each next loose stool. | 4 tablets (8 mg) |
9-11 years | 60-95 lbs | Take 1 tablet (2 mg) after the first loose stool. Then take 1/2 tablet (1 mg) after each next loose stool. | 3 tablets (6 mg) |
6-8 years | 48-59 lbs | Take 1 tablet (2 mg) after the first loose stool. Then take 1/2 tablet (1 mg) after each next loose stool. | 2 tablets (4 mg) |
2-5 years | 34-47 lbs | Talk to your child’s healthcare provider before giving. | N/A |
Under 2 years | Up to 33 lbs | Don’t use. | N/A |
Imodium A-D capsule (2 mg) dosages for kids
Age | Dosage | Maximum daily dose |
12 and older | Take 2 capsules (4 mg) after the first loose stool. Then take 1 capsule (2 mg) after each next loose stool. | 4 capsules (8 mg) |
Under 12 years | Don’t use. | N/A |
Imodium Multi-Symptom Relief
Imodium Multi-Symptom Relief for kids is the same tablet that adults can take. Each tablet contains 2 mg of loperamide and 125 mg of simethicone. Tablets should be taken 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal with a full glass of water.
The children’s Imodium Multi-Symptom Relief dosages are as follows:
Age | Weight | Dosage | Maximum daily dose |
12 and older | Any body weight | Take 2 tablets (4 mg/250 mg) after the first loose stool. Then take 1 tablet (2 mg/125 mg) after each next loose stool. | 4 tablets (8 mg/500 mg) |
9-11 years | 60-95 lbs | Take 1 tablet (2 mg/125 mg) after the first loose stool. Then take 1/2 tablet (1 mg/62.5 mg) after each next loose stool. | 3 tablets (6 mg/375 mg) |
6-8 years | 48-59 lbs | Take 1 tablet (2 mg) after the first loose stool. Then take 1/2 tablet (1 mg/62.5 mg) after each next loose stool. | 2 tablets (4 mg/250 mg) |
2-5 years | 34-47 lbs | Talk to your child’s healthcare provider before giving. | N/A |
Under 2 years | Up to 33 lbs | Don’t use. | N/A |
Are there any dosage adjustments for medical conditions?
For Imodium, there generally aren’t any dosage adjustments needed for health conditions. But it’s important to know when it’s time to see a healthcare provider about your diarrhea. Be sure to drink plenty of clear fluids to stay hydrated. And try sticking to bland foods that are easier on the stomach.
And if you have any of the following symptoms, call your provider:
Diarrhea that doesn’t get better after 2 days
6 or more loose stools in 24 hours
Severe abdominal or rectal pain
High fevers (102°F or above)
Mucus, blood, or pus in your stool
Frequent vomiting
Black, tarry stools
Dehydration symptoms, like dark-colored urine
What happens if you miss a dose of Imodium?
Imodium is generally taken when needed, so you shouldn’t have to worry about missed doses. Only take Imodium if you’re having diarrhea. And only take additional doses if you keep having diarrhea. If you don’t have any more loose stools after your first dose, there’s no need to take more Imodium.
What should you do if you take too much Imodium?
Taking too much Imodium can be dangerous. In large amounts, it can cause heart problems like abnormal heartbeats (arrhythmias). These can be fatal if not treated quickly by a healthcare provider.
It’s important to follow the recommended Imodium dosages listed on the package. If you suspect that you or someone you know has taken too much Imodium, contact a healthcare provider or Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 as soon as you can. If symptoms seem severe, call 911 or seek immediate medical help.
How to save on Imodium
There are many ways to save on Imodium, which is available as both a brand-name and generic medication. By having your healthcare provider write a prescription for OTC Imodium, GoodRx can help you save over 50% off the average retail price. Generic Imodium's price at certain pharmacies is as low as $6.15 with a free GoodRx discount.
The bottom line
Imodium can help treat diarrhea in adults and children. The typical adult dosage is 4 mg after the first loose stool, and 2 mg after each additional loose stool. Children’s Imodium dosages vary by age and body weight. Stay safe by only taking up to the maximum daily dose listed on the package. Check in with your healthcare provider if you have symptoms like vomiting or high fever, or if you need to use Imodium for longer than 2 days at a time.
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References
DailyMed. (2021). Imodium A-D- loperamide hydrochloride tablet, film coated.
DailyMed. (2022). Imodium A-D- loperamide hydrochloride capsule, liquid filled.
DailyMed. (2022). Imodium A-D- loperamide hydrochloride solution.
DailyMed. (2022). Imodium multi-symptom relief- loperamide hydrochloride and dimethicone tablet.
MedlinePlus. (2018). Loperamide.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. (2016). Symptoms & causes of diarrhea.
Sahi, N., et al. (2022). Loperamide. StatPearls.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2022). FDA drug safety podcast: FDA warns about serious heart problems with high doses of the antidiarrheal medicine loperamide (Imodium), including from abuse and misuse.
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