loperamide / simethicone
Imodium Multi-Symptom Relief is a combination medication that contains loperamide and simethicone. It's used to relieve symptoms of diarrhea and bloating and cramps from gas. Loperamide is an antidiarrheal medication, while simethicone helps ease gassiness (flatulence). Imodium Multi-Symptom Relief can be used for people over the age of 6. In general, you can take a tablet after each loose stool (up until the maximum daily dose). Imodium Multi-Symptom Relief is found over the counter as brand-name and generic versions. Side effects aren't common but can include tiredness and dizziness.
What is Imodium Multi-Symptom Relief?
What is Imodium Multi-Symptom Relief used for?
How Imodium Multi-Symptom Relief works
Imodium Multi-Symptom Relief is a combination of two medications.
Loperamide is an antidiarrheal medication. It works on the muscles of your intestines (gut) to slow down bowel movements. Loperamide also lessens the amount of fluid that enters your gut. This gives you more time between bowel movements and time to form stools.
Simethicone is an antiflatulent medication. It helps gas bubbles come together and pass more easily through flatulence (gas) or burping.
Drug Facts
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What are the side effects of Imodium Multi-Symptom Relief?
Common Side Effects
- Tiredness
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
Serious Side Effects
- Stomach swelling or bulging
Source: DailyMed
The following side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Heart rhythm changes—fast or irregular heartbeat, dizziness, feeling faint or lightheaded, chest pain, trouble breathing
- Redness, blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth
- Severe stomach pain
- Trouble passing urine
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
- Bloating
- Blurry vision
- Constipation
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Dry mouth
- Gas
- Nausea
- Vomiting
Pros and cons of Imodium Multi-Symptom Relief
Pros
Tackles both symptoms of diarrhea and gas at the same time
Available over the counter as a lower-cost generic
Can use in children over 6 years old
Cons
Only available as a tablet taken by mouth
Doesn't treat the cause of diarrhea or gas, only the symptoms
Not meant for long-term use
Pharmacist tips for Imodium Multi-Symptom Relief
Take Imodium Multi-Symptom Relief on an empty stomach (1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal) after loose stools. Be sure to take the medication with a full glass of water.
Keep track of how many tablets of Imodium Multi-Symptom Relief you've taken so you don't go over the maximum amount in a 24-hour period. Be sure you know how much medication you can take per day; you can find this information in the directions section on the packaging.
Imodium Multi-Symptom Relief might cause dizziness, drowsiness, or tiredness. Don't drive, operate machinery, or do anything that requires you to focus until you know how the medication affects you.
Drink plenty of clear liquids while you're treating your diarrhea with Imodium Multi-Symptom Relief. Having diarrhea can make you dehydrated.
Stop taking Imodium Multi-Symptom Relief and contact a healthcare professional (HCP) if you have a fever, mucus in your stool, stomach swelling, or black or bloody stools. Also contact an HCP if your symptoms get worse or if your diarrhea lasts for more than 2 days. These can be signs of a more serious condition that you need other treatment for.
Ask an HCP whether taking Imodium Multi-Symptom Relief is safe for you if you have trouble swallowing or conditions affecting your heart rhythm. This medication can raise the risk for serious heart rhythm problems, especially if you take more than what's recommended.
Ask an HCP before you take Imodium Multi-Symptom Relief if you have liver problems. The liver helps break down and get rid of the medication from your body. When the liver doesn't work as well as it should (like with liver problems), the medication can build up in your body and reach higher levels. This can lead to serious side effects.
Ask an HCP about options for treating your child's diarrhea, especially if your child is younger than 6 years old. Imodium Multi-Symptom Relief contains loperamide, which might cause serious side effects, such as sleepiness and low energy, in young children. Don't give this medication to children age 2 or younger.
Frequently asked questions about Imodium Multi-Symptom Relief
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What are the risks and warnings for Imodium Multi-Symptom Relief?
Imodium Multi-Symptom Relief can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Risk for serious heart problems
Risk factors: History of heart rhythm problems | Taking higher than recommended doses of Imodium Multi-Symptom Relief or loperamide | Misuse of Imodium Multi-Symptom Relief
There have been some reported cases of serious and sometimes life-threatening heart problems, like abnormal heart rhythm, when people took more than the recommended doses of Imodium Multi-Symptom Relief or other products containing loperamide. Be sure to take Imodium Multi-Symptom Relief as directed.
Imodium Multi-Symptom Relief dosage forms
| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2mg/125mg | 24 tablets | $13.19 | $0.55 |
Typical dosing for Imodium Multi-Symptom Relief
Each tablet contains 2 mg of loperamide and 125 mg of simethicone. This medication works best if you take it on an empty stomach (1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal).
Adults and children 12 years and older: The typical dose is 2 tablets by mouth after the first loose stool, then 1 tablet after each additional loose stool. Don't take more than 4 tablets in a 24-hour period.
Children 9 to 11 years old (60 lbs to 95 lbs): The typical dose is 1 tablet by mouth after the first loose stool, then one-half of a tablet after each additional loose stool. Don't take more than 3 tablets in a 24-hour period.
Children 6 to 8 years old (48 lbs to 59 lbs): The typical dose is 1 tablet by mouth after the first loose stool, then one-half of a tablet after each additional loose stool. Don't take more than 2 tablets in a 24-hour period.
Children 2 to 5 years old (34 lbs to 47 lbs): Ask your child's pediatrician.
Children 2 years and younger (up to 33 lbs): Don't use.
How much does Imodium Multi-Symptom Relief cost?
Imodium Multi-Symptom Relief contraindications
Bloody or black stool
Difficulty swallowing
Allergy to loperamide
Children younger than 2 years old
What are alternatives to Imodium Multi-Symptom Relief?
Symptoms of upset stomach (e.g., heartburn, indigestion, nausea, gas, belching (burping), fullness)
What is the latest news about Imodium Multi-Symptom Relief?
Imodium Multi-Symptom Relief images
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References
Best studies we foundBaker, D. E. (2007). Loperamide: A pharmacological review. Reviews in Gastroenterological Disorders.
Black, R. A., et al. (2003). Over-the-counter medications in pregnancy. American Family Physician.
Ingold, C. J., et al. (2023). Simethicone. StatPearls.
Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc. (2024). Imodium Multi-Symptom Relief- loperamide hydrochloride and dimethicone tablet [package insert]. DailyMed.
Regnard, C., et al. (2011). Loperamide. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2018). FDA Drug Safety Communication: FDA warns about serious heart problems with high doses of the antidiarrheal medicine loperamide (Imodium), including from abuse and misuse.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2019). FDA limits packaging for anti-diarrhea medicine loperamide (Imodium) to encourage safe use.
Vandenbossche, J., et al. (2010). Loperamide and P-glycoprotein inhibition: Assessment of the clinical relevance. Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology.
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