Overview Introduction Lopide Capsule is used in the treatment of diarrhea. It should not be used in patients with dysentery (diarrhea with blood). Lopide Capsule is taken with or without food in a dose and duration as advised by the doctor. You should keep taking this medicine for as long as your doctor recommends. If you stop treatment too early your symptoms may come back and your condition may worsen. Let your doctor know about all other medications you are taking as some may affect, or be affected by this medicine. The most common side effects are headache, nausea, and constipation. Most of these are temporary and usually resolve with time. Contact your doctor straight away if you are at all concerned about any of these side effects. It may also cause dizziness, so do not drive or do anything that requires mental focus until you know how this medicine affects you. Avoid drinking alcohol while taking this medicine as it can worsen your sleepiness. Diarrhea can cause water loss and electrolyte imbalance, so drink plenty of fluids to help keep yourself hydrated. It is important to avoid this medicine if you have blood in your stool or if you are severely constipated. Uses of Lopide Capsule Diarrhea Side effects of Lopide Capsule Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them Common side effects of Lopide Constipation Nausea Headache Stomach pain How to cope with side effects? The occurrence of side effects varies from person to person. The following are a few ways of dealing with some of the common side effects. However, consult your doctor if these persist. Coping with Constipation Try to eat foods which are high in fiber such as fresh fruits, vegetables and cereals to increase the bulk and consistency of bowel movements. Drink plenty of water or non-alcoholic drinks and stay hydrated to promote healthy digestion. Increasing physical activities such as walking, yoga and regular exercise can also be helpful. If your condition does not improve, you can ask your doctor to prescribe you laxative medicine. Coping with Nausea You can help yourself by eating small, frequent meals rather than large ones and drinking plenty of fluids. Eat slowly. Avoid fatty, fried, spicy and very sweet foods. Eat cold or slightly warm food if the smell of cooked or cooking food makes you feel sick. Get plenty of fresh air. You could also try chewing ginger or drinking ginger tea. Eat bananas to replace potassium in your blood which can drop if you are sick (vomit). Use oral rehydration salts to replace vitamins and minerals lost through being sick. There are some medicines that can help you stop from feeling sick. Speak to your doctor if your condition does not improve. Coping with Headache Make sure you rest and drink plenty of fluids. Rest in a quiet, dimly lit room. Do not sleep more than you normally would. Do not strain your eyes (for example by looking at a screen). Do not drink alcohol. Headaches are usually temporary and usually go away with time. But, if they last longer or get worse, ask your doctor to recommend a painkiller. Coping with Stomach pain Try to get plenty of rest and relax. Putting a heat pad or covered hot water bottle on your stomach may relieve the stomach pain. It may help if you eat and drink slowly and have smaller and more frequent meals. Reduce your intake of coffee, tea and alcohol as these can make the pain worse. If you are in a lot of pain, speak to your doctor about possible medication. Your doctor may be able to prescribe some over-the-counter medicines to help reduce the pain. show more show less How to use Lopide Capsule Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Do not chew, crush or break it. Lopide Capsule may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time. How Lopide Capsule works Lopide Capsule is an anti-diarrhoeal medication. It works by slowing down the contraction of the intestines thereby decreasing the speed at which the contents pass through it. This allows more time for reabsorption of fluids and nutrients, making the stools more solid and less frequent. Safety Advice Alcohol UNSAFE Lopide Capsule may cause excessive drowsiness with alcohol. Pregnancy CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR Lopide Capsule may be unsafe to use during pregnancy. Although there are limited studies in humans, animal studies have shown harmful effects on the developing baby. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing it to you. Please consult your doctor. Breastfeeding SAFE IF PRESCRIBED Lopide Capsule is safe to use during breastfeeding. Human studies suggest that the drug does not pass into the breastmilk in a significant amount and is not harmful to the baby. Driving UNSAFE Lopide Capsule may decrease alertness, affect your vision or make you feel sleepy and dizzy. Do not drive if these symptoms occur. Kidney SAFE IF PRESCRIBED Lopide Capsule is safe to use in patients with kidney disease. No dose adjustment of Lopide Capsule is recommended. However, inform your doctor if you have any underlying kidney disease. Liver CAUTION Lopide Capsule should be used with caution in patients with liver disease. Dose adjustment of Lopide Capsule may be needed. Please consult your doctor.
