Lomotil vs. Imodium

• Are Lomotil and Imodium the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Lomotil?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Imodium?
• What is Lomotil?
• What is Imodium?
• What Drugs Interact with Lomotil?
• What Drugs Interact with Imodium?
• How Should Lomotil Be Taken?
• How Should Imodium Be Taken?

Lomotil (diphenoxylate and atropine) and Imodium (loperamide hydrochloride) are antidiarrheal medications used to treat diarrhea.

Lomotil also contains an anticholinergic.

Imodium is also used to reduce the amount of stool in people who have an ileostomy (re-routing of the bowel through a surgical opening in the stomach).

Imodium is available in generic form and over-the-counter (OTC).

Common side effects of Lomotil include:

• drowsiness,
• dizziness,
• headache,
• tiredness,
• restlessness,
• blurred vision,
• dry mouth,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• upset stomach,
• loss of appetite,
• skin rash, or
• itching.

Tell your doctor if you experience unlikely but serious side effects of Lomotil including:

• stomach or abdominal pain or swelling,
• severe nausea or vomiting,
• mental/mood changes (e.g., confusion, depression), or
• numbness and tingling of arms or legs.

Common side effects of Imodium include:

• dizziness,
• drowsiness,
• tiredness,
• constipation,
• stomach pain,
• skin rash, or
• itching.

Tell your doctor if you experience serious side effects of Imodium including

• severe constipation/nausea/vomiting,
• stomach or abdominal pain, or
• uncomfortable fullness of the stomach or abdomen.

Lomotil (diphenoxylate and atropine) is a combination antidiarrheal medication, and an anticholinergic used to treat diarrhea.

Imodium (loperamide hydrochloride) is an antidiarrheal used to treat diarrhea. Imodium is also used to reduce the amount of stool in people who have an ileostomy (re-routing of the bowel through a surgical opening in the stomach). Imodium is available in generic form and over-the-counter (OTC).

Lomotil may interact with barbiturates or MAO inhibitors. Lomotil may interact with other drugs. Tell your doctor all prescription and over-the-counter medications and supplements you use.

Imodium may interact with saquinavir (Invirase). Other drugs may interact with Imodium. Tell your doctor all prescription and over-the-counter medications and supplements you use.

The recommended initial adult dosage is two Lomotil tablets four times daily or 10 ml (two regular tsp) of Lomotil liquid four times daily (20 mg per day). The pediatric dose is determined by the child's weight.

The recommended initial adult dose of Imodium is 4mg (two capsules) followed by 2 mg (one capsule) after each unformed stool. Daily dose should not exceed 16mg (eight capsules). In children 2 to 5 years of age (20 kg or less), the non-prescription liquid formulation Imodium A-D Liquid 1 mg/5 mL should be used; for ages 6 to 12, either capsules or A-D Liquid may be used.