Loperamide dosage

Despite an intensive research effort over the past two decades involving many innovative approaches in the global academic community and by the pharmaceutical industry, the latter representing an aggregate investment in excess of 2.5 billion, the only new opioid-based pain medications either in clinical development or on the market are alternative dosage forms of the classical opioids, morphine, loperamide, and fentanyl, or compounds such as tramadol. ... 

Dosages and routes of administration Loperamide is used in various oral formulations with single doses of 4-8 mg and daily doses up to 16 mg. 

Herbal medicines or teas often contain senna, which may produce diarrhea. In patients with disease persistence following dietary modification, loperamide may be used for episodic management of urgent diarrhea, or in situations in which the patient wishes to avoid the possibility of an acute onset of symptoms. This drug decreases intestinal transit, enhances water and electrolyte absorption, and strengthens rectal sphincter tone. Some patients may require continuous therapy, and careful dosage titration can usually be undertaken to prevent the development of constipation. Cholestyramine may be useful in patients with diarrhea related to idiopathic bile acid malabsorption or following cholecystectomy. ... 

In general, loperamide is unlikely to be abused parenter-ally because of its low solubility large doses of loperamide given to human volunteers do not elicit pleasurable effects typical of opioids. The usual dosage is 4 to 8 mg/day the daily dose should not exceed 16 mg. 

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