Stoperan – action, dosage, contraindications, side effects

Proven content

Stoperan is a preparation recommended for the treatment of symptoms of acute diarrhea, chronic diarrhea in inflammatory bowel diseases, gastrointestinal dysfunction and irritable bowel syndrome. The preparation is an agent that inhibits gastrointestinal peristalsis. The drug is in the form of capsules and is available without a prescription.

Stopoperan – characteristics

Stopperan (US Pharmacia)

Substances: the active ingredient is loperamide.

Excipients of the drug Stoperan: lactose monohydrate, corn starch, talc, magnesium, stearate, gelatin capsule composition: gelatin, erythrosine, patent blue, titanium dioxide, quinoline yellow.

important: Before using Stoperan, always read the package leaflet very carefully, because it contains important information for the patient. Stopoperan should be used as recommended in the leaflet or according to the strict instructions given by your doctor or pharmacist. Don’t throw away the flyer.

1. if the patient wants to obtain additional information about the preparation, he should ask the pharmacist;
2. if the patient experiences any side effects (especially those mentioned in the leaflet), it is necessary to inform the doctor or pharmacist about it;
3. if there is no improvement after two days of taking Stoperan, consult your doctor.

Stopoperan – action

Stoperan is an anti-diarrheal drug containing loperamide, which stops bowel movements and increases water absorption. As a result, chyme moves more slowly through the intestines, and the frequency and number of stools pass is reduced. Moreover, water is also reabsorbed in the large intestine.

Stoperan is a drug for adults and children over 6 years of age. It can be used in the treatment of acute, chronic diarrhea as well as in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease. If, after two days of taking the drug, there is no improvement in health or the patient feels even worse, a visit to the doctor will be advised. The Stoperan capsule consists of a blue and a gray part containing a white powder.

Stoperan – indications and dosage

Stoperan is a product recommended:

1. in relieving the symptoms of acute diarrhea,
2. symptomatic treatment of chronic diarrhea in inflammatory bowel diseases, digestive tract disorders and irritable bowel syndrome.

Dosage of the drug Stoperan

Stoperan is in the form of tablets to be taken orally. Do not exceed the recommended dose of the preparation as it may pose a threat to your life or health. In case of any doubts, it is recommended to consult a doctor.

Acceptance for symptomatic treatment of acute diarrhea.

1. Adults and children over 12 years of age. 4 mg, then 2 mg after each loose bowel movement, max. 16 mg / day.
2. Children 6-12. age. 2 mg after each loose bowel movement, max. 6 mg / day.

Acceptance for the symptomatic treatment of chronic diarrhea in inflammatory bowel diseases, disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, irritable bowel syndrome.

1. Adults and children over 12 years of age. Initially, 2 mg twice daily, if necessary, increase the dose to 2-8 mg / day.
2. Children 9-12. age. 2 mg after each loose bowel movement, max. 6 mg / day.
3. Children 6-8. age. 2 mg after each loose bowel movement, max. 4 mg / day.

There is no need to modify the dose of Stopoperan in people who have impaired renal function and in the elderly. The diarrhea may disappear after just one dose (in which case you must not take the medicine any longer). Warning: if the effect of Stoperan is too weak or too strong, consult your doctor.

Stopoperan – management after an overdose

In the event of an overdose of Stoperan, the following may occur:

1. urinary retention;
2. bowel obstruction;
3. constipation;
4. increased muscle tone;
5. confusion;
6. stupor;
7. somnolence;
8. apnea;
9. constriction of the pupils;
10. impaired neuromuscular coordination.

What to do after an overdose?

If we overdose on Stoperan, we should immediately contact a doctor or pharmacist. If the overdose is accompanied by the above-mentioned symptoms, your doctor will give you the antidote naloxone. Unfortunately, the effect of Stoperan is longer than that of naloxone, so it happens that a second dose is needed. A person who has overdosed on the drug should be under medical supervision for a minimum of 48 hours to detect any inhibition of the central nervous system.

Stoperan – contraindications for taking

There are the following contraindications to taking Stoperan:

1. allergy to any component of the preparation;
2. situations in which it is undesirable to slow down intestinal peristalsis (there is a risk of severe complications, such as intestinal obstruction or giant colon. If constipation or flatulence occurs, stop taking the drug immediately);
3. bowel obstruction;
4. acute ulcerative colitis;
5. acute episode of hemorrhagic colitis;
6. pseudomembranous enteritis (especially associated with the intake of broad-spectrum antibiotics);
7. acute dysentery with blood in the stool and fever;
8. bacterial enteritis and colitis caused by bacteria: Salmonella, Campylobacter i Shigella;
9. for use by children up to 6 years of age.

Stopoperan – warnings about the preparation

1. Seek medical attention if severe diarrhea does not improve within 48 hours.
2. Caution should be exercised when treating bacterial diarrhea.
3. Before starting the treatment with Stoperane, find the cause of diarrhea, if it is accompanied by fever or blood in the stool.
4. In the event of constipation, flatulence and intestinal obstruction, stop taking Stoperan.
5. Patients (especially children) should be supplemented with water and mineral salts during treatment with the preparation, because dehydration may occur.
6. Patients with hepatic impairment should consult a physician before taking the drug. In such people, the drug should be used with caution, because there is a risk of toxic effects of Stoperan on the central nervous system.
7. Patients with intolerance to certain sugars should consult a doctor before using the preparation, because Stoperan contains lactose.
8. It is not recommended to take Stoperan in women in the first trimester of pregnancy. In the second and third trimesters of pregnancy or during breastfeeding, a doctor should be consulted before taking. In addition, you should only take the medicine if your doctor determines that the benefit of taking the medicine outweighs the potential risk to your baby.
9. The drug may cause side effects such as dizziness, tiredness and sleepiness. In this case, people driving motor vehicles should exercise extreme caution.
10. The use of Stopoperan in people with AIDS treated for diarrhea should be discontinued when the early symptoms of abdominal distension appear.
11. Occasional cases of toxic dilatation of the colon have been reported while taking the drug in patients with AIDS and concomitant infectious colitis caused by bacteria and viruses.
12. Stoperan should be kept at a temperature below 25 degrees Celsius, out of the sight and reach of children.
13. Do not use the preparation when the expiry date stated on the package has passed.

Stoperan – interactions with other drugs

Always inform your doctor about all medications you are taking (now or recently), including over-the-counter medications and medications you plan to take.

1. The simultaneous use of loperamide contained in Stoperan (16 mg in a single donor) together with quinidine, which is taken in cardiac arrhythmias, or ritonavir (administered in HIV-infected), which are P-glycoprotein inhibitors – leads to increased plasma levels of Stoperan.

The clinical significance of these interactions is unknown.

Stopoperan and alcohol and food

Stoperan should be washed down with water, moreover, it can be taken without any problems on an empty stomach or after a meal. The risk of drug interaction with alcohol is negligible, as Stoperan, when used in doses recommended in diarrhea, does not penetrate into the central nervous system.

Stoperan – side effects

While taking Stoperan, the following may appear:

1. dizziness,
2. somnolence,
3. fatigue,
4. flatulence
5. bowel obstruction,
6. constipation
7. vomiting,
8. hives
9. itching
10. rash,
11. abdominal pain,
12. dry mouth
13. toxic colon dilatation,
14. angioedema
15. anaphylactic shock (an allergic reaction with difficulty breathing, dizziness and swelling of the face or throat)
16. Stevens-Johnson syndrome (epidermal detachment)
17. erythema multiforme (a skin disease)
18. an anaphylaxis-like reaction
19. urinary retention.

Some side effects resulting from the use of Stoperan may resemble the symptoms of diarrhea syndrome, e.g. abdominal pain, vomiting, nausea, fatigue and flatulence. Therefore, it is often difficult to distinguish the side effects of drugs from the symptoms of the disease. Some patients may experience other side effects while taking Stoperan.