• If you are allergic to anything, including medicines, dyes, additives, or foods.

• If your diarrhea is from an infection such as salmonella, shigella, or is related to taking antibiotics. Loperamide can make them worse or make the diarrhea last longer.

• If you have fever, blood or mucus in your stools, ulcerative colitis, or stools that look like black tar. You may have a more serious problem than diarrhea, and this medicine could make it worse.

• If you have liver problems. Loperamide can build up in your body and reach unsafe levels.

• If you have had abdominal pain or any disorder involving slowed or blocked intestines, such as paralytic ileus. Loperamid can worsen this problem.

• If you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or if there is any chance of pregnancy. Studies in rats showed slower growth and poorer survival in offspring. Studies have not been done in pregnant women.

• If you are breast-feeding. Loperamide may pass into breast milk and affect the baby.

• About any other prescription or over-the-counter medicines you are taking, including vitamins and herbs. In fact, keeping a written list of each of these medicines (including the doses of each and when you take them) with you in case of emergency may help prevent complications if you get sick.

Alcohol and opioid pain medicines can increase your risk of drowsiness and constipation if taken with loperamide.

Loperamide can reduce the amount of saquinavir (a drug for HIV infection) in your blood.

Check with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist about whether other medicines, vitamins, herbs, and supplements can cause problems with this medicine.

Loperamide is also available in tablet and liquid form without a prescription. Take this drug exactly as prescribed by your doctor, or follow the directions on the label.

If you have any questions or do not understand the instructions, talk to your doctor or nurse. Store the medicine in a tightly closed container away from heat and moisture and out of the reach of children and pets. If you're storing the liquid form in a cool place, do not allow it to freeze.

This medicine can cause drowsiness and lightheadedness. Do not drive, operate machinery, or perform other activities that require alertness until you know how you react to this medicine.

Call your doctor or nurse if you notice bloating, constipation, stomach pain or cramping, nausea or vomiting, loss of appetite.

To help decrease the diarrhea, try to eat small, frequent meals that are warm or at room temperature. Try to avoid foods that cause gas (such as broccoli or beans), fatty foods (such as bacon or cheeses), citrus fruits and juices. Avoid high lactose-foods (such as milk or ice cream) if they upset your stomach or make diarrhea worse. Instead eat foods high in sodium and potassium (such as soups or sports drinks), and foods high in soluble fiber (such as rice or bananas). Stay away from foods high in insoluble fiber (such as cereal or nuts). To add calories without worsening diarrhea, dilute fruit juice with water.

This drug is often prescribed to patients who have diarrhea from irinotecan chemotherapy. If you're still having diarrhea after 48 hours, call your doctor or nurse.

If you think you or someone else may have taken an overdose, get emergency help right away. Symptoms of overdose may include sleepiness, confusion, extreme dizziness, severe weakness, or slow or irregular breathing.

• nausea

• vomiting
• abdominal pain*
• drowsiness*
• dizziness
• tiredness (fatigue)
• dry mouth

• rash
• constipation*
• bloated belly*
• allergic reaction with hives (skin welts), itching, wheezing, trouble breathing or swallowing, sudden severe dizziness

*See "Precautions" section for more detailed information.