Drug reactions and interactions

Abstract

Loperamide is an antimotility agent which inhibits peristalsis and has been used in the treatment of some diarrhoea. Its use is controversial in acute infective diarrhoea since in slowing the motility of the gut it may delay the elimination of the causative organisms. Especially its use is not recommended in the treatment of acute diarrhoea in children particularly because of doubts about its safety. Respiratory depression and coma may occur after overdosage; however, a new aspect of its toxicity has been the report by Minton and Smiths from the National Poisons Unit, Guy's Hospital, London and the Department of Paediatrics, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, U.K. of serious toxity in a child after a single dose of loperamide.