What is loperamide (generic for Imodium)?
Loperamide is an over-the-counter medication used to treat diarrhea, including traveler’s diarrhea and diarrhea caused by inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It works by slowing down the amount of fluid and electrolytes going into the bowel, and also slows down the movement of the bowel in order to reduce the number of bowel movements. It is also used in prescription form to decrease fluid buildup in people with ileostomies (a surgery where an opening is creased in the abdomen for waste to leave the body).
Loperamide is available in its generic form and under the brand names Imodium, Diamode, Imogen, Imotil, Imperim, Kaodene, and Kao-Paverin. It is available in the form of a capsule, tablet, and liquid.