Diarrhea is one of the health conditions that are not only common to encounter but also drains out all the energy of an individual. In such a situation, Imodium which is also known as loperamide is one of the go-to relief providers or medicines found in pharmacies. But have you ever thought about exactly “how long does Imodium take to work to make the digestive system normal again?”. If yes, then you are at the right post as here, we have all the answers related to the different aspects of Imodium, which will briefly share the details.
How does Imodium work?
Diarrhea is a digestive issue in which the small intestine or colon of an individual becomes extremely irritated and leads to fastening up the intestine’s movement. Moreover, due to this, the salt and fluid start passing through the intestine in a fast and quick way which obstructs their absorption and results in runny as well as frequent bowel movement.
In such a case, Imodium acts as a rescuer and works seamlessly to treat the digestive system back to normal. So, Imodium basically binds with opiate receptors and ensures the proper regulation of gut motility. It starts the treatment by slowing down the frequency of colon contraction and the movement of food in the entire digestive system.
This action results in extended time for the electrolytes, nutrients, and water in the food to be absorbed well and make the stool bulky as well as firm again. Not only that but this medication also helps in getting control over the soiling accidents as it increases the muscle tone of the area around the anal pore which deals with the excretion of stool.
How long does Imodium take to work?
The time of Imodium’s effectiveness depends on the reason for your diarrhea and the form of medication you are consuming. This medicine is not an instant relief provider as it takes at least an hour to witness the improvement in diarrhea symptoms. Moreover, to come to the most effective stage, it takes around sixteen to twenty-four hours right after taking it.
Furthermore, depending on the severity of the situation, Imodium can also take around two to four days to treat the bowel movement. Not only this but as per many sources, it is reported that an individual can get faster relief if they consume liquid Imodium instead of capsules as syrups or liquids have the tendency to reach the bloodstream quickly.
Different forms of Imodium
Just like every other medicine, Imodium has various forms which make its consumption not just easy and handy but also effective in less time. So, to know about them read the below shared points as it will also help you as a buying guide:
1. Imodium tablets
These tablets come in a set of hard or soft capsule doses. To consume this, you just need a glass of normal water and take it down with one tablet a day or as per the prescription given by your physician.
2. Imodium melting tablets
This form of Imodium medicine is also known by general names such as “Imodium instant melts”, “Imodium melts”, and “melting Imodium”. To consume this, you just need to put one melting tablet on your tongue and allow it to dissolve at a slow pace on its own. However, once you feel that it is completely dissolved, you can drink a glass of water to eliminate the aftertaste.
3. Imodium syrups
This is one of the forms of Imodium that can be bought only if you have a legitimate prescription from a healthcare provider. Such syrups are usually labeled with a 1mg or 5 ml dose. The regular dosage of Imodium syrup is four spoons of 5ml each or a 20 ml of measuring cap that comes with the bottle. Moreover, make sure to buy the right measurement things if you do not have one provided to you.
Note: It is suggested that you should always buy the right form of Imodium and to get assistance in choosing the best, you can either ask the pharmacist or a professional healthcare provider. Furthermore, you can also get the same medicine with the labels “antidiarrheal” and “diarrhea relief” as many pharmacies sell in-house brands of Imodium capsules.
Tips for taking Imodium
There are a few tips given by the NHS that should be followed by every individual who is on Imodium to get better and safer treatment. So, to know and follow them, read the below share points:
- Make sure to start with small doses of Imodium as high doses can make you suffer from bad constipation.
- It is suggested that an individual should not consume more than 8 mg of Imodium dose.
- If you are on a one to two mg dose, you can increase it if required but only after your doctor’s consultation.
- Drink plenty of water while dealing with diarrhea to stay hydrated as it dehydrates the body and makes the individual feel weaker.
- Make sure not to eat something so spicy and oily as it can irritate the bowel movement. Rather, switch to basic and non-acidic meals such as fruits, salads, pulses, and more.
FAQs
1. How long does Imodium last in the body?
According to several sources, it is reported that fifty percent of a single dose of Imodium takes around eleven hours to be eliminated from the body. Moreover, this medicine stays active in the system for around fifty-five hours.
2. What is the dose of Imodium capsules?
Usually, an individual is advised to take around two tablets at a time after experiencing their first loose stool. Furthermore, they are supposed to intake one more capsule after another diarrhea bowel movement. However, the maximum dose for this medicine is four capsules a day, and more than that is not good for health and is advised to be taken at any cost.
3. How long does Imodium take to work?
Imodium takes around an hour to show the improvement in diarrhea symptoms. However, the sixteen to twenty-fourth hours after taking Imodium are the highly effective stages where its chemical components kick in and treat the digestive issue.
4. What are the causes of diarrhea?
Intestinal flu, laxative abuse, malabsorption, surgery in the digestive system, food poisoning, or any disease in the intestine are some of the causes of diarrhea.
5. How does Imodium help in diarrhea?
Imodium basically binds up with the opiate receptors and slows down the colon contraction as well as the movement of food in the digestive system which helps in better absorption of minerals, water, and electrolytes. This action makes the stool firm and also gives control over the soiling accidents.
Conclusion
Above we shared a brief guide answering “How long does Imodium take to work” along with its other aspects like tips for consuming, different forms of Imodium, how it works, and so on which might have helped you in understanding this topic more effortlessly. However, it is suggested that no one should take any medicine without proper examination and prescription by a professional healthcare provider as it can also make the situation worse. I hope the page helped you enough and if you need more assistance or have any questions to ask then connect with us through the box mentioned below.
