Loperamide – wk 2
Expected Pharmacological Action Therapeutic Use
-Activate opioid receptors in the GI tract to -To control and relieve the symptoms of acute diarrhea
decrease intestinal motility and to increase the -To treat chronic diarrhea in patients with inflammatory bowel disease
absorption of fluid and sodium in the intestines -Helps stop diarrhea by slowing down the movements of the
intestines.
-Used to decrease the amount of drainage in patients who have
ileostomies.
Complications Medication Administration
-Bloating, constipation, loss of appetite, nausea, stomach
pain, vomiting
-torsades de pointes, ventricular arrhythmias
-Dizziness, drowsiness, fatigue
Contraindications/Precautions Nursing Interventions
-Increased risk of megacolon in clients who have inflammatory bowel
disorders, which can lead to perforation of the bowel.
-Pregnancy Risk Category C
-Use caution with clients with HIV or AIDS- may have worsen side effects
-Use caution with clients with liver disease- increased side effects due to
slower drug metabolism -Assess frequency and consistency
-Clients with stomach or bowel problems should not take this medication of stools and bowel sounds prior and
during medication therapy
-Monitor fluid and electrolyte
balance, and monitor for signs of
Interactions dehydration
-Notify physician immediately if the
-ETOH and other CNS depressants can enhance CNS depression client with ulcerative colitis develops
-Gemfibrozil- increased risk for side effects abdominal distention or other GI
-Monoamine oxidase inhibitor- increase the risk for hypertensive Client Education
symptoms
crisis
-Cimetidine, erythromycin, quinine- increase risk of cardiac
Evaluation of Medication Effectiveness
arrhythmias
-Decrease in diarrhea, if no improvement within 48 hours,
discontinue medication
Expected Pharmacological Action Therapeutic Use
-Activate opioid receptors in the GI tract to -To control and relieve the symptoms of acute diarrhea
decrease intestinal motility and to increase the -To treat chronic diarrhea in patients with inflammatory bowel disease
absorption of fluid and sodium in the intestines -Helps stop diarrhea by slowing down the movements of the
intestines.
-Used to decrease the amount of drainage in patients who have
ileostomies.
Complications Medication Administration
-Bloating, constipation, loss of appetite, nausea, stomach
pain, vomiting
-torsades de pointes, ventricular arrhythmias
-Dizziness, drowsiness, fatigue
Contraindications/Precautions Nursing Interventions
-Increased risk of megacolon in clients who have inflammatory bowel
disorders, which can lead to perforation of the bowel.
-Pregnancy Risk Category C
-Use caution with clients with HIV or AIDS- may have worsen side effects
-Use caution with clients with liver disease- increased side effects due to
slower drug metabolism -Assess frequency and consistency
-Clients with stomach or bowel problems should not take this medication of stools and bowel sounds prior and
during medication therapy
-Monitor fluid and electrolyte
balance, and monitor for signs of
Interactions dehydration
-Notify physician immediately if the
-ETOH and other CNS depressants can enhance CNS depression client with ulcerative colitis develops
-Gemfibrozil- increased risk for side effects abdominal distention or other GI
-Monoamine oxidase inhibitor- increase the risk for hypertensive Client Education
symptoms
crisis
-Cimetidine, erythromycin, quinine- increase risk of cardiac
Evaluation of Medication Effectiveness
arrhythmias
-Decrease in diarrhea, if no improvement within 48 hours,
discontinue medication
