Loperamide Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Warnings
Loperamide is also known as: Anti-Diarrheal, Diamode, Diar-Aid, Imodium, Imodium A-D, Imotil, Kao-Paverin, Kaopectate 1-D, Kaopectate II, Neo-Diaral, Pepto Diarrhea Control, Up and Up Anti-Diarrheal Solution
Loperamide Pregnancy Warnings
Loperamide has been assigned to pregnancy category C by the FDA. Animal studies failed to reveal evidence of teratogenicity or fetal harm. There are no controlled data in human pregnancy. Loperamide should only be given during pregnancy if the potential benefits outweighs the risks.
Loperamide Breastfeeding Warnings
Loperamide is excreted into human milk in small amounts. The effects in the nursing infant are unknown. According to the manufacturer, administration of loperamide during lactation is not recommended.
In one study, loperamide was detected in the milk of six healthy puerperal women given loperamide oxide 4 mg orally every 12 hours for 2 doses. Mean loperamide milk (serum) concentrations ranged from 0.18 (0.36) ng/mL immediately prior to the second dose to 0.27 (0.73) ng/mL and 0.19 (0.54) ng/mL six and 24 hours after the second dose, respectively. The authors estimated that if an infant drank 165 mL/kg/day, the ingested dose of loperamide would be 2000 times less than the usual therapeutic dose of 0.2 mg/kg/day. The infants did not breast-feed in this study.
See Also...
- Loperamide use while Breastfeeding (in more detail)
- loperamide Consumer Information
- Pregnancy Support Group
- FDA Pregnancy Categories
- Medicine use during Pregnancy
- Medicine use while Breastfeeding
- Safe Medications during Breastfeeding
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