NCLEX Quiz # 984

NCLEX Examination.

Practice Question # 984.

Loperamide

Trade Name: generic, Imodium ®

Drug Class: Antidiarrheal, Opioid Agonist (OTC, non-prescription)

Mechanism of Action:

• Opioid agonist
• Does not cross the blood-brain barrier, has no analgesic or addictive properties)
• inhibits the release of acetylcholine and prostaglandins, thereby reducing peristalsis, and increasing intestinal transit time, which also favorably affects water and electrolyte movement through the bowel.
• increases the tone of the anal sphincter, reducing incontinence and urgency.

Indications:

• Mild to moderate diarrhea
• Diarrhea associated with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
• Off label1): Irritable Bowel Syndrome with predominant diarrhea (IBS-D)
• NOTE: loperamide has been evaluated in three small controlled trials. Loperamide was found to be more effective than placebo for decreasing stool frequency & consistency in IBS-D, but was not effective for other symptoms such as bloating, abdominal discomfort, or global IBS symptoms .

Pharmacokinetics:

• Does not cross the blood brain barrier

Side Effects:

• Has no analgesic effects & no potential for addiction