Loperamide

Category: pharmacological

Aliases: Imodium

Pharmacological Mechanism

Peripheral µ-opioid agonist — slows gut motility via enteric neurons; P-glycoprotein efflux at the BBB keeps CNS exposure minimal at therapeutic doses. Abused at megadoses for euphoria — cardiotoxicity (QT, torsades) emerged as the predominant overdose harm.

Half-Life (t½)

PO: 11.4h

Dosing Guidelines

• PO: Typical 4mg (Range: 2 - 16 mg)

Target Organ Systems

• nervous
• digestive