How Many Imodium Tablets Are Safe to Take Daily?

I have 3 fistulas and an ileostomy. The fistulas are from my last surgery 4 months ago. The stoma is 8 years old. I have a high output, so I have been taking 8 Imodium a day. It has slowed the stoma by half, but not the fistulas as much. Just wanting to know, how many do you out there take a day, and is it safe? Or is there any better medication or maybe food I could try? Many thanks, Poppie, Australia.

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As soon as I saw you, I knew you were an Aussie. Hahaha... Me too. I used to take 12 to 14 Imodium a day for Crohn's disease, but I didn't have a pouch then, so I'm not sure. My ileo is high, I suppose. But number 1, if you don't want a big output, don't eat or drink. Number 2 is up to you. Someone who I chat with from here, well, we email now, said to take a lot of Panadeine Forte. I don't know if you want that either. What about a stoma nurse? I also use the ileo gel sachets from, I think, Eackon or Omnigon. They are fantastic for soaking up most of the water. I never leave home without them. What's with the fistulas? You got me worried. I had 8 operations and have some small holes, but the specialist said it hasn't gone all the way like a proper hole. Is that what happened with you? Gosh, a lot of people here have them. People will help you. They're cool in here. Good luck, catch you here maybe. See ya, Mare = mooza

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Hi Poppie - Just googled it for you ...

Chronic Diarrhea
Adults: The recommended initial dose is 4 mg (two capsules) followed  by 2 mg (one capsule) after each unformed stool until diarrhea is controlled,  after which the dosage of IMODIUM® should be reduced to meet individual  requirements. When the optimal daily dosage has been established, this amount  may then be administered as a single dose or in divided doses.
The average daily maintenance dosage in clinical trials was 4 to 8 mg (two to four capsules). A dosage of 16 mg (eight capsules) was rarely exceeded. If clinical improvement is not observed after treatment with 16 mg per day for at least 10 days, symptoms are unlikely to be controlled by further administration. IMODIUM® administration may be continued if diarrhea cannot be adequately controlled with diet or specific treatment.
Rach xxx

Hi there, I have taken Imodium for 20+ years for Crohn's disease. I asked my doctor about how much is too much. I told him I was up to 10 at least a day... Ha, he said he has patients who take far more than that just to make it to work! He feels it is not a harmful drug and the one they prescribe is the same in effectiveness. I guess it goes back to the "risk/benefit" of any drug. He also said the diarrhea was far more damaging to me in many ways than the drug. So, I take 2 as soon as I get up and 1 before I eat anything during the day. It helps quite a bit! So, I do not worry about how much I take anymore.
Hope this helps and best to you
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I'm confused ... those of you with ileostomies ... you use imodium to control output?



In my UC days, I'm sure I kept the company going

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-- but since my ileo, docs and specialists have said to control output with food. To avoid imodium ... it can contribute to blockages.



Just wondering why the differences in docs' opinions on the imodium (like they're usually all on the same page ... not ... LOL).

Stories of Living Life to the Fullest from Ostomy Advocates I Hollister

Hi there, we Canadians must have the same information because I also stay away from Imodium... now... a little too late for me.

I used to take Imodium daily to prevent me from using the bathroom while at work... before I got my bag. I have a huge anxiety issue with public bathrooms.

Well, over the years of using it... testing has shown that it may have contributed to my cancer in some way.

So... I have been working with a nutritionist, doctors, you name it, and the best food for it is... BANANAS and OATMEAL!!!!

One of each in the morning and in the evening... and what a huge difference.

Honestly... try it.

Good luck.

Hi, I can take up to 8 a day, but Imodium isn't the answer. I also take DTO (Distilled Tincture of Opium) to stop the flow. I had my ileo last January and still put out nothing but fluid.

It was my understanding that Imodium would not be effective for reducing ileo-output, that it's based on what we eat, etc.
I use Lomotil very sparingly in case of hyper output and bad diarrhea. I hate it.
I haven't bought Imodium in years, though.
The way I control my output is the good ole BRAT diet. I will add a cup of rice or 1/4 cup of applesauce or sliced bananas to every meal. No exception. People just think I'm healthy, but it's because I have no colon.
Oh yeah, I used to take Questran. I may ask to take that again. It was awesome and it's good for you.
I'm disappointed to read that the doctors said Imodium is not dangerous. It certainly is. I overdosed on Imodium and Bentyl in the mid '90s. I was lucky that the visual impairment was reversible. Be careful.

Have you had any of your small intestine removed as well? If yes, you will have a higher output than a standard ileo, and the thickening foods won't work as they do for a normal ileo. I'm from the UK; it seems our advice from doctors is different. My doctors tell me Imodium is a safe drug to take with an ileo. You can take a lot more than the recommended dose with a doctor's advice. I have a high output; I take Imodium syrup and Lomotil, take them at least 30 minutes before you eat.

I'm disappointed to read that the doctors said Imodium is not dangerous. It certainly is. I overdosed on Imodium and Bentyl in the mid '90s. I was lucky that the visual impairment was reversible. Be careful.[/quote]





Crikey ~ There wasn't much on the net about the above side effects when I looked for Poppie..... It is available over the counter in the UK - and I know a child who has been on it for years because of bowel problems..... What sort of dosage were you taking to get that awful side effect??

Horrified!

Rach xx

Hi everyone... Finally, a question I can have a say in... I have had Stanley the stoma for almost 7 years... The specialists had me on Imodium... and what a joke... up to 20 a day and it made not one ounce of difference... I had my whole small bowel removed and next they want the rest (colon and large bowel)... like hell they will get it... I was classed as a high output ileostomy... They tried EVERYTHING on me... from more pills to thick foods and bananas... Yep, you guessed it... zip, nothing. Nothing worked. As my weight drastically dropped to 36 kilos... AND they were quite prepared to let me go home this way... 16 years before, I was put on Codeine to slow the bowel down as no idiot doctor or specialist picked I had Crohn's... I.B.S. is what they said... Another joke... So I say, "Hey, what about Codeine again?" "Oh yeah, I guess we can try them"... GRRRR!! Stupid prick. So now after all these years, I finally have some weight back and no high output... BUT I am up to 8 a day... and if the bag plays up and needs fresh air... I take a couple more in one go and NOTHING comes out for a few hours... So I am able to remove the wafer and such and sit naked and let things heal... Like the Toyota ad... "OH WHAT A FEELING!!!"... Anyway, hope this helps... Tara... Cairns
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Tara!!!!! Hope you are okay?

Missed you, girl ....xxxxxxx

Hi there... thanks, I'm doing okay—hot and bothered, but who's complaining? Missed everyone on here... Hope you're all well and happy... MWAH!!!!
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I am sure one has to use some trial and error approach to regulate output. My colostomy is much easier to manage, of course, than those with ileo. Blockages are real if too much Imodium is used. Therefore, use common sense. I'm good with one; two slows things down well. I don't take two often unless really sick or have high output.

Life is good. Loren

How I got my fistulas was that they found 2 twists and 2 holes in my bowel after 18 days in a coma and 14 weeks in the hospital. They pulled my stomach muscles to both of my sides, so they left me with an open wound with a skin graft over it. Unfortunately, I have developed 3 fistulas. The 2 bottom ones have corroded some of the skin graft away, so the bags won't stick anymore. Therefore, I have to use wound dressing, but they leak after a while. That's why I was asking about the Imodium. I am having surgery later next year to fix everything. Just getting frustrated. Have seen ST nurse. Poppie

The fistula won't be affected by Imodium; I have two as well as the ileo. Bloody things
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I was told to try and find a way to slow output with food and to use the loperamide (Imodium) for slowing it when traveling or to sleep at night. My concern would be blockages too. Anything codeine-based will have the same effect. I think you need to look at your diet, maybe a food diary to see if there is something that sets you off more than others. Good luck.
Trish