Loperamide

Loperamide

Health risk
Addiction risk
Legal risk

Loperamide (sold under various trade names including Diamode, Imodium, Maalox Anti-Diarrheal and Pepto Diarrhea Control) is a medication primarily used to treat diarrhea. It works by slowing the movement of the gut, which helps decrease the frequency of bowel movements. Loperamide is classified as an opioid receptor agonist and acts on the mu-opioid receptors in the intestine. However, unlike other opioids, it does not significantly affect the central nervous system at typical doses, which means it does not provide pain relief or produce a high.

This medication is available over-the-counter in most jurisdictions.