1 May 2026Oral drugsSource update: January 2024
Loperamide oral
Loperamide guidance for persistent diarrhea in adults with HIV, always alongside rehydration.
Prescription under medical supervision
This guide page is for structured reference only and does not replace a clinician, pharmacist, or emergency review. Dose choice, route choice, interactions, and safety decisions still need professional judgment.
Therapeutic action
Opioid antidiarrhoeal.
Indications
Symptomatic treatment of persistent diarrhoea in adults with HIV infection, in combination with rehydration.
Forms and strengths
- 2 mg capsule or tablet.
Dose
- Adult: 4 mg (2 capsules), then 2 mg (1 capsule) after each loose stool, without exceeding 16 mg daily (8 capsules daily).
Duration
According to clinical response.
Contra-indications, adverse effects, precautions
- Do not exceed indicated doses.
- Do not administer to children.
- Do not administer to patients with bloody diarrhoea, ulcerative colitis, or diarrhoea due to antibiotics.
- May cause constipation, allergic skin reactions, drowsiness, and dizziness.
- In the event of overdosage, treat with naloxone.
- Pregnancy: no contra-indication.
- Breast-feeding: no contra-indication.
Source
MSF Essential drugs practical guidelines (January 2026)
This page reproduces the structured reference information for this batch while leaving out the Storage and Remarks sections.
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