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Imodium

Loperamide, usually as hydrochloride, is a drug effective against diarrhea resulting from gastroenteritis or inflammatory bowel disease. In most countries it is available generically under brand names such as Lopex®, Imodium®, Dimor® and Pepto® Diarrhea Control. more...

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Mode of action

Loperamide is an opioid receptor agonist and acts on the mu opioid receptors in the myenteric plexus large intestines; it does not affect the central nervous system like other opioids.

It works by decreasing the activity of the myenteric plexus which decreases the motility of the circular and longitudinal smooth muscles of the intestinal wall. This increases the amount of time substances stay in the intestine, allowing for more water to be absorbed out of the fecal matter. Loperamide also decreases colonic mass movements and suppresses the gastrocolic reflex.

Loperamide does not cross the blood-brain barrier and has no analgesic properties or addictive potential. Tolerance in response to long-term use has not been reported.

Contraindications

Treatment should be avoided in the presence of fever or if the stool is bloody. Treatment is not recommended for patients who could suffer detrimental effects from rebound constipation. If there is a suspicion of diarrhea associated with organisms that can penetrate the intestinal walls, such as E. coli O157:H7 or salmonella, loperamide is contraindicated.

Side-effects

Side effects can include the following: drowsiness, constipation, abdominal pain or discomfort, dry mouth, fatigue, and in rare cases toxic megacolon.

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Hard sell
From Muscle & Fitness, 9/1/05 by Randee St. Nicholas

At this moment, this stunning siren is a business entrepreneur, an actress, an interior designer, a spokesmodel for a tanning salon and one of Barker's Beauties on The Price Is Right. In other words, it's incredible Gabrielle Tuite has time to talk to us. "I just have an overactive creative side," she remarks. [??] Apparently. She started modeling at 13 and booked several national fashion ads before frying moviegoers' retinas as "that hot chick in the Porsche" in Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo and twice gracing the cover of MUSCLE & FITNESS (April 1999 and April 2003). Through it all, Gabrielle's physique has stayed toned and tantalizing thanks to a diet heavy on veggies and poultry, and a fit-it-in-when-you-can approach to fitness. "If I'm really busy, I'll just do a whole bunch of sit-ups in the morning," she says. [??] If God's listening, we'll be seeing her heavenly body on prime time again soon. She has appeared on the hit show Las Vegas, has a reality gig in the works and aspires to land the role of a "smart, strong woman." Until then, let us savor her game-show work, which isn't as always as glamorous as it seems. "Sometimes I have to show Imodium AD and smile," she explains. If it makes you feel any better, Gabby, our eyes aren't on what's in your hand.