Please note: Product packaging may vary from the image shown.
Just a few questions from our Pharmacist before you checkout to make sure this medicine is safe for you.
Buy loperamide 2mg capsules online
Loperamide 2mg capsules treat diarrhoea in adults and children aged 12 and over. Each capsule contains 2 milligrams (mg) of the active ingredient loperamide hydrochloride which works quickly to ease symptoms and provide effective relief.
What is loperamide used for?
Loperamide capsules can help with:
- short-term (acute) diarrhoea in adults and children aged 12 and over
- diarrhoea linked to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in adults aged 18 and over
Our clinicians often recommend loperamide as the first choice for easing diarrhoea in people with IBS. It works best alongside diet and lifestyle changes a GP or pharmacist may suggest for managing the condition.
How does loperamide work?
Loperamide calms down the muscle contractions in your gut wall. This slows down the passing of waste through your bowel, meaning your stools become firmer and you go to the toilet less often.
How quickly does it work?
You’ll normally feel the effects of loperamide within about an hour of your first dose. This is because it acts directly on your gut, rather than needing to be absorbed into your blood first.
If your symptoms haven’t improved after 48 hours of taking loperamide from a pharmacy, stop taking it and speak to a doctor to discuss further treatment options.
How long does it last?
Most people only need loperamide for a day or two, until a bout of short-term diarrhoea clears up.
If you are using it for diarrhoea linked to IBS, a GP or pharmacist may suggest taking it for longer. Even so, it’s worth checking in with them regularly to make sure that it’s working for you as it should, rather than taking it continuously with no review.
How to take loperamide 2mg capsules
For short-term diarrhoea, adults and children aged 12 and over should take 2 capsules (4mg) as soon as symptoms start. Take 1 more capsule (2mg) after each loose stool.
Do not take more than 6 capsules (12mg) in 24 hours. Swallow the capsules whole with a drink of water.
Loperamide dosage for IBS
If you are using loperamide for diarrhoea linked to IBS, the dose is the same: 2 capsules to start, then 1 capsule after each loose stool, up to 6 capsules a day.
How long you should keep taking Loperamide for is something to agree with a GP or pharmacist, rather than deciding on your own.
“Loperamide can be really helpful for managing IBS-related diarrhoea, but it works best as part of a wider plan. We'd always recommend checking in with a pharmacist or your GP if you're relying on it regularly.”
Ian Budd, Pharmacist at Chemist4U
What if you miss a dose or take too much?
Don't worry if you miss a dose. Just take your usual dose after your next loose stool.
Taking one extra dose is unlikely to cause harm. Taking two or more extra doses can affect your heart's rhythm, so get urgent medical advice if this happens, or if you notice a fast or irregular heartbeat.
Who should not take loperamide 2mg capsules
Loperamide suits most adults and children over 12 who have short-term diarrhoea, but it’s not right for everyone.
Do not take loperamide if you or the person you’re treating:
- Are allergic to loperamide or any of the other ingredients.
- Are under the age of 12.
- Have acute dysentery with blood in your stools and a high temperature.
- Have acute ulcerative colitis, or a bacterial gut infection such as salmonella, shigella, or campylobacter.
- Have developed diarrhoea after taking a broad-spectrum antibiotic.
- Have constipation or a swollen stomach.
Speak to a pharmacist first if you have liver disease, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or take other medicines regularly.
Loperamide interactions with other medicines
Some medicines can increase the amount of loperamide in your blood. These include:
- desmopressin
- gemfibrozil
- itraconazole and other antifungals
- quinidine
- Ritonavir
Always check with a pharmacist before taking loperamide alongside a new medicine, including ones you can buy without a prescription.
Possible loperamide side effects
Like all medicines, loperamide can cause side effects. The most common side effects include:
- constipation, affecting around 3% of people
- flatulence, affecting around 2% of people
- headache, affecting around 1% of people
- nausea, affecting around 1% of people
Stop taking loperamide if you become constipated. Drinking plenty of water and eating more fibre can help to ease constipation.
Serious side effects
Stop taking loperamide and get medical help if you notice:
- Stomach pain or tenderness, a high temperature, a fast pulse, or being sick, which can be signs of an inflamed pancreas.
- Severe constipation, a swollen stomach, or difficulty weeing (urinating)
- Loss of consciousness, uncoordinated movements, or a fast or irregular heartbeat.
Signs of a serious allergic reaction
Call 999 or go to A&E straight away if you notice:
- swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- breathing difficulties
- skin that turns blue, grey, pale, or blotchy
These can be signs of a severe allergic reaction.
Loperamide and pregnancy or breastfeeding
Loperamide is not advised during pregnancy, especially in the first trimester, as its safety has not been fully established.
Small amounts can also pass into breast milk, so it’s not recommended if you’re breastfeeding. Speak to a doctor or one of our pharmacists for advice if you are pregnant, trying to conceive, or breastfeeding.
When to see a doctor about diarrhoea
See a doctor if your diarrhoea has not improved after 48 hours of taking loperamide, or if it lasts longer than 7 days in total. This can be a sign that you might have something else that needs looking into.
Seek medical help if you notice blood in your stools, a high temperature, or signs of dehydration such as a dry mouth, dizziness, or dark urine. This is especially important for young children and older people.
Storage information
Store loperamide capsules below 25°C, in a cool, dry place and in their original packaging. Keep them out of sight and reach of children.
Do not use loperamide after the expiry date shown on the pack.
Alternatives to loperamide 2mg capsules
If you and your doctor have decided that loperamide 2mg capsules aren’t the right anti-diarrhoea medication for you, there are alternative treatments that can relieve your symptoms. These include:
- Oral rehydration sachets, like Dioralyte, which replace the fluids and salts lost through diarrhoea and can be taken alongside loperamide.
- Loperamide orodispersible tablets or liquid, which suit anyone who finds capsules difficult to swallow, including children.
- Loperamide combined with simeticone, which treats diarrhoea and trapped wind or bloating together.
Sources
- Loperamide 2mg Capsules (GSL) – Summary of Product Characteristics. (2025) Electronic Medicines Compendium. [Accessed 11 September 2026]
- Loperamide: a medicine used to treat diarrhoea. (2025) NHS. [Accessed 11 September 2026]
- About loperamide. (2025) NHS. [Accessed 11 September 2026]
- How and when to take loperamide. (2025) NHS. [Accessed 11 September 2026]
- Side effects of loperamide. (2025) NHS. [Accessed 11 September 2026]
- Diarrhoea and vomiting. (2025) NHS. [Accessed 11 September 2026]
- Irritable bowel syndrome in adults: diagnosis and management (CG61). (2017) NICE. [Accessed 11 September 2026]
