Abstract
loperamide hydrochloride is indicated for the control and symptomatic relief of acute nonspecific diarrhea and of chronic diarrhea associated with inflammatory bowel disease. Its use in paediatric age group less than 12 years is not recommended. Toxicity with therapeutic dose has been reported to cause urinary retention, paralytic ileus, respiratory depression due to CNS depression in infants and toddlers.
Highlights
Loperamide (Imodium) is an anti diarrheal agent usually used in adults
We report a rare case of suspected loperamide toxicity in a neonate
The mainstay of treatment of acute diarrhea is rehydration therapy, antidiarrhoeals like loperamide may have a role for symptomatic relief with acute diarrhea but WHO does not recommend their use in children
Summary
Loperamide (Imodium) is an anti diarrheal agent usually used in adults. It is an opioid analogue which acts locally on the intestinal wall to decrease the gut motility and control the diarrhea [1]. Its passage of blood-brain barrier is minimal in therapeutic doses it is known to cause respiratory depression and paralytic ileus in younger children and infants [2]. There are a very few cases of loperamide toxicity in younger children reported so far never in a neonate [3, 4, 5]. We report a rare case of suspected loperamide toxicity in a neonate. Arterial blood gases was normal, respiratory acidosis was ruled out
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