Lomofen Plus Tablets

Lomofen Plus tablet is used to treat diarrhoea. It is an anti-diarrhoeal medicine containing loperamide as an active ingredient. Loperamide in Lomofen Plus acts by decreasing the frequency of stools.

It is not used to treat all types of diarrhoea, such as diarrhoea associated with the use of antibiotics. It has some side effects, including headache, constipation, flatulence and nausea/vomiting. Stop taking the medicine once you get relief from diarrhoea.

Avoid using Lomofen Plus if you have diarrhoea with blood or bacterial infection causing diarrhoea. Take this medicine as suggested by the doctor and in doses and duration as prescribed. You should avoid excess spices, oils and sugars in the food while on this medicine.

Drink plenty of fluids and water to stay hydrated. Inform your treating doctor about all the past medicine, supplements and conditions before starting the treatment with Lomofen Plus.

Dosage

Overdose

An overdose causes palpitations, difficulty breathing, choking or vomiting while not being fully conscious, coordination abnormality, sleepiness, constipation. Seek medical help if you experience the symptoms or you have taken too much of the Lomofen Plus tablet.

Missed a Dose

If you have missed taking a dose of the Lomofen Plus tablet, take it as soon as you remember, if it is time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with the regular dose schedule. Avoid taking a double dose to compensate for the missed one.

Mode of Action

How Does It Work?

Lomofen tablet acts on the internal intestinal lining (layer) and reduces intestinal movement. Due to this, the movement of food along the intestine is slowed down. This makes way for more water and salts to be absorbed, preventing their loss in each episode of loose stools. It relieves the feeling of the urgency of passing stools. Lomofen increases control over defecation (excretion or bowel movement) by increasing the power of the natural control valve of the anus, which weakens during acute diarrhoea.

Directions for Use

• Take as directed by the doctor.
• Swallow as a whole with a glass of water. Do not cut, break or chew the medicine.
• Take at the same time every day for optimal results.
• Avoid consuming more than prescribed by the doctor.

Precautions and Warnings

Pregnancy

Can I take Lomofen Plus Tablet during pregnancy?

There is little information available about the effects of the Lomofen Plus tablet in human pregnancy. Avoid during pregnancy, especially during the first 3 months. Consult the doctor if you are pregnant or you may be pregnant or are planning for a baby before starting the medicine.

Breast Feeding

Can I take Lomofen Plus Tablet while breastfeeding?

Loperamide passes into human milk and the medicine is not recommended while breastfeeding. Consult the doctor before using Lomofen Plus during breastfeeding.

Driving

Can I drive after consuming Lomofen Plus Tablet?

Lomofen Plus tablet is used for diarrhoea, which itself causes weakness and dizziness. You may experience unconsciousness or reduced levels of consciousness, tiredness, dizziness or drowsiness when diarrhoea is treated with the medicine. Caution is advised while driving or avoid driving if you do not feel well or unable to be alert.

Alcohol

Can I consume alcohol while taking Lomofen Plus Tablet?

No known interactions are available of Lomofen Plus tablets with Alcohol. Avoid consuming alcohol as this itself leads to abdominal discomfort.

Other General Warnings

Talk to your doctor if

• You suffer from acute diarrhoea, must pay keen attention to appropriate fluid and electrolyte replacement from time to time.
• You suffer from diarrhoea for many days, avoid taking Lomofen Plus endlessly. Instead, get yourself checked as long-term diarrhoea may be a symptom of serious underlying disease.
• You suffer from diarrhoea for more than 48 hours and Lomofen Plus does not control it, consult a doctor for further treatment.
• You are an AIDS patient suffering from diarrhoea, you must stop taking tablets at the first sign of stomach distension (bloating and swelling of the belly). The chances of painful constipation and intestinal obstruction are much higher in AIDS patients suffering from intestinal infections
• You suffer from liver disease, the medicine must be used with caution. It is important to watch out for dizziness, drowsiness and mental confusion.
• You suffer from hereditary conditions in which the body cannot handle certain sugars (galactose intolerance, lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption).
• The medicine must be used cautiously in children and patients on a low sodium diet.
• The medicine must be discontinued promptly if signs of constipation, stomach distension or stomach pain develop.
• You must not exceed the recommended dose or duration of treatment as it is associated with increased heart disorders.

Contraindications

• If you are allergic to loperamide or other ingredients of Lomofen tablet.
• If you suffer from constipation or develop it during treatment with the medicine.
• If you suffer from swelling of the stomach during or before treatment which does not get relieved on its own.
• If you suffer from diarrhoea with blood in stools or high fever.
• If you have or appears to have symptoms of ulcerative colitis (like stomach pain or cramps, weight loss, fatigue) which is a chronic disease of the gut.
• If you develop diarrhoea due to infection caused by bacterial like Salmonella, Shigella or Campylobacter.
• If you develop diarrhoea due to the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics like Amoxicillin, Ampicillin, Cephalosporins like Cefixime, Clindamycin, etc.
• Lomofen tablet must not be used in patients less than 9 years old.

Side effects

• Headache
• Nausea
• Constipation
• Flatulence (gas)

Interactions

Interactions with other medicines

• If you use the medicine with Ritonavir (Anti-HIV medicine), Quinidine (used to treat malaria and for disorders affecting the heart rate), Itraconazole; Ketoconazole, (used to treat fungal infections), Gemfibrozil (used to reduce cholesterol in blood) or with an oral preparation of desmopressin which is a medicine given for excessive urination, it increases the amount of Lomofen in blood by slowing its systemic breakdown thereby requiring adjustment of doses by the treating physician.
• You must avoid the medicine in combination with medicines known to cause ECG changes e.g. Quinidine (medicines given for malaria and disorders affecting the heart rate), Procainamide, Amiodarone, Sotalol, (medicine given for disorders affecting the heart rate), Chlorpromazine, Haloperidol, Thioridazine, Ziprasidone, (medicines given for psychosis), Moxifloxacin (an antibiotic), Pentamidine (an antimicrobial) and Methadone (a pain killer).
• If you are using one or more of the medicines, inform the treating physician and confirm whether it is safe to continue or start treatment with Loperamide. Pain killers like Hydrocodone, Oxycodone, Tramadol, Fentanyl, and Tapenade, anti-allergy medicines like Hydroxyzine, Promethazine, Phenyltoloxamine, Orphenadrine and Tripelennamine; anti-dizziness medicines like Hyoscine, Dimenhydrinate, certain anti-asthma medicines like oral preparations of Ipratropium, Tiotropium, etc. The medicines decrease the movement of the intestine and cause constipation if used with a Loperamide tablet.
• Inform the doctor if you are taking other medicines, herbal preparation and supplements to avoid interaction.

Interactions with food items

Avoid excessive spices, oils and sugars in the food consumed until the condition is better.

Storage and disposal

• Store at a cool and dry place, protected from direct sunlight, moisture and heat.
• Keep it away from children and pets.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is Lomofen Plus an antibiotic medicine?

No, it is not an antibiotic. It is an anti-diarrhoeal medicine.

How long does Lomofen Plus tablet take to work?

Lomofen Plus tablet takes around an hour to start showing its action. It depends on the physiology and bodily functions of an individual.

For how long must I take Lomofen Plus tablet?

The medicine must be taken for the duration as prescribed by a registered medical practitioner. Avoid using it for more than 5 days. If there is no relief even after 5 days, consult the treating physician, who will attempt to find other causes of the diarrhoea using specific tests.

What are the other conditions during which Lomofen Plus must be avoided?

If you have an allergy to loperamide, in children below 9 years, patients suffering from constipation, inflammatory disease of the intestine, blood in stool and diarrhoea due to use of antibiotics.

Can I take Lomofen Plus tablets with painkillers?

Yes, Lomofen Plus tablets are taken with pain killers. Take with an antacid along with pain killers to avoid abdominal discomfort caused by pain killers.

Is Lopermide and Lomofen Plus same?

Yes, Lomofen Plus and loperamide are both the same. Lomofen Plus tablet contains loperamide as its active ingredient.

Can I take probiotics along with Lomofen Plus medicine?

Probiotics help to restore the damaged microbial flora due to diarrhoea and helps in healing. Probiotics are taken along Lomofen Plus in specific types of diarrhoea. Consult the treating physician before starting probiotics along with Lomofen Plus.

Is Lomofen Plus tablet used for loose motion?

Yes, Lomofen Plus tablet is used to treat loose motion, also known as diarrhoea.

Can Lomofen plus be given to children?

Lomofen plus should not be given to children below 9 years of age. You must consult a doctor before giving any medicine to children.

How many Lomofen can be taken in a day?

You should take Lomofen Plus tablet as recommended by your doctor. Do not take more than the advised number of tablets in a day. It may increase the risk of side effects.

How long does Lomofen take to work?

Lomofen usually starts to work within 1 hour to make your diarrhoea better.

Is it safe to take Lomofen for long term use?

Lomofen is usually prescribed for a short duration or as per the need. Most people only need to take Lomofen for 1 to 2 days. Do not use it for the long term unless prescribed by the doctor.

Does Lomofen tablet cause constipation?

Lomofen tablet will decrease the frequency of stool and aids in maintaining the normal stool output. However, Lomofen is less likely to cause constipation. Talk to your doctor for more information.

What is the composition of Lomofen tablet?

The composition of Lomofen tablet includes loperamide, as an active ingredient. It belongs to an anti-diarrhoeal class of medicines and acts by decreasing the frequency of stools.

What is Lomofen tablet dose for adults?

The doctor will decide the specific dose for a specific duration depending upon the severity of the condition. Do not take Lomofen tablet endlessly on your own without consulting a doctor.