Norimode

What are Norimode Tablets For?

Norimode is a branded version of the anti-diarrhoea medicine loperamide. It treats acute diarrhoea and flare-ups of chronic diarrhoea in adults by slowing an overactive bowel so water and salts can be absorbed rather than lost in diarrhoea.

Each Norimode tablet contains 2 mg of loperamide and is swallowed whole after each episode of acute diarrhoea or daily when used for chronic diarrhoea. Tillomed Laboratories Ltd. manufactures Norimode tablets.

Understanding Diarrhoea

Diarrhoea refers to the passing loose or watery stools more often than normal. It usually occurs when your bowels can't absorb fluid back into your body properly, causing excessive water to be expelled with your stool.

The condition can be caused by bacterial or viral infections, food intolerances, anxiety or chronic conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. If you regularly experience diarrhoea, speak to your doctor, as they can help determine the cause. From there, they can advise you on how to prevent it from developing again.

Why is it Important to Treat Diarrhoea?

Diarrhoea causes the body to lose fluids, which can lead to dehydration. Treating the condition can greatly reduce the risk of becoming dehydrated.

Symptoms of dehydration can include:

• Dizziness
• Dry mouth
• Dry skin
• Fainting
• Faster breathing
• Headaches
• Increased heartbeat
• Muscle cramps
• Sunken eyes

While treating diarrhoea with Norimode, ensure that you drink plenty of fluids throughout the day. Norimode (loperamide) does not hydrate you itself. You should also avoid alcohol or caffeinated beverages while taking the medication, as these can worsen your symptoms. Stick to water and other suitable clear fluids instead. If your diarrhoea symptoms have not improved within 48 hours of starting Norimode, stop taking it and contact your doctor.

How Does Norimode 2 mg Work?

Norimode tablets contain 2 mg of loperamide hydrochloride, which slows contractions in the bowels. It does this by binding to opioid receptors on the muscles of the intestinal walls. Normally, muscles contract around the bowel walls to push stools along and pass them out. As this process continues, the bowel walls extract water and nutrients back into the body.

However, if stools move too quickly because of an infection or other bowel disease, water remains in the stool and passes out as diarrhoea. Norimode slows how quickly stools move through the bowel, allowing more water and salts to be absorbed back into the body. This helps to form firmer, more solid, and less frequent bowel movements.

How Long Does Norimode Take to Work?

Loperamide usually helps to improve diarrhoea within 1 hour of taking it, with each dose remaining effective for 8 to 12 hours. If you're using Norimode for acute diarrhoea, you should not take it for longer than 5 days.

How Effective Are Norimode 2 mg Tablets

Loperamide is a highly effective anti-diarrhoea medication. Early research found that loperamide was more effective than another prescription drug, diphenoxylate, and over-the-counter bismuth subsalicylate for treating acute diarrhoea.

Another study found that 2mg loperamide oxide, a prodrug that converts into the active loperamide in the gut, tablets provided relief from acute diarrhoea within 25 hours, compared with 27 hours 55 minutes for a 1 mg dose and 40 hours 35 minutes for a placebo. The same study found that loperamide was rated excellent or good for 78%, compared with 62% for placebo.

How to Take Norimode Tablets

It's essential to take Norimode exactly as prescribed. If you're unsure, check with your clinician or doctor before starting treatment. Swallow Norimode tablets with liquid. If you have difficulty swallowing, the tablet has a score line to help you break it. Note that this is not meant to divide the pill into equal doses.

The usual dosage of Norimode 2 mg tablets is as follows:

• Short-term (acute) diarrhoea: 2 tablets initially, followed by 1 tablet after each loose bowel movement for up to 5 days. The maximum dose is 6 tablets in 24 hours.
• Long-lasting (chronic) diarrhoea: The recommended starting dose is 2 tablets daily. Adjust this initial dose until you have 1-2 solid stools a day, usually achieved with a daily maintenance dose of 1-6 tablets. The maximum dose is 6 tablets in 24 hours.

Note that when you have diarrhoea, your body loses large amounts of salts and fluids. It's therefore important to replace them by drinking more liquids than normal, especially clear fluids containing salt and sugar. This is especially important for frail or elderly people.

If You Forget to Take Norimode

If you forget to take Norimode, take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time for your next dose. If so, skip the missed tablet and continue the schedule as normal. Do not take a double dose to make up for one you have forgotten.

If You Take Too Many Norimode Tablets

If you have taken too many Norimode tablets, contact your doctor or a hospital immediately for advice. Take the Patient Information Leaflet or any remaining pills with you. You may experience adverse reactions as a result of an overdose, which include:

• Increased heart rate
• Irregularity or changes to your heartbeat
• Muscle stiffness
• Uncoordinated movements
• Drowsiness
• Difficulty urinating
• Weak breathing

The listed heart effects can be serious, so seek medical attention urgently if you experience them.

Norimode Side Effects and Cautions

Norimode can cause side effects in some people, so read the Patient Information Leaflet that comes with the medication before you start taking it to familiarise yourself with them. This will help you understand what to expect, how to manage them, and when you may need medical advice.

Possible Side Effects of Norimode Tablets

Although Norimode can cause side effects, not everyone who takes them will experience them. In most cases, they are mild, tolerable, and manageable at home. If you are concerned about Norimode side effects, contact your clinician for more advice.

Please note that the above is not a complete list of Norimode side effects. More details can be found within the Patient Information Leaflet that accompanies the medication. If you experience adverse reactions, you can report them to your clinician or use the MHRA's Yellow Card scheme.

Serious Side Effects of Norimode 2 mg

Norimode tablets can occasionally cause serious side effects. You should seek immediate medical advice if you develop any of the following symptoms:

• Bloated tummy, which may be due to enlargement of the large intestine
• Allergic reaction (swelling of the face, throat, or tongue, difficulty breathing or dizziness)
• Severe blistering of the skin, mouth, eyes, and genitals
• Swelling of the deeper skin layers caused by a build-up of fluid
• Loss or reduced level of consciousness
• Difficulty coordinating movement
• Difficulty urinating
• Severe constipation
• Blockage of the bowel

Norimode 2 mg Warnings and Interactions

Although Norimode 2 mg tablets effectively treat diarrhoea, they may not be suitable for everyone. It's therefore essential to have a clear understanding of potential interactions and contraindications before you start your course of pills.

Do not take Norimode 2 mg if you:

• Are allergic to loperamide or any of the other ingredients in the medicine
• Need to keep bowel movements normal to avoid bowel blockages or abnormal/rapid widening of the colon
• Have a flare-up of ulcerative colitis
• Have severe diarrhoea after taking antibiotics
• Have constipation, bowel blockages, or a bloated tummy
• Have a bacterial infection of the small intestine and colon
• Have inflammation of the colon after taking antibiotics
• Have blood in your stools and a high temperature, which could be signs of acute (short-lived) dysentery

Precautions Before Taking Norimode

Before you start taking Norimode tablets, consult your clinician or doctor if you:

• Have or think you may have lost body fluids and salts through diarrhoea. This is particularly important for frail and elderly patients with severe diarrhoea
• Suffer from liver problems
• Have a bloated tummy, and you have AIDS
• Have been told that you have an intolerance to some sugars, as Norimode contains lactose
• Have a history of drug abuse, as loperamide is an opioid

You should also speak to your clinician or doctor if you have been taking Norimode for 48 hours and have not experienced an improvement in symptoms.

Norimode and Other Medicines

Ensure that you tell your clinician or doctor about any other medicines you are taking, might take, or have recently taken. This includes over-the-counter treatments and herbal remedies. Certain medications should not be taken with Norimode, while others may cause serious side effects or increase blood levels of the other treatment.

A breakdown of these medicines is as follows:

• Other antidiarrhoea medicines (except for oral rehydration therapy)
• Quinidine (for abnormal heart rhythms or malaria)
• Ritonavir (for HIV infection and AIDS)
• Itraconazole & ketoconazole (for fungal infections)
• Gemfibrozil (for lowering cholesterol)
• Oral desmopressin (for reducing urine production)

Speak to your clinician or doctor if you are unsure whether any of the above applies to you. More details about possible interactions between Norimode and other medicines are available in the Patient Information Leaflet.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

If you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant, or planning to become pregnant, you are advised not to take Norimode. This is because it's not known whether the medication is safe to take, especially during the first trimester. You should not take Norimode 2 mg if you are breastfeeding, as small amounts of the medicine can get into your breast milk.

Frequently Asked Questions About Norimode 2 mg