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Source overview
Recorded excerpts for one species. Each dose remains a separate source entry; no regimen is selected.
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View full clinical evidence and sources ↓Clinical evidence
Pending clinical review (PROPOSED)Rule-based (RULE_BASED)— applies to the facts and dose entries in this species selection; individual source records retain their own status.
Indications2
Symptomatic treatment of non-infectious diarrhea; adjunct for chemotherapy-induced diarrhea (e.g., toceranib)
DogExtra-label (EXTRA_LABEL)1 source record · View provenance
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 739–740; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 457–458 — Indications table · Not applicable · Extra-label (EXTRA_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Original excerpt: Symptomatic treatment of non-infectious diarrhea; adjunct for chemotherapy-induced diarrhea (e.g., toceranib) — Extra-label (human OTC/Rx)
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 739–740; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 457–458 — Indications table · Not applicable · Extra-label (EXTRA_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Controversial — many clinicians avoid (excitatory reactions)
CatExtra-label (EXTRA_LABEL)1 source record · View provenance
- Cat · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 739–740; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 457–458 — Indications table · Not applicable · Extra-label (EXTRA_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Original excerpt: Controversial — many clinicians avoid (excitatory reactions) — Extra-label; caution
- Cat · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 739–740; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 457–458 — Indications table · Not applicable · Extra-label (EXTRA_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Dose regimens3
This calculator performs arithmetic only on the sourced dosing field shown for each result — it does not verify the field's accuracy, does not select which field to use for a patient, and does not replace a veterinarian's order. Not for clinical use. Confirm every result against the primary source before dispensing.
Choose one species above to view its dose calculator.
Adverse effects153
Constipation, bloat, sedation — Usual-dose effects
DogNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 739–740; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 457–458 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Paralytic ileus, toxic megacolon, pancreatitis — Potential/serious
DogNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 739–740; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 457–458 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
CNS depression at 0.06 mg/kg in MDR1-mutant dogs — Documented (APCC)
Other speciesNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Other species · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 739–740; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 457–458 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Excitatory behavior — Reason for feline controversy
CatNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Cat · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 739–740; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 457–458 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
These are counts of spontaneously reported events, not proven adverse effects, causal relationships, or incidence rates.
Bars compare report counts within each species; they do not show incidence.
More reportsFewer reportsDog
- Diarrhoea37 reports
- Vomiting22 reports
- Lethargy (see also Central nervous system depression in 'Neurological')17 reports
- Weight loss11 reports
- Anorexia10 reports
- Death by euthanasia8 reports
- Emesis7 reports
- Anaemia NOS5 reports
- Decreased appetite5 reports
- Fever5 reports
- Not eating5 reports
- Other abnormal test result NOS5 reports
Cat
- Diarrhoea3 reports
- Emesis (multiple)2 reports
- Weight loss2 reports
- Anaemia NOS1 reports
- Anorexia1 reports
- Application site alopecia1 reports
- Application site pruritus1 reports
- Application site reaction NOS1 reports
- Application site reddening1 reports
- Application site scab1 reports
- Application site twitching1 reports
- Application site ulcer1 reports
Monitoring1
Stool consistency, hydration; sedation/CNS signs (stop if present); duration (≤5 days)
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 739–740; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 457–458 — Monitoring Parameters · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Contraindications1
ABCB1-1Δ (MDR1) mutant dogs; untested "white-feet" herding breeds (Collies, Shelties, Aussies); diarrhea from toxic ingestion until toxin cleared; narcotic hypersensitivity
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 739–740; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 457–458 — Contraindications & Warnings table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Precautions5
Acute abdominal conditions (masks diagnosis), head trauma/↑ICP, respiratory disease, hepatic disease with encephalopathy (hepatic coma risk), hypothyroidism, Addison's, severe renal insufficiency, geriatric/debilitated; suspected enteric infections
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 739–740; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 457–458 — Contraindications & Warnings table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
The MDR1/ivermectin-sensitivity connection is the exam pearl: the same P-glycoprotein mutation that causes ivermectin toxicity in Collies lets loperamide into the brain — check "white-feet" breeds before recommending an OTC antidiarrheal.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 739–740; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 457–458 — Clinical pearl · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Naloxone reverses severe loperamide depression (higher doses may be needed); avoid apomorphine for emesis induction in overdose (additive CNS depression).
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 739–740; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 457–458 — Clinical pearl · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Symptomatic therapy only — never masks infectious diarrhea or toxic ingestion without addressing the cause.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 739–740; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 457–458 — Clinical pearl · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Cats: use only with deliberate caution and clear rationale; excitatory reactions are the documented concern.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 739–740; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 457–458 — Clinical pearl · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Interactions2
P-gp inhibitors (amiodarone, carvedilol, erythromycin, ketoconazole, itraconazole) — ↑ loperamide levels → CNS effects even in normal dogs
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 739–740; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 457–458 — Drug Interactions table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Other CNS/respiratory depressants — Additive depression
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 739–740; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 457–458 — Drug Interactions table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Pharmacokinetics3
Half-life — ~11 h (human)
Other speciesNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Other species · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 739–740; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 457–458 — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
CNS penetration — Normally excluded by P-glycoprotein (blood-brain barrier)
Other speciesNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Other species · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 739–740; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 457–458 — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Milk/placenta — Unknown passage
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 739–740; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 457–458 — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Pregnancy / lactation considerations1
Human FDA category B. Nursing safety not established.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 739–740; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 457–458 — Pregnancy & Lactation · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Literature references19
References are linked to this drug. Species applicability is not recorded here, so the species filter does not narrow this list. Imported dates do not retain their original precision; confirm dates in the original citation.
- Lactiplantibacillus plantarum NCHBL-004 improves intestinal motility and modulates serotonergic gene expression in a loperamide-induced constipation model.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- The laxative efficacy of a mixed extract of Cassia alata with Plantago major in rats.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- Application of modelling of cell monolayer permeation data to generate input parameters compatible with in vitro-in vivo translation of blood-brain-barrier disposition of drugs.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- Laxative Ingredients of Fresh Hemerocallis citrina Baroni.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- A Bottom-up Approach for Mutant and Wild Type Collies Using Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic (PBPK) Modeling: A Case Study Using Loperamide.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
Sources: PubMed, National Library of Medicine; openFDA, U.S. Food and Drug Administration; Plumb DC. Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook. 7th ed. PharmaVet Inc; 2011.
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