Patient/caregiver was educated on the side-effects of using Imodium as follows:
Cardiovascular side-effects
- Imodium carries a small risk of lowering the blood pressure and causing and/or aggravating cardiac arrhythmias, especially in individuals with history of the same. Individuals with diarrhea could have lost significant fluid and suffered serious electrolyte disturbances, which puts them at risk for hypotension and cardiac arrhythmias. Administering imodium to such individuals can easily tip the balance in favor of development of hypotension and precipitation of cardiac arrhythmias.
- Hypotension can lead to episodes of confusion and dizziness, thus increasing the risk for fall and accidents. Increased risk for cardiac arrhythmias with imodium intake can result in episodes of chest pain, rapid heart rate, palpitations, dizziness, shortness of breath, and in severe cases can result in debility and death.
Central nervous system side-effects
- Intake of imodium can induce some dizziness and make one drowsy. Hypotension due to fluid loss in diarrheal patients can add to the risk for dizziness and confusion. Watching for the response and gradually changing the dose of imodium, to help optimum control of your symptoms, can contribute to controlling/reducing the risk for drowsiness and dizziness due to the medication. The dizziness can be self-limiting and resolve in due course of time. If the dizziness becomes bothersome, report it to your physician and other health care personnel, for any change in plan of care to be considered. Stay away from activities, such as, driving and operating heavy machinery, until you are used to the side effects caused by imodium intake.
