Does Loperamide Interact with Eluxadoline?
Loperamide and Eluxadoline have a major drug interaction according to U.S. FDA drug labeling data. Examples: cyclosporine, gemfibrozil, antiretrovirals (atazanavir, lopinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir, tipranavir), rifampin, eltrombopag Drugs that Cause Constipation Clinical Impact: Increased risk for constipation related adverse reactions and potential for constipation related serious adverse reactions Intervention: Avoid use with other drugs that may cause constipation (see below); loperamide may be used occasionally for acute management of severe diarrhea but avoid chronic use. Discontinue loperamide immediately if constipation occurs. Patients taking both medications should consult their healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing the dosage of either drug. This information is based on official FDA drug labeling sourced from OpenFDA and the NIH National Library of Medicine.
- Severity
- Major
- Eluxadoline Class
- mu-Opioid Receptor Agonist
- Management
- Close medical supervision required
- Data Source
- U.S. FDA via OpenFDA
What To Tell Your Doctor or Pharmacist
If you are taking Loperamide and your doctor is considering prescribing Eluxadoline (or vice versa), make sure to:
- Inform your doctor and pharmacist of all current medications, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements
- Ask whether the benefits of combining these medications outweigh the risks for your specific situation
- Ask what symptoms to watch for that would indicate the interaction is causing problems
- Ask how frequently you should be monitored while these are co-prescribed
- Ask whether any dosage adjustments are needed
- Never stop or change either medication without first consulting your healthcare provider