Is there a generic form of Immodium in chewable form?

Only the chewable works for me but the regular Immodium is just too expensive.

There is generic softgels and liquid, but they are expensive too. Have you tried crushing or dissolving the pills before taking them? They are not time release, so you do not have to leave them whole.

Jan

oooh...i never considered that. So if I just crush them and eat that, it will absorb faster into my blood and take effect sooner?

It should. The chewable Imodium have the same formulation of medicine in them, loperamide HCl. Your issue probably is just in the way the tablets are formed. However, if the type of chewable you say works for you is the kind with simethicone added, you can just take that separately. Simethicone is an antigas medication, but I am not sure it does much of anything. It does not prevent gas formation, but just makes small bubbles form into big bubbles, so they are easier to burp or fart (depending on where your gas is). Anyway, you can get generic simethicone that is cheap.

Even if there is some additive that makes the chewables more effective for you, it is way cheaper to double or triple your dose than to take those brand name ones that come in small packages.

Also, are you taking your Imodium every day at the same times? For chronic use, it is better to take them throughout the day or even all at once in the morning, but be consistent, rather than after each bowel movement, expecting immediate results. Remember, we are different than most patients they are aiming at on the package instructions.

Jan

Great info Jan.

So regarding the simethicone - I just take it separately?

And regarding when I use it - is this because the body gets into a rhythm when it is used at the same time daily? I don't do this because I'm afraid of dependency. Is that a reasonable fear?

If you think your issue is temporary, then you take Imodium according to the package instructions...which is basically for only a few days. But, for chronic use, better to mantain a consistent blood level. It has a fairly long half life, and some carries over from day to day, and takes a few days for the blood level to build up. So, you'd probably need less overall over time, if you use it regularly. Although loperamide is chemically similar to opiates, there is no "high" associated with it, and no tolerance to the bowel slowing effects over time. So, it is a good long term drug. It has been used for ileostomies for decades before there even was a j-pouch, so it is a well studied drug. I've been on it since 1995 and use half as much as I did right after surgery. Many people are able to stop it altogether. If you only have diarrhea periodically, no reason to take it daily.

Simethicone you can take separately or at the same time. You can experiment with how much or how often works best for you, or if you even need it.

Jan

I don't have an "issue" per se, but i just need the immodium to be able to be productive during my day. Without it, I have to use the restroom every 2 hours which is very inconvenient as I'm always on the go.

Can you take to much Imodium? I'm not sure how much I should take or when I should take it.

It is pretty safe even at huge doses, but studies show no increased benefit above 16mg/day (8 2mg pills/capsules).

Typically, you start out with a small dose and work your way up to the maximum.

Jan

Also, is simethicone the active ingredient in Gas-X?

Is there a better time to take it durring the day? Or a better way to take it, like before you eat or with food?

Yes, simethicone is the active ingredient in all brands of gas meds, except for the enzyme based ones, lime Beano.

I don't know when the best times to take it are. Probably mealtime. Others here who use it could probably advise you better than I.

Jan

From a cost perspective, even though immodium is over-the-counter, you can get your doc to write a prescription. This is far more cost effective for me, with my insurance, than paying the off the shelf, over the counter pricing.

Yes, that's what I do. Some insurances won't cover though. For me, I have to have the Rx coded as an exception to allow for non-formulary.

Jan