Loperamide: Risk of Acute Pancreatitis
Drug Safety Update
Loperamide is a synthetic opioid antidiarrheal agent, indicated for symptomatic control of both acute and chronic diarrhoea.
Since 2012, loperamide belongs to the FDA list of drugs potentially able to cause acute pancreatitis, because of its capacity of modulating the secretion from the exocrine pancreas and of causing sphincter of Oddi dysfunction.
Recommendations
While NPRA is still reviewing this safety issue, be aware of the possible risk of acute pancreatitis associated with loperamide use, especially in patients with a history of cholecystectomy.
Advise patients taking loperamide to seek medical attention if they experience characteristic symptoms of acute pancreatitis, including epigastric abdominal pain (sometimes radiating to the back), tenderness when touching the abdomen, fever, rapid pulse, nausea, and vomiting.
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