Comments on: A variation on Should I Eat It

Question: A variation on Should I Eat It

Mavri — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 06:13:17 -0800

Can/should I take immodium?

Took Pepto once last night and twice this morning. If it's working, it's not working as well as one would hope. Would switching to immodium and taking a dose of it now do terrible things to my insides?

By: FergieBelle

FergieBelle — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 06:14:17 -0800

Why don't you call a pharmacist to be sure? There are 24 hour pharmacies. Pharmacists are trained in both prescription and over-the-counter medications.

By: Jakey

Jakey — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 06:22:04 -0800

I have done so before with success and without problems.

Warning: anecdata, IANAP

By: sondrialiac

sondrialiac — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 06:22:44 -0800

I don't think they have any nasty interactions, and I've done it before without OMG DYING but I agree that calling a pharmacist would be a good idea.

If you have insurance, do you have a 24-hour nurse line listed on the back of the card?

Or, is there a walk-in clinic you can go to quickly?

By: Robert Angelo

Robert Angelo — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 06:23:27 -0800

You don't describe your symptoms, but I assume it's diarrhea? I have used Imodium in the past after using Pepto-Bismol, and it didn't hurt me. These days I don't use P-B for diarrhea, and instead go for the Imodium first.

On preview, what Jakey said.

By: aramaic

aramaic — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 06:27:50 -0800

I don't recall exactly what my field medical manual said on this subject, but I *think* it basically said that gut paralytics could be used as long as there wasn't any blood or pus/discharge involved. IANAD, but if you know you react OK to Immodium, I'd take it.

By: Mavri

Mavri — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 06:35:59 -0800

Thanks all, I usually avoid Pepto b/c it sucks, but I live in the ghetto and had to go with whatever the bodega had behind the counter (which included expired immodium, which I avoided). I'll see if the pharmacist at my local drug store has an opinion, but I think I'll take it.

By: chesty_a_arthur

chesty_a_arthur — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 06:49:33 -0800

If you're in the US and have insurance, they probably have a nurse on call hotline (check the back of your insurance card.) I can imagine that you might not want to leave your house, under the circumstances.

By: Liosliath

Liosliath — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 07:04:46 -0800

A couple of weeks ago, I was feeling exactly like you were, and found this comment by Mid.

"When I asked my doctor the same question years ago, he strongly advised me to take Immodium. He said that the "get it out of your body" school of thought is seriously wrong -- having diarrhea does not make a bacterial or viral infection magically pass out of you. The real threat is dehydration, which Immodium will help stop.

Also, if this goes on for a few days, I think it's doctor time for you (if it isn't already). As noted, it's possible you have some sort of parasite that could get worse.
posted by Mid at 7:42 AM on February 22, 2006"

I took the Immodium, and I'm glad I did.

By: watercarrier

watercarrier — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 07:11:32 -0800

It depends on your symptoms - was it something you ate or is it recurrent - regardless - it's a bandaid on a symptom. Relative to another thread about this.....

By: gramcracker

gramcracker — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 08:06:37 -0800

"When I asked my doctor the same question years ago, he strongly advised me to take Immodium. He said that the "get it out of your body" school of thought is seriously wrong -- having diarrhea does not make a bacterial or viral infection magically pass out of you. The real threat is dehydration, which Immodium will help stop.

Just because diarrhea might not get badness out of your body does NOT mean that slowing down your bowels with Immodium is somehow better for you. Immodium is over the counter for reason: it's safe for most people to take most of the time. But would I ever recommend it to a patient not even knowing what their symptoms or other illnesses or allergies are? Never. Just a setup for badness.

By: bondgirl53001

bondgirl53001 — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 14:04:46 -0800

Not if your symptoms are the result of food poisoning. Then it's just going to make it worse. I speak from experience.

By: Liosliath

Liosliath — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 16:01:22 -0800

Oh fercrissakes. Take it for a day. Like the newbie resident says, it's OTC. If you're not feeling better the next day, then maybe it's time to go see a doc.

By: gesamtkunstwerk

gesamtkunstwerk — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 18:20:36 -0800

I always start with a half dose of immodium, just because it can work, er, too well on me. I wouldn't hesitate to take it.

If you have serious cramps or a fever, get to a doctor or an emergency room.

By: Mavri

Mavri — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 15:53:24 -0800

I didn't have any warning symptoms or danger signs for doctor or ER, and I knew when I asked this question that I have no bad reaction to Immodium. It was specifically the interaction of Immodium right after Pepto that I was curious about. The pharmacist said it was fine, I took it, my large intestine has not melted or exploded as a result, so thanks everybody for your advice!