When you want to stay healthy, you need to know about the products you take for various health issues. If you experience diarrhea, one example is Loperamide.

What Is Loperamide?

Loperamide is an oral medication used to control diarrhea. The most common brand name is Imodium. As the product is available over the counter, it does not require a doctor’s prescription. You can find it in any pharmacy, many grocery stores, and online.

What Is Loperamide Used For?

Sudden, uncomplicated diarrhea can be treated with Loperamide. Individuals who experience traveler’s diarrhea can also achieve relief with the product.

In addition to sudden diarrhea, it can be helpful in relieving diarrhea caused by inflammatory bowel disease. Chronic conditions in this category include ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease that affect the small intestine and colon.

However, it is not meant to be used for diarrhea from all causes. If you have diarrhea due to salmonella, E. coli, Clostridium difficile infection, or a similar bacterial infection, you should not use Loperamide. Even if the product reduces the diarrhea, dangerous bacteria can remain in your body. If you experience food poisoning, or another source of toxins, consult with your doctor immediately. Do not use an over the counter product.

Loperamide Side Effects

When used correctly to treat simple diarrhea, side effects are usually minor. You may experience abdominal cramping, constipation, nausea, dizziness, or feel tired or drowsy.

While serious side effects are rare, consult with your doctor immediately if you experience fainting or severe dizziness, an irregular or fast heartbeat, a sense of fullness in your stomach, pain, or severe constipation, vomiting, or nausea.

Loperamide Contraindications

If you have a serious medical condition or take any medications, ask your doctor before using this product. It can worsen some medical conditions, and drug interaction can occur.

Loperamide should not be given to children under three years of age.

Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not take Loperamide to control diarrhea.

You should also avoid the product if your diarrhea includes bloody stools, or if the diarrhea is accompanied by a fever.

Individuals in any of these categories who experience diarrhea should seek medical advice instead of using an over the counter product.

How Does Loperamide Work?

Although it is an opiate, it only works in your intestinal tract. It decreases the muscle activity in your intestines. When the contractions in your intestines are slowed down, you will have bowel movements that are less watery, and fewer bowel movements.

Is Loperamide Habit-Forming?

Unless you already have an addiction to opiods, you do not need to be concerned about dependency. However, if you experience severe diarrhea, or experience it frequently, you should consult with your health care provider to determine the cause. You may have an underlying medical condition that needs to be treated.

Diarrhea is a fact of life for most people. In most cases, though, it does not occur often and is usually not severe. Most adults and older children can safely use it on an occasional basis. You can be free from diarrhea, and have a comfortable, productive day.

This is one of the substances that caused UFC fighter Jon Jones to fail his drug test. Him and a few other big names were accused of taking performance enhancing drugs around the same time, and this is a recurring theme with UFC fighters.

Letrozole is an FDA-approved prescription medication primarily used to treat breast cancer in women who are postmenopausal. Its off-label uses include female fertility issues, gynecomastia, and endometriosis. The medication decreases the body’s female hormones.

Both of the substances found in Jon Jones’ system were medications for women, the other substance being Hydroxyclomiphene, a fertility medication which has since been banned by the USADA.

Side Effects Of Letrozole

Side effects from this medication can be minor or extremely serious. Consult with your physician immediately if you experience any unusual aches or pains, changes in your heartbeat, vaginal bleeding or discharge, chest pain, or vision changes.

You should also consult with your physician if you experience any symptoms that are unusual for you, even if they are minor.

Breast Cancer Treatment With Letrozole

Letrozole should not be used to treat breast cancer in women who have not completed menopause. It is considered appropriate treatment in certain situations.

For cancer that is hormone receptor positive, it can be used as an early-stage cancer treatment if other treatments have not been effective. It can also be used for advanced cases of cancer that has worsened after antiestrogen treatment, and in cases where the cancer has advanced locally or metastasized.

Is Letrozole Effective?

A number of studies have shown this medication is useful in treating certain types of breast cancer. One study showed it is more effective than Tamoxifen in increasing the amount of time before breast cancer returns, and lowering risks of cancer metastasizing.

Another study showed similar results for postmenopausal women who used this medication for five years, after they had used Tamoxifen for five years.

Letrozole Contraindications And Warnings

Your doctor should be aware of your medical history, as he may want to advise a different treatment if you have certain medical conditions. Examples include cardiovascular issues, blood vessel issues, liver conditions, decreased bone density, and high cholesterol.

As this medication can also cause drug interaction, inform your doctor if you are using any other prescription medications, over the counter products, herbal products, or vitamins.

This medication is absorbed through lungs and skin. For this reason, it should be kept away from pregnant women and children.

Letrozole is a prescription drug. It must be taken according to directions. You must never give your medication to anyone else, nor use another person’s medication. It should only be used when prescribed for you by your own physician.

Letrozole works by decreasing the estrogen produced by your body. It can reverse or slow breast cancer growth. While it is only effective for certain types of breast cancer, and should only be used to treat postmenopausal women, it can help many women live longer, healthier lives.

If you or a loved one has breast cancer, it is something to discuss with your personal physician. If he has not prescribed Letrozole, ask if this product could be right for you.

How Is This Considered a Performance Enhancing Substance?

It is also known to inhibit aromatase, which in turn is supposed to increase the level of testosterone in the body.