Norimode

What is Norimode?

Norimode tablets contain the active ingredient loperamide hydrochloride and are prescribed for the treatment of diarrhoea.

It gets to work very quickly and can be taken for up to five days for effective relief in adults and children aged 9 and over.

To buy Norimode tablets, you must have a prescription. 

What is Norimode 2mg used for?

Norimode is used for the treatment of sudden flare ups of acute diarrhoea and longer lasting episodes (chronic diarrhoea). 

Diarrhoea causes your stools to become watery and makes you need to go to the toilet more frequently than you would normally. It can be very uncomfortable and cause you to feel sick.

Norimode works by slowing down an over-active bowel and reducing how often you need to go to the toilet, allowing you to go about your life as you normally would.

How does Norimode work?

Norimode contains loperamide hydrochloride, which is an anti-motility medicine. It works by slowing down food as it travels through the gut, which allows your body more time to draw in more water from the intestines. This makes your faeces firmer, meaning you will not need to empty your bowels as frequently, relieving diarrhoea.

Loperamide provides fast acting relief from diarrhoea, generally getting to work within one hour of being taken.

Why is Norimode recommended for diarrhoea?

Clinical studies have shown that loperamide works very quickly to provide full relief from diarrhoea in a wide range of people. 

It is considered a safe medicine for adults and children over the age of 9, having a minimal effect on the central nervous system. It is also considered a low risk of causing addiction. 

When should you not take Norimode?

Children under 9 years old must not take Norimode.

If you have any of the below conditions, you should consult your doctor before you start taking Norimode:

• Your diarrhoea is caused by inflammation of the gut as a result of antibiotic treatment
• You have diarrhoea that contains either yellow or green mucus or blood, while also suffering from a fever
• You are suffering from constipation or any other condition that is preventing you from having regular bowel movements
• You have an inflammatory bowel disease such as acute ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease
• Your diarrhoea is caused by an infection of the gut
• You are allergic to loperamide hydrochloride or any of the other ingredients listed
• You have had an allergic reaction to any other medicine you have previously used

Can you buy Norimode over the counter?

No, you must have a prescription from a doctor to be able to buy Norimode. It is not for sale over the counter.

Can you buy Norimode online in the UK?

This is a prescription-only medicine (POM), meaning you must have been prescribed it by a doctor. You can buy Norimode online from Medicine Direct, but first you will need to complete a confidential online questionnaire for one of our prescribers to review. This is to make sure that this medication is suitable for you to take.

If it is suitable for you, you can order Norimode from our online pharmacy. Order by 2pm and we can offer you next day delivery.

Medicine Direct is regulated by the General Pharmaceutical Council, which means that we can guarantee all of the medication we sell is approved for sale in the UK. Only order medicine online from regulated pharmacies, like Medicine Direct.

Norimode alternatives

There are various alternatives you can use instead of Norimode if this medication is not suitable for you.

Loperamide hydrochloride is the active ingredient in Norimode, and the generic version of this medicine is also available to buy from Medicine Direct. You do not need a prescription to order this medicine if you are suffering with short-term diarrhoea.

An over the counter medicine that can help with diarrhoea is Dioralyte. This medicine comes as a sachet that should be mixed with water to create a sweet-tasting drink. Dioralyte can be used by people of all ages. It works to prevent dehydration, which can occur due to loss of bodily fluids when you suffer from diarrhoea.

To view our full range of diarrhoea treatments, visit our Diarrhoea product page.

Norimode Dosage

Our pharmacists and prescribers follow NICE guidelines when prescribing Norimode.

Always read the patient information leaflet before you take any medicine.

Norimode tablets should be swallowed whole with a glass of water. They can be taken with or without food.

The normal dosage for adults is 2 tablets (4mg) to begin with. This will usually be followed by 1 tablet after you begin to notice firmer stools.

Children aged 9-17 years old will usually be instructed to take 1 tablet initially, which will then be followed by 1 tablet after each loose tool.

Do not take this medication for more than 5 days. If you have acute diarrhoea and your symptoms have not improved within 48 hours, go back to your doctor.

If your diarrhoea symptoms do not improve after your course of treatment ends, you should go back to the doctors.

Norimode Side Effects

In rare instances, it is possible for people taking this medication to experience more serious adverse effects.

You should contact your doctor or call 111 straight away if you experience any of the following reactions to Norimode:

• You lose consciousness
• The pupils in your eyes become smaller
• Abnormally increased muscle tension
• Your tongue has a painful or burning sensation
• Tiredness
• Enlargement of the large intestine - this can cause tenderness of the stomach, bloating and constipation
• Bloating of the stomach
• You have a blockage of the bowel
• You have difficulty coordinating movement
• You have a fever

In rare cases, you might experience a severe allergic reaction and require urgent treatment in a hospital.

If any of the below symptoms occur, go to A&E or call 999 immediately:

• You have swelling of the mouth, face, lips, throat or tongue
• You have tightness in your throat or chest
• You are wheezing
• You have a skin rash that is either peeling, blistering, itchy, red or swollen
• You are finding it difficult to breathe or speak

Please read the patient information leaflet, which will come with your medication, for full details on side effects. 

Norimode Warnings and Drug Interactions

Norimode may interact with other medications you are currently taking, either for diarrhoea or any other condition.

You should always make sure you inform your doctor of any other medicine you are already taking.

In particular, tell your doctor if you are already taking any of the following medicines:

• Diafix
• Diah-limit
• Diaquitte
• Diocalm ultra
• Dioraleze
• Entrocalm diarrhoea relief
• Imodium
• Lomodine
• Normaloe

This list is not exhaustive. For the full list of medications that may interfere with the effectiveness of Norimode, you should refer to the information leaflet that will come with your medicine.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

If you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant or are currently breastfeeding, you should speak to your doctor for more information before you start to use Norimode.

We recommend BUMPS for additional information on taking Norimode during pregnancy and breastfeeding. 

Norimode Ingredients:

The main active ingredient within this medicine is: Loperamide hydrochloride.

For a full list of the inactive ingredients, please read the Summary of Product Characteristics.

Norimode Pricing UK

Norimode FAQ's