Dog · Canis lupus familiaris · typical adult weight 2.00–80.00 kg
Loperamide is dosed at 0.08–0.2 mg/kg PO q8-12h in dogs, per Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.803 (2026-08-01).. Loperamide is used in dogs for Acute noninfectious diarrhea, Non-infectious diarrhea. Routes documented in dogs: PO. A typical adult dog weighs 2.00–80.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 2 cited dose rules for Loperamide in dogs, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Imodium
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO | 0.08–0.2 mg/kg | q8-12h | 1-3 days max | Acute noninfectious diarrhea | Moderate | Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.803 (2026-08-01). |
| PO | 0.1–0.2 mg/kg | q8-12h | Short-term only | Non-infectious diarrhea | Moderate | Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.803 (2026-08-01). |
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Mu-opioid receptor agonist in GI tract, slowing motility and increasing segmental contractions. Increases fluid/electrolyte absorption.
CONTRAINDICATED in MDR1-mutant dogs (crosses BBB — severe CNS depression). Avoid in cats. Do not use in infectious diarrhea. May cause constipation, bloating, ileus.
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for dogs may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Loperamide dose ranges in dogs, with cited source references: PO 0.08–0.2 mg/kg q8-12h; PO 0.1–0.2 mg/kg q8-12h. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Loperamide in dogs: PO.
Cited course lengths for Loperamide in dogs include: 1-3 days max; Short-term only. Duration depends on the indication — match it to the specific dose rule in the table above.
Loperamide is indicated in dogs for: Acute noninfectious diarrhea, Non-infectious diarrhea.
These are general warnings for Loperamide across species; consult the dog dosing table above for species-specific guidance. CONTRAINDICATED in MDR1-mutant dogs (crosses BBB — severe CNS depression). Avoid in cats. Do not use in infectious diarrhea. May cause constipation, bloating, ileus.
Why a species-specific page? Loperamide pharmacokinetics differ across species: dose ranges, intervals, and route preferences are not interchangeable. Cross-extrapolation from canine doses is unsafe in dogs — the rules above are the citations specific to this species, not generic recommendations.
Sourced from published veterinary references; awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer. See our editorial process. Reference only — not veterinary advice.