When I was having bad cramping and spasms I somehow thought that Imodium A-D (Generic Name: loperamide (oral) (loe PER a mide) (Loperimide) was indicated. The nurses gave it to me. However I learned from one of the docs that while this is a terrific drug when UC is in remission, one must NEVER take it during a flareup.
What is toxic megacolon?
Anyone with UC or CD bad enough to be at risk for toxic megacolon should be hospitalized and closely monitored. This grave complication appears to be decreasing in frequency, which may reflect more effective treatment.
Use of opiates, opioids and/or antispasmodics may predispose to this complication. This is one of the reasons that these drugs should be used very carefully in both UC and CD.
