What is Kaopectate?
Kaopectate is an anti-diarrheal medication that comes as a liquid, tablet, or chewable tablet to be taken by mouth, with or without food. It is sometimes used to treat indigestion, nausea, and stomach ulcers as well. Kaopectate claims to quickly relieve urgency, gas, and cramping and is effective on diarrhea from bacteria, stomach viruses, and other causes.
Disclaimer
The information included in this page is not a substitute for medical advice. The list of side effects may not include all side effects as drugs can affect all people differently. Any dosage information may not include all dosage information. It is important to discuss with a medical professional that knows your medical history well which dosage is right for you and if there are any potential risks or possible side effects. Our goal is to provide relevant information but this page may not include all up-to-date information.
Kaopectate Dosage
Kaopectate dosage can vary based on formula, age, and symptoms. Here are the recommended dosages for the different types of Kaopectate:
Kaopectate Caplets:
- adults and children 12 years of age and older:
- 2 caplets (1 dose)
- swallow caplets with water; do not chew
- repeat dose every 1/2 hour to 1 hour as needed
- do not exceed 8 doses in 24 hours
- use until diarrhea stops but not more than 2 days
- children under 12 years: ask a doctor
- drink plenty of clear fluids to help prevent dehydration caused by diarrhea
Kaopectate regular Vanilla, Cherry, or Peppermint liquid:
- shake well immediately before each use
- only use pre-measured dose cup
- adults and children 12 years of age and older:
- 1 dose (30 mL) every 1/2 hour to 1 hour as needed
- do not exceed 8 doses (240 mL) in 24 hours
- use until diarrhea stops but not more than 2 days
- children under 12 years: ask a doctor
- drink plenty of clear fluids to help prevent dehydration caused by diarrhea
Kaopectate MAX Peppermint liquid
- shake well immediately before each use
- only use pre-measured dose cup
- adults and children 12 years of age and older:
- 1 dose (30 mL) every hour as needed
- do not exceed 4 doses (120 mL) in 24 hours
- use until diarrhea stops but not more than 2 days
- children under 12 years:
- ask a doctor
- drink plenty of clear fluids to help prevent dehydration caused by diarrhea
- swallow caplets with water; do not chew
- repeat dose every 1/2 hour to 1 hour as needed
- do not exceed 8 doses in 24 hours
- use until diarrhea stops but not more than 2 days
- children under 12 years:
- ask a doctor
- drink plenty of clear fluids to help prevent dehydration caused by
How long does kaopectate take to work?
Kaopectate begins working to control symptoms after the first dose by decreasing the flow of fluids and electrolytes into the bowel and reducing inflammation within the intestine. It may also kill the organisms that can cause diarrhea. Call your doctor if you still have diarrhea after 2 days of taking this medication.
Kaopectate vs Imodium
Depending on the formula you are taking, Kaopectate can have different main active ingredients – typically either bismuth subsalicylate in oral or chewable forms and imodium (also known as loperamide) as a tablet. These active ingredients work in different ways to achieve the same goal. Bismuth subsalicylate works by helping to slow the growth of bacteria that might be causing the diarrhea by preventing bacteria from binding and growing on the mucosal cells of the stomach.
This process provides many benefits, including preventing intestinal secretion, promoting fluid absorption, reducing inflammation, and promoting the healing of any present ulcer in the stomach. Imodium works differently by acting on mu-opioid receptors in the gut to slow down the movement of the gut, which in turn, slows down contractions in the intestines. This allows more time for fluids and nutrients to be absorbed back into the body, which makes the stool less watery and decreases the number of times you go to the toilet.
Kaopectate for Kids
Kaopectate is indicated for adults and children 12 years of age and older. Ask your doctor about use on children under 12 years of age, and keep the product out of reach of children. All Kaopectate labels include the following warning: Reye’s Syndrome: Children and teenagers who have or are recovering from chicken pox or flu-like symptoms should not use this product. When using this product, if changes in behavior with nausea and vomiting occur, consult a doctor because these symptoms could be an early sign of Reye’s Syndrome, a rare but serious illness.
Kaopectate for Dogs
Kaopectate’s website states that Kaopectate has not been tested or approved for use by pets. Please do not give Kaopectate to your pet or animal unless directed to do so by your veterinarian. However, though it is not designed for this purpose, the product can be carefully administered to canines as a short term solution under the right circumstances.
When using Kaopectate for dogs, it is best to use a conservative amount and give them plenty of water. Make sure to keep them under observation and stay attentive to potential side effects that can occur. A common problem with Kaopectate is the possibility of constipation which is often a result of too high a dose. Different color stools, usually darker or even black, are also a known side effect.
Dosage for Dogs
use in dogs can be tricky because it comes in different forms. For example, Multi Symptom Relief contains half (262mg) of the active ingredient compared to the Max version (525mg).
Best practice would be to consult your vet, but as a general rule of thumb, never exceed 1ml per pound of body weight and do not provide it more than 4 times daily. Kaopectate should not be used as treatment for dogs for more than 2 days