Antidiarrheal · ATC A07DA03
Loperamide
Imodium in the US
The international (INN) name. Pharmacists everywhere recognize it, even when the local brand differs (e.g. Imodium, Imodium akut, Fortasec).
Sold for: diarrhea and dehydration.
Needs a prescription. Many pharmacies have a doctor’s office next door that can examine you and prescribe on the spot for a small fee.
Lopemin is prescription-only. Over the counter, look for Tomedine Kowa or the Stoppa (ストッパ) range. These are brand families with more than one formulation, so confirm loperamide (ロペラミド) is the active ingredient on the pack.
Imodium 2 mg capsules are pharmacy-only: ask the pharmacist, no prescription needed.
Imodium Rapid melt tablets are sold over the counter; Imodium capsules need a prescription.