Loperamide (DB00836): A Comprehensive Pharmacological and Clinical Monograph

Section 1: Drug Identification and Physicochemical Properties

This section establishes the fundamental identity of loperamide, providing the necessary chemical, physical, and historical context for the subsequent pharmacological and clinical analysis.

1.1 Nomenclature and Identifiers

Loperamide is a synthetic small molecule drug identified across global databases by a standardized set of names and codes.[1] Its formal chemical name, as designated by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC), is 4-[4-(4-chlorophenyl)-4-hydroxypiperidin-1-yl]-N,N-dimethyl-2,2-diphenylbutanamide.[1] The primary identifier for this chemical entity in the Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) registry is the number 53179-11-6, which refers to the loperamide base.[1] The hydrochloride salt, the form in which the drug is most commonly manufactured and administered, is identified by the related CAS number 34552-83-5.[1]

In major drug and chemical databases, loperamide is cataloged under the DrugBank accession number DB00836, the PubChem Compound ID (CID) 3955, the ChEMBL ID CHEMBL841, and the FDA's Unique Ingredient Identifier (UNII) 6X9OC3H4II.[1] Its widespread use is reflected in a variety of synonyms and international nonproprietary names, including Loperamida (Spanish) and Lopéramide (French).[1] Commercially, it is best known by the brand name Imodium® but is marketed globally under numerous other trade names, such as Imodium A-D®, Kaopectate II®, and Pepto® Diarrhea Control, underscoring its status as a ubiquitous over-the-counter (OTC) medication.[1]

Table 1: Loperamide Chemical and Database Identifiers