IMODIUM vs KADIAN

Independent side-by-side comparison.

Rated against independent regulatory sources·Last updated August 18, 2026·How we rate

Possible drug interaction. IMODIUM and KADIAN are different prescription medicines. Combining or switching between them can cause interactions — talk to a pharmacist or prescriber before making changes. This page is not medical advice.

Attribute	IMODIUM	KADIAN
Rating	New	72/100
Pharmacy pays	$0.05 /mL	$2.61 /mL
Type	RX	RX
Active ingredient	LOPERAMIDE HYDROCHLORIDE	MORPHINE SULFATE
Manufacturer	J and J Consumer Inc	Allergan
Dosage forms	Capsule, Solution	Capsule, extended release
Drug class	Opioid Agonist	Opioid Agonist
Boxed warning	None	None
Half-life	about 10.8 hours (range 9.1 to 14.4 hours)	about 2 hours
Treats	Functional Colonic Diseases, Diarrhea, Bacillary Dysentery	Dyspnea, Intractable Pain

imodium kadian

Rating

New

72/100

Pharmacy pays

$0.05 /mL

$2.61 /mL

Type

Active ingredient

LOPERAMIDE HYDROCHLORIDE

MORPHINE SULFATE

Manufacturer

J and J Consumer Inc

Allergan

Dosage forms

Capsule, Solution

Capsule, extended release

Drug class

Opioid Agonist

Boxed warning

None

Half-life

about 10.8 hours (range 9.1 to 14.4 hours)

about 2 hours

Treats

Functional Colonic Diseases, Diarrhea, Bacillary Dysentery

Dyspnea, Intractable Pain

Frequently asked questions

Which is cheaper, Imodium or Kadian?

Imodium costs pharmacies less to acquire — about $0.05 vs $2.61 per ml, per the CMS NADAC survey. That gap is in the pharmacy's cost of goods, not necessarily in what you pay: your price is set afterwards by your insurer and the pharmacy.

What is the difference between Imodium and Kadian?

Imodium contains Loperamide Hydrochloride, while Kadian contains Morphine Sulfate — they have different active ingredients.

Ratings are based on FDA regulatory (recall-safety) data. This comparison is for general reference only — not medical advice. Always consult a licensed professional before choosing or switching a medication.