Microcontaminants, which can be present in low concentrations in aqueous environmental matrices, are a growing problem, as they are difficult to remove using conventional wastewater treatment processes. The application of Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs) has been extensively studied to remove these types of organic pollutants from water. In this study, the degradation of pharmaceutical loperamide hydrochloride by artificial UV irradiation in the presence of H2 O2 was investigated. The treatment used appears to be suitable for rapid and complete removal of loperamide (30 mg/dm3 ) within 6 minutes of irradiation under optimal operating conditions. A considerable degree of loperamide mineralization was also attained at the end of the treatment. The evolution of low molecular weight organic acids, such as oxalic acid, formic acid, and acetic acid, was evidenced. The influence of typical components present in surface waters and wastewater effluents (HA, NO3 - , HCO3 - , Cl, SO4 2-) on the degradation rate of loperamide was investigated. The degradation of loperamide was negatively influenced by the presence of humic acid, nitrate, and bicarbonate, whereas the influence of chloride and sulphate was neglected. The evaluation of toxicity with the marine photobacterium Vibrio fischeri was performed to examine whether or not the hydroxyl radical-based treatment of loperamide leads to by-products with upgraded toxicity to aquatic organisms.