It’s a medicine that might be sitting in your cabinets, and one the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is now looking into - Imodium and other anti-diarrhea medications.
As opioid addiction sweeps the country, those addicted to painkillers, like pills and heroin, are now turning to abusing these over-the-counter medications.
And it’s becoming a growing trend.
The problem
The active ingredient in Imodium and other anti-diarrhea medications is loperamide, which can offer a cheap high and stop withdrawals when consumed in large amounts.
“It’s meant to stop diarrhea, so in large doses it’s going to stop the whole GI system,” said Tama Sawyer, who oversees the University of Kansas Hospital Poison Control Center.
In March, the center fielded a phone call from a man who overdosed on 30 loperamides.
“He couldn’t get ahold of his heroin and then he ended up in the emergency room,” said Sawyer.
Why is this happening?
Anti-diarrhea medicine is cheap, legal and easy to buy in large quantities without raising suspicion. Unlike cough medication, no ID is required to purchase Imodium.
41 Action News traveled to different pharmacies and stores around the metro.
- Store A: 24 caplets sold for $4.09
- Store B: 48 caplets sold for $12.99
- Store C: 400 caplets sold for $7.59
When we purchased the packet of 400 caplets, no ID was required and no questions were asked.
How do you use it safely?
The drug is safe when used at recommended doses. There is no high and a low potential for abuse.
“At a therapeutic dose, it is completely safe. But you can’t take a large quantity,” said Sawyer. “Thirty is a large quantity.”
According to the warning labels on several bottles of anti-diarrhea medication 41 Action News purchased, the recommended doses are as followed:
- Adults and children 12 years and over: Should take no more than 4 caplets a day.
- Children 9 to 11 years: Should take no more than 3 caplets a day.
- Children 6 to 8 years: Should take no more than 2 caplets a day.
- Children under 6 years: Should ask a doctor before using.
What if you or someone you know overdoses?
The Poison Center at the University of Kansas Hospital is staffed 24/7. The center is responsible for all poison-related calls in the state of Kansas and Kansas City metro-area.
Need help? The emergency hotline is: 1-800-222-1222.
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Ariel Rothfield can be reached at Ariel.Rothfield@KSHB.com.
