Getting high from Imodium?

[Deb]

http://www.al.com/news/index.ssf/2018/0 ... m_fda.html

The Food and Drug Administration is asking manufacturers of over-the-counter anti-diarrhea treatments to change the way they package their products in an effort to curb abuse by people with drug addictions.

Commissioner Scott Gottlieb said in a statement Tuesday that the agency was taking the "novel" action because of growing concerns that abuse of Imodium A-D and similar medications was adding to the death toll of the nation's opioid epidemic.

The products, readily available in supermarkets and drugstores, are safe when used at the recommended maximum daily dose of four 2-milligram tablets. But in large quantities, the agency warned, they can cause dangerous, irregular heartbeats and other problems potentially resulting in death.

Loperamide, the generic name for the anti-diarrheal agent involved, is sometimes referred to as "the poor man's methadone." In large quantities it induces a cheap, mild high and relieves withdrawal symptoms for drugs like hydrocodone, morphine or heroin. People with addiction problems increasingly are turning to the drug, experts say, as prescription opioids become harder to obtain because of changes in legislation and regulation.

[arizwldcat]

Grrrrr. Time to stock up. I bought some at Costco yesterday.

[Erica P-G]

That's incredible!!

Luckily I haven't had to use that in a long time, I have some on hand....but didn't realize in my wildest dreams that it would have that kind of effect on people

[jlbattin]

That's just crazy. My husband just shared that with me. He works for the FDA.

I think I'll go to Walgreen's and buy a couple of boxes, just in case.

[jessica329]

Way to ruin it for those of us that really need it

[jlbattin]

My hubby and I were in Costco tonight and noticed that the Kirkland brand has a sign on it that says "Limited to 1 per family". Not sure what that means really. I suppose you can buy one today and one tomorrow and whenever, but they have restricted what you can buy.