Report Suspected Loperamide Misuse to FDA's MedWatch Program

July 2016

Please see the January 2018 FDA notice concerning new packaging for loperamide designed to limit abuse.

Abuse of OTC loperamide (Imodium A-D, etc) is skyrocketing...and is being linked to serious arrhythmias and deaths.

Loperamide used to be Schedule V. But it went OTC in the 1980s...since its abuse potential was thought to be very low.

Fast-forward to 2016 and loperamide has earned the nickname "poor man's methadone"...because high doses can lead to opioid-like effects.

Get concise advice on drug therapy, plus unlimited access to CE

Pharmacist's Letter includes:

12 issues every year, with brief articles about new meds and hot topics
200+ CE courses, including the popular CE-in-the-Letter
Quick reference drug comparison charts
Access to the entire archive

Subscribe Today!

Already a subscriber? Log in

Volume pricing available. Get a quote

Table of Contents

Infectious Diseases Recommend Avoiding Quinolones for Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infections
Substance Use Disorder Report Suspected Loperamide Misuse to FDA's MedWatch Program
Statins Consider Generic Rosuvastatin When Drug Interactions are a Concern
Hepatitis C Help Identify Patients With Hepatitis C
Travel Medicine Tell Travelers Flomax is the Name for an NSAID in Italy
Chronic Pain Recommend Avoiding Long-Acting Opioids When Starting Pain Treatment
Calcium Channel Blockers Don't Automatically Substitute Cardizem CD with Taztia XT
Insomnia Consider Melatonin an Option for Sleep in Elderly Patients
Insulin Point Out Most Concentrated Insulins are "Me-Toos" of the Original Forms
Anticoagulants Recommend Using Actual Weight to Dose Enoxaparin in Obese Patients
Smoking Cessation Discourage Use Of E-Cigarettes
Communication Explain the "Why" to Encourage Patients to Talk Openly