Why is imodium off the market

Imodium is the brand-name of loperamide: a drug that, if taken in gigantic quantities, can produce an opioid-like high — and present serious dangers to a person's health. More: A member of the Manson family needed help. So she wrote to an Evansville newspaper Webb. More: Grant takes proactive approach to opioid addiction in Evansville, statewide.

According to U. National Poison Data System reported a 90 percent spike in loperamide overdoses between and Abusing the drug can, naturally, lead to horrific constipation. But it can also wreak havoc on your heart — usually through irregular heartbeats, the New York Times reported in For example, a retail package could contain eight 2-milligram capsules — enough for two days.

He said the FDA also intends to reach out to distributors who sell loperamide online to ask for their cooperation in limiting the quantities sold. Glatter said he "applauds the FDA for adding restrictions to packaging that can help to protect teens and adults who abuse loperamide.

FDA takes aim at Imodium abuse. Ashley Welch. Please enter email address to continue. Loperamide acts on opioid receptors in the gut to slow the movement in the intestines and decrease the number of bowel movements.

It is safe at approved doses, but when much higher than recommended doses are taken, it can lead to serious problems, including severe heart rhythm problems and death. Patients and consumers should only take the dose of loperamide directed by your health care professionals or according to the OTC Drug Facts label, as taking more than prescribed or listed on the label can cause severe heart rhythm problems or death.

If you are using OTC loperamide and your diarrhea lasts more than 2 days, stop taking the medicine and contact your health care professional.

Seek medical attention immediately by calling if you or someone taking loperamide experiences any of the following, and tell health care professionals the person has been taking loperamide:. Health care professionals should be aware that using much higher than recommended doses of loperamide, either intentionally or unintentionally, can result in serious cardiac adverse events, including QT interval prolongation, Torsades de Pointes or other ventricular arrhythmias, syncope, and cardiac arrest.