Ask Opioid Users If They Are Taking Loperamide

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.

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Table of Contents

Infectious Diseases Incorporate Hep C Screening AND Treatment In Your Practice
Substance Use Disorder Ask Opioid Users If They Are Taking Loperamide
Infectious Diseases Avoid Quinolones For Uncomplicated UTIs
Statins Consider Generic Rosuvastatin When Drug Interactions Are A Concern
Chronic Pain Don't Use a Long-Acting Opioid for Initial Therapy
Calcium Channel Blockers Write For Generic Long-Acting Calcium Channel Blockers Versus A Specific Brand
Insomnia Consider Melatonin an Option for Sleep in Elderly Patients
Insulin Think of Most Concentrated Insulins as "Me-Toos" of the Original Forms
Anticoagulants Use Actual Weight to Dose LMWH in Obese Patients
Smoking Cessation Discourage Use Of E-Cigarettes
Travel Medicine Tell Travelers They Can Be Subject to Arrest for Bringing Sudafed to Mexico