[kach22i]

UPDATE: June 11, 2018

Published 12:26 p.m. CT Feb. 28, 2018

Anti-diarrhea meds are an opioid. People use them to get high.
https://www.news-leader.com/story/news/local/ozarks/now/2018/02/28/anti-diarrhea-meds-opioid-people-use-them-get-high/380798002/

January 30, 2018
FDA wants to curb abuse of Imodium, 'the poor man's methadone'
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/to-your-health/wp/2018/01/30/fda-wants-to-curb-abuse-of-imodium-the-poor-mans-methadone/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.fd4ceb4804fc

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, these products 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 loperamide, experts say, as prescription opioids become harder to obtain because of changes in legislation and regulation.

The FDA said it has asked manufacturers to refashion their packages to contain only enough medication for short-term use. A single package, for example, might contain eight 2-milligram capsules, enough for two days. The agency also wants makers to use “unit dose packaging,” such as blister packs that must be individually unpeeled per dosage......................

January 31, 2018, 12:58 PM
FDA cracks down on abuse of anti-diarrhea medication
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/fda-cracks-down-on-abuse-of-anti-diarrhea-medication/

As part of its efforts to combat the opioid epidemic, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration is asking manufacturers of over-the-counter anti-diarrhea treatments to change the way they package their products. The FDA says the voluntary measures are needed to curb the growing abuse of loperamide – sold under the brand name Imodium A-D, as well as store brands and generics – which is used by some suffering from opioid addiction as a potential way to manage withdrawal or maintain a high.

February 10, 2018
Drug War Update: Aspirin an ally, Imodium Not So Much
https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/drug-war-update-aspirin-ally-imodium-not-so-much/

Experts say it takes an enormous dose of anti-diarrhea medication to get high. Addicts have been found to be popping anywhere from 50 to 300 pills per day.

According to a 2016 study published in the Annals of Emergency Medicine, Imodium A-D, in massive doses, works in the body the same way as heroin, morphine, and oxycodone. However, Imodium A-D is a cheaper alternative since some big box stores sell 400 tablets for less than $10.

“Folks that are desperately addicted, folks that are looking to stave off withdrawal symptoms will do whatever it takes sometimes, really extreme things,” Dr. Jeffrey Reynolds, of the Family and Children’s Association, told CBS New York at the time that study was published. “So in the scheme of things, taking 300 pills is not unheard of.”

I thought it was Fake News when I stumbled upon the news by accident, but checked a variety of sources.