Ask Dr. Nandi: FDA moves to curb abuse of common diarrhea drug

Here’s a sign that the opiate crisis has reached a concerning new level: addicts are now reaching for over the counter diarrhea medication to cop a buzz as they wean off of the harder stuff. The main ingredient in Imodium and other store-brand generics is called loperamide. It’s been called the “poor man’s methadone” because it can act like an opiate in high doses. Now, the Federal Drug Administration is moving to curb abuse of this drug.