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By Kelly Young
Edited by Susan Sadoughi, MD, and André Sofair, MD, MPH
The FDA has approved changes to the packaging of certain over-the-counter loperamide medications.
Imodium A-D, Imodium Multi-Symptom Relief, and Be Health Loperamide HCl capsules will now come in cartons of 48 mg or less in an effort to limit the misuse of the antidiarrheal agent.
In addition, tablets and capsules will now be packaged in individual doses, the FDA announced Friday.
Loperamide acts on opioid receptors in the gut, and if taken at higher than recommended doses, it can lead to QT interval prolongation and death.
Comment
LINK(S):
FDA drug safety communication (Free)
Background: NEJM Journal Watch Emergency Medicine coverage of increasing reports of loperamide abuse (Your NEJM Journal Watch registration required)