Opioids
Loperamide (Imodium) Abuse
Street names: Imodium, Lope, Poor man's methadone, The super loperamide
Overdose? Act now. Call emergency services — say "unresponsive, not breathing". Give naloxone for opioid-like signs. Hotlines
⚡What it does
- At 100+ mg crosses into the brain: weak opioid calm, withdrawal relief for hours
- OTC, cheap, no prescription, no questions
⚠Key risks
- CARDIAC DEATH — the signature: mega-doses block cardiac sodium/potassium channels → arrhythmia, QT prolongation, sudden death. Multiple documented fatalities
- Not a safe withdrawal tool — the dose that stops withdrawal approaches the dose that stops the heart
- With P-gp inhibitors (quinidine, some antihistamines) brain penetration multiplies
- The 'loperamide challenge' online advice has killed people
✚Overdose signs
- Racing irregular heartbeat
- Fainting
- Seizures
- Sudden cardiac arrest
📋Quick facts
Also known asImodium, Lope, Poor man's methadone, The super loperamide
CategoryOpioids
Schedule / classOTC — unrestricted; bulk purchases monitored in some US states
Appearance2 mg anti-diarrhea tablets, blister packs; users take 50–300+ tablets
Street price~$5–$12 per pack of 18–42 tablets — the accessibility is the danger
Legal statusOTC everywhere; several US states restrict bulk sales; FDA issued warnings (2016, 2018)
Last updated2026-09-18
Sources: FDA, NIDA, PubMed
Category comparison — Opioids
| Substance | Class | Top risks | Street price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loperamide (Imodium) Abuse | OTC — unrestricted; bulk purchases monitored in some US states | CARDIAC DEATH — the signature: mega-doses block cardiac sodium/potassium channels → arrhythmia, QT prolongation, sudden death. Multiple documented fatalities; Not a safe withdrawal tool — the dose that stops withdrawal approaches the dose that stops the heart | ~$5–$12 per pack of 18–42 tablets — the accessibility is the danger |
| Suboxone (buprenorphine/naloxone) | Schedule III | Dependence (milder than full opioids); Precipitates withdrawal if taken too soon after other opioids | ~$10–$25 per 8 mg film |
| Methadone | Schedule II | Accumulates over days — overdose risk highest in first 2 weeks; Fatal mixing with benzos/alcohol | ~$10–$40 per 40 mg diskette |
Street prices are regional estimates. Potency and cuts vary constantly.
?Frequently asked questions
What does Loperamide (Imodium) Abuse look like?
2 mg anti-diarrhea tablets, blister packs; users take 50–300+ tablets
What are the signs of a Loperamide (Imodium) Abuse overdose?
Racing irregular heartbeat; Fainting; Seizures Call emergency services immediately and give naloxone if available — it reverses opioid overdoses.
How addictive is it?
CARDIAC DEATH — the signature: mega-doses block cardiac sodium/potassium channels → arrhythmia, QT prolongation, sudden death. Multiple documented fatalities Dependence can develop with regular use.