Opioid receptors are also located in the brain stem, which controls important processes, such as blood pressure, arousal, and breathing. Other opioids, such as certain prescription pain relievers and heroin, bind to and activate opioid receptors in many areas of the brain, especially those involved in feelings of pain and pleasure. However, when taken in large amounts and combined with other substances, it may cause the drug to act in a similar way to other opioids. Loperamide is an opioid designed not to enter the brain. Repeatedly seeking to experience that feeling can lead to addiction-a chronic relapsing brain condition characterized by inability to stop using a drug despite damaging consequences to a person's life and health. When taken in large doses, DXM causes a depressant effect and sometimes a hallucinogenic effect, similar to PCP and ketamine. How do these OTC medicines affect the brain?ĭXM is an opioid without effects on pain reduction and does not act on the opioid receptors. It is unclear how often this drug is misused. When misusing loperamide, people swallow large quantities of the medicine. Loperamide is an anti-diarrheal that is available in tablet, capsule, or liquid form. These medicines are often misused in combination with other drugs, such as alcohol and marijuana. DXM may be swallowed in its original form or may be mixed with soda for flavor, called "robo-tripping" or "skittling." Users sometimes inject it. OTC medications that contain DXM often also contain antihistamines and decongestants. The most common sources of abused DXM are "extra-strength" cough syrup, tablets and gel capsules. There are two OTC medicines that are most commonly misused.ĭextromethorphan (DXM) is a cough suppressant found in many OTC cold medicines. What are some of the commonly misused OTC medicines? In some states, only people 18 years of age or older can buy pseudoephedrine. A prescription is not needed in most states, but in states that do require a prescription, there are limits on how much a person can buy each month. For this reason, products containing pseudoephedrine are sold "behind the counter" nationwide. If possible, use weight to dose otherwise, use age.Īdults and children 12 years and over: 2 caplets after the first loose stool 1 caplet after each subsequent loose stool but no more than 4 caplets in 24 hours.Ĭhildren 9-11 years (60-95 lbs): 1 caplet after the first loose stool 1/2 caplet after each subsequent loose stool but no more than 3 caplets in 24 hours.Ĭhildren 6-8 years (48-59 lbs): 1 caplet after the first loose stool 1/2 caplet after each subsequent loose stool but no more than 2 caplets in 24 hours.Ĭhildren under 6 years (up to 47 lbs): ask a doctor.Pseudoephedrine, a nasal decongestant found in many OTC cold medicines, can be used to make methamphetamine. Drink plenty of clear fluids to help prevent dehydration caused by diarrhea.1 aluminum lake, hypromellose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol, pregelatinized starch. Inactive ingredients: anhydrous lactose, carnauba wax, D&C yellow no. What’s InsideĪctive ingredient (in each caplet): Loperamide HCl 2 mg. Uncomplicated (non-serious): Cramps or bloating of the abdomen, urgency to have a bowel movement, watery, thin, or loose stools and vomiting are some of the symptoms.Ĭomplicated: In addition to the symptoms of uncomplicated diarrhea, fever, blood or mucus in the stool and weight loss can occur with this type of diarrhea and may be a sign of a serious illness. Infections and drugs may be the cause of secretory diarrhea.Įxudative: Blood and pus are present in this type of diarrhea, which occurs with diseases such as Crohn’s disease, some infections, and ulcerative colitis. Secretory: The body releases water into the body when it shouldn’t, causing diarrhea. Instead it draws water from the body causing the stool to be loose and watery. A common cause of this is sorbitol, a sugar substitute, which is not absorbed by the body. Osmotic: This type of diarrhea is due to water being drawn into the bowel from the body due to something in the bowel itself. Usually not serious, it will typically last two or three days and is normally treated with an over-the-counter medication. GoodSense® Anti-Diarrheal is a gluten-free product that comes in small, easy-to-swallow caplets.ĭiarrhea is a loose and watery bowel movement, and very common as many people may have it once or twice a year. Don’t Let Diarrhea Keep You On the SidelinesĬompare to the active ingredient in lmodium® A-D. The active ingredient in GoodSense® Anti-Diarrheal is Loperamide HCI 2 mg and may be used to control symptoms of diarrhea (including Travelers’ Diarrhea) in adults and children 6 years and over.
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