Let’s just get it out there, poop happens to all of us. It is a normal part of life.
Whether traveling, indulging in too many sweets, or a stomach bug, diarrhea hits us all at some point in our life.
But, before you hit that bottle of anti diarrhea meds, you need to Get the Facts About The Ingredients in Your Poop Meds and be aware of what you are taking.
Did you know that the active ingredient in over the counter diarrhea relief medications could mimic the high of Opioids in large doses?
This post was sponsored by Influence Central as part of an Influencer Activation and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.
With the an epidemic of Opioid addiction going around, you can never be too cautious when it comes to a potentially dangerous situation.
Nearly 70% of travelers will suffer from diarrhea and children will have 5-7 episodes of diarrhea per year!
What do you go to when this happens?!
Most people head for the over the counter remedies, but before you do, here are the facts about your poop meds:
Table of Contents
The Active Ingredient is Loperamide
In most over the counter diarrhea relief medication, Loperamide is the main ingredient. If it is used correctly and at proper doses, it is completely safe.
However, if these medications are taken in large doses, there is a potential risk of abuse.
Here are the facts:
- This active ingredient mimics the effects or the high of opioids in large doses.
- The FDA has asked retailers to stop carrying large quantities of Loperamid products on their shelves.
- Loperamide has an effect on relieving symptoms, but it does not address the underlying cause of the diarrhea.
- More information can be found on the FDA website here.
So, with these facts in mind, how can you protect you and your family when using over the counter medication?
Be aware of Products Containing Loperamide
Make sure you know of any over the counter products that contain Loperamide.
You can check the back of the bottle to look for ingredients.
You can also ask the pharmacist to assist you in finding an anti diarrhea med without this active ingredient.
Keep All Medication Locked Up
If you must get over the counter anti diarrhea medication, make sure to keep it in a safe or a lock box away from children and pets.
This is a good habit for any medication you have.
Not only do we try to make parents aware of any potential danger, but with the advent of the internet, your kids are aware of the effects of these medications (especially teens and pre-teens).
Be Informed
Parents and consumers need to be aware of the potential for abuse of any over the counter products including those containing Loperamide.
Not only should you be aware of the effects of ingredients in these products, but it is important to be informed on what ways to get “high” teens have found.
Informing yourself is the best way to keep you and your family safe.
As with any medication, it is always important to do your research and know what is going on around you!
Have you found any other over the counter medications parents should be aware of?
Share your information in the comments below to keep others informed!
Check out these useful health related articles here; The Cycle of a Cold, Genetically Modified Organisms: What Exactley is GMO? and The Difference Between Sunscreen and Sunblock.
