What are OTC Drugs?

According to the Addiction Center, over-the-counter (OTC) drugs are medications available without a prescription at drugstores or supermarkets. Abusing OTC drugs can lead to health problems including memory loss, kidney failure, heart problems and death.

Some commonly abused OTC medications include:

  • Cough medicines can cause hallucinations and a potent high when abused.

  • Pseudoephedrine is a stimulant and the active ingredient in many cold medicines. It is used to relieve nasal and sinus congestion from colds or allergies and may also relieve congestion.

  • Dimenhydrinate is used to treat motion sickness and vertigo.

OTC Drug Addiction

Learning to spot an OTC drug addiction can be difficult. OTC drugs like Tylenol and various cough medicines don’t carry the same dangerous image as illicit drugs like Heroin.

Some of the signs of an OTC drug addiction include continuing to use the drugs despite known consequences and spending an excessive amount of time or money using or getting them.

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Loperamide Addiction

  • According to WebMD, “Loperamide, the drug in Imodium, can be addictive and even lethal, especially at high doses. People with a history of opioid addiction may be more vulnerable to becoming addicted to loperamide.”

  • Loperamide is an antidiarrheal agent generally used to treat acute and chronic diarrhea. According to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), loperamide is safe at an over-the-counter maximum dose of 8 milligrams per day, or a prescription dose of 16 mg per day.

  • The 2017 article published in Annals of Emergency Medicine explains that, at high doses, loperamide can mimic the high of an opioid. Common side effects of loperamide may include:

    • Flatulence

    • Dry mouth

    • Stomach cramps

    • Dizziness

    • Drowsiness

    • Vomiting

    • Headache

    • Nausea

    • Constipation

    • Problems urinating