Theft Of Anti-Diarrhea Medicine In Milford Recalls Drug Trend

MILFORD, MA — Milford police recently asked for the public's help identifying a man they say stole a popular over-the-country anti-diarrhea medicine from a local CVS, recalling a wave of thefts of similar drugs before manufacturers reduced the amount of a key ingredient.

The man stole Imodium from the South Main Street CVS recently, according to Milford police. He has since been identified, police said.

"Imodium is often used to treat upset stomachs and to manufacture illicit drugs," Milford police said in a Facebook post last week.

Medications like Imodium contain loperamide, which some people suffering from opioid withdrawal use to manage symptoms, according to a 2018 study in the journal Annals of Emergency Medicine. The study found two cases where people died due to cardiac arrest after taking too much of the drug. At high doses — many times more than what people take to manage gastrointestinal distress — loperamide can simulate opioids.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration took steps to limit the amount of loperamide available per-package in 2019 to 48 grams, and the manufacturer advises using a maximum of 16 milligrams per day. Illicit use can be as high as 100 times that amount.

If you or someone you know is suffering from addiction, Massachusetts has a help line available at 1-800-327-5050 or by texting "HOPE" to 800327. Chris' Corner in Milford is also available locally.