Opioid addiction is one very serious problem in the United States. It’s a serious problem not only because it has grave consequences on the health of the addict, but also because it could push them to get to extreme lengths just to be able to continuously get their dose. Some of these addicts engage in prostitution, while others resort to robbery and stealing from their parents. Some others sort out the problem in a rather bizarre way. It’s easier, it’s legal, but it is extremely dangerous; they ingest an enormous quantity of loperamide, an anti-diarrhea drug.

Consuming loperamide every day is bad enough; but taking about 500 pills every single day is suicidal. Unfortunately, that is exactly what many Americans do to sort out their addiction. In 2016, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) raised an alarm warning that taking overdoses of loperamide, also known by its brand name Imodium, could cause serious heart problems. The FDA was clear in its warning: the over-the-counter medication has the potential to kill if taken in higher than recommended doses.

It is not clear whether American did not quite get this message, or their addiction is too strong that it makes them ignore such warnings. Consumption rate remains remarkably high and Americans continue to die from this problem. In fact, statistics show that most people who died of heart related problems in previous years, willfully engaged in Imodium overdose. Some people reportedly take high doses of the drug to deal with some withdrawal syndrome, but a good number of them do so to get their high.

Scientists say taking 50-500 tablets of loperamide every day can give the same effects like heroin. They however regret the fact that while you get high, your heart rate gets really low. The end result could be death.