Guest: Tyler S. Oesterle, M.D., M.P.H. (@OesterleMD)

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D. (@ChutkaMD)

Opioid abuse remains a significant problem, and as law enforcement and regulatory agencies tighten access to prescription analgesics, individuals are seeking alternatives. It’s been discovered that when taken at very high doses, loperamide can produce similar effects to the opioid analgesics and the drug is inexpensive when compared to the price of both illicit and prescription opioids. As a result, loperamide abuse has become a significant problem. In this episode we discuss loperamide abuse with Tyler Oesterle, M.D., M.P.H., a psychiatrist at Mayo Clinic’s Rochester campus. We’ll review the typical central nervous system effects of high dose loperamide and the associated safety issues.

Specific topics:

• Current status of the opioid crisis in the U.S.

Connect with the Mayo Clinic’s School of Continuous Professional Development online at https://ce.mayo.edu/ or on Twitter @MayoMedEd.