This post was sponsored by Influence Central as part of an Influencer Activation and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.

Did you know that one of the most common rules in foster care is that all medication(either OTC or prescription) has to be in a locked container?  Yes, it’s true. We have to keep everything in a locked container or cabinet and safe from little hands.  I currently use a large tool box with a padlock, but I know many people who have locking file cabinets or linen closets where they store medications and household chemicals.

You might ask why you need to lock up OTC medications such as vitamins, diarrhea medication and pain relievers. Well, the answer is simple all of the medications can be very dangerous if taken incorrectly. For example, in certain dosages the most common ingredient in diarrhea medication (loperamide), can can mimic the effects of opioids. There have been cases of teenagers using such products to get “high”. In loperamide does not directly address the underlying cause of the diarrhea; rather it may only have an effect of relieving symptoms. While the FDA has issued a letter asking retailers to stop selling large sizes of products that include loperamide, and some are complying, it is not mandatory yet.

Did you know: 70% of travelers will suffer from diarrhea (most adults will choose to ride it out) and children have 5-7 episodes per year on average. The most common way to resolve it is through over the counter remedies. Events like Halloween can leave kids stomachs feeling like a roller coaster due to an excess of sweets, so it’s best to be prepared and treat symptoms in an safe and effective manner.

Loperamide is completely safe when used in recommended doses and can be an effective way to treat the symptoms of diarrhea, however it DOES NOT treat the underlying cause of diarrhea. It is important to keep all medications including loperamide, in a locked container so that is safe from your children. According to this article, doctors are warning against this deadly trend of using anti-diarrhea drugs to get high.

For more information regarding the crackdown on opioid addiction, please check out this link from CNN.

It’s important to me that my kids stay happy and healthy, and if that means taking the extra step to lock up medication so that it doesn’t fall into the wrong hands, then this is what we will continue to do.