Precautions
Initial dose: 2 tablets or 10 mL (5 mg of diphenoxylate), orally, 4 times a day. Maintenance dose: Once control is achieved, reduce dose to individual requirements, to as little as 2 tablets or 10 mL once a day. Maximum dose: 20 mg diphenoxylate per day. Comments: -Clinical improvement is usually seen within 48 hours.
How much diphenoxylate can you take in a day?
Diphenoxylate hydrochloride/atropine sulfate combination is available as the fixed-dose composition of 2.5 mg/0.025 mg. Diphenoxylate/atropine is available in both tablet and liquid preparation. Only the liquid preparation can be administered to children, and not the tablets.
How much diphenoxylate hydrochloride/atropine sulfate should I take?
Diphenoxylate helps stop diarrhea by slowing down the movements of the intestines. Diphenoxylate is chemically related to some narcotics and may be habit-forming if taken in doses that are larger than prescribed. If higher than normal doses of the combination are taken, the atropine will cause unpleasant effects.
What happens if you take too much atropine and diphenoxylate?
Diphenoxylate and atropine combination is used along with other measures (eg, fluid and electrolyte treatment) to treat severe diarrhea. Diphenoxylate helps stop diarrhea by slowing down the movements of the intestines. Diphenoxylate is chemically related to some narcotics and may be habit-forming if taken in doses that are larger than prescribed.
How is atropine and diphenoxylate used to treat diarrhea?
How much diphenoxylate atropine can I take?
Adults—At first, the dose is 5 milligrams (mg) (2 teaspoonfuls) three or four times a day. Then, your doctor may decrease your dose to 5 mg (2 teaspoonfuls) once a day, as needed.
How long does it take diphenoxylate atropine to work?
Schedule. Diphenoxylate and atropine (Lomotil®) is a prescription medication and is usually taken at home or given in a hospital to treat diarrhea. Improvement in symptoms should occur within 48 hours.
Can you take Lomotil every 4 hours?
When you start using Lomotil, take two tablets four times a day. Do not take more than eight tablets (20 mg of diphenoxylate) a day. Continue this dosage until your diarrhea starts to improve (stools become firmer), which should happen within 48 hours.
What happens if you take too much diphenoxylate?
Taking an overdose of this medicine may lead to unconsciousness and possibly death. Signs or symptoms of overdose include severe drowsiness, shortness of breath or troubled breathing, fast heartbeat, and unusual warmth, dryness, and flushing of the skin. This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy.
Can you take diphenoxylate long term?
Can you take Lomotil long term? Lomotil is not recommended to be used for more than 10 days for acute diarrhea. In some cases, Lomotil can be used for long-term use, especially for chronic diarrhea.
How strong is diphenoxylate?
Conversely, diphenoxylate is metabolized into difenoxin which is upwards of 250 times more potent than its parent-drug. This active metabolite readily crosses the BBB to produce depressive effects on the CNS, which in turn, produces depressive effects on the gut as well.
What happens if you take too much Lomotil?
Symptoms of overdose may include: severe drowsiness, muscle weakness, fast heartbeat, high fever, unusually fast/slow/irregular breathing, seizures, loss of consciousness. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose.
How often can you take diphenoxylate?
Diphenoxylate comes as a tablet and solution (liquid) to take by mouth. It is usually taken as needed up to 4 times a day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand.
How long does Lomotil stay in your system?
How long do the effects of this medicine last? Lomotil Tablet remains active in the body for about 4 to 6 hours.
Can you overdose diphenoxylate atropine?
An overdose of atropine and diphenoxylate can cause breathing problems and may result in death or permanent brain damage. Early overdose symptoms include weakness, blurred vision, slurred speech, feeling hot, fast heartbeats, slowed breathing, fainting, seizure, or coma.
Is diphenoxylate atropine an opioid?
Lomotil (diphenoxylate / atropine) is a controlled medication, because it contains diphenoxylate, which is an opioid medication. At smaller doses, it's used to treat diarrhea and does not cause pain-relieving effects like morphine at recommended doses.
Who should not take diphenoxylate atropine?
This medicine should not be used in children younger than 6 years of age because of the risk for respiratory depression (severe breathing problem) or coma (loss of consciousness).
How does atropine help with diarrhea?
This medication is used to treat diarrhea. It helps to decrease the number and frequency of bowel movements. It works by slowing the movement of the intestines.
Is diphenoxylate atropine an opiate?
Diphenoxylate is an opioid, which also contains atropine in its commercially available form as a deterrent to overdosing.
What are the side effects of diphenoxylate with atropine?
Common side effects may include:drowsiness, dizziness, feeling restless;headache;numbness in your hands or feet;depression, not feeling well;confusion, feelings of extreme happiness;red or swollen gums;dry mouth, nose, or throat;nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, loss of appetite; or.More items...
Is diphenoxylate atropine an opioid?
Lomotil (diphenoxylate / atropine) is a controlled medication, because it contains diphenoxylate, which is an opioid medication. At smaller doses, it's used to treat diarrhea and does not cause pain-relieving effects like morphine at recommended doses.
What is atropine and diphenoxylate?
Atropine affects the body in many different ways, such as reducing spasms in the bladder, stomach, and intestines.
How to avoid atropine?
Your reactions could be impaired. Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise, in hot weather, or by not drinking enough fluids.
How long does it take for atropine to cause side effects?
Some side effects may occur up to 30 hours after you take this medicine.
Can you overdose on atropine?
Keep atropine and diphenoxylate where a child cannot reach it. An overdose of atropine and diphenoxylate can be fatal to a child.
Can you share a medicine with a child?
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
Can diphenoxylate make you drowsy?
Using atropine and diphenoxylate with other drugs that make you drowsy can worsen this effect. Ask your doctor before using opioid medication, a sleeping pill, a muscle relaxer, cold or allergy medicine, or medicine for anxiety, depression, or seizures. Tell your doctor about all your other medicines.
Usual Adult Dose for Diarrhea
Initial dose: 2 tablets or 10 mL (5 mg of diphenoxylate), orally, 4 times a day Maintenance dose: Once control is achieved, reduce dose to individual requirements, to as little as 2 tablets or 10 mL once a day Maximum dose: 20 mg diphenoxylate per day Comments: -Clinical improvement is usually seen within 48 hours. -If no improvement is seen within 10 days, symptoms are unlikely to respond to further administration..
Usual Pediatric Dose for Diarrhea
2 years and older: Initial dose: 0.3 to 0.4 mg/kg of diphenoxylate, orally, in 4 divided doses Maintenance dose: Once control is achieved, reduce dose to individual requirements, to as little as one quarter of the initial daily dosage Maximum dose: 20 mg diphenoxylate per day Comments: -These doses are approximate; adjust downward according to nutritional status and degree of dehydration. -Reduce dose as soon as initial control of symptoms has been achieved. -If no response within 48 hours, this medicine is unlikely to be effective. -Use only the liquid medication in children under 13 years old; do not use tablets..
Precautions
Safety and efficacy have not been established in patients younger than 2 years. Consult WARNINGS section for additional precautions.
Other Comments
Patient advice: -Do not exceed the recommended dosage. -Keep out of reach of children and in a child resistant container. -Overdosage may cause severe respiratory depression and coma, possibly leading to permanent brain damage or death. -May cause drowsiness or dizziness; use caution regarding activities requiring mental alertness, such as driving or operating dangerous machinery. -May potentiate the effects of alcohol, barbiturates, and tranquilizers..
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
What happens if you take too much atropine?
Atropinism: If overdosage or abuse of this medication happens, a serious condition called “atropinism” can result. Because this medication has a subtherapeutic (very small) amount of atropine in it, there is a chance that it could cause symptoms associated with high doses of atropine if not taken as prescribed. These include hyperthermia (body temperature becomes too high), tachycardia (fast heart rate), urinary retention (unable to pee), flushing, and dryness of the skin and mucous membranes.
Where do I get this medication?
This medication is available through retail/mail order pharmacy. Your oncology team will work with your prescription drug plan to identify an in-network retail/mail order pharmacy for medication distribution. You can work with your provider’s office if this medication needs a prior authorization.
What is the best medicine for diarrhea?
Diphenoxylate and atropine is a medication (made up of two drugs) used to treat diarrhea (loose stool). It is often used as an adjunctive treatment, meaning it is used along with other medications to control diarrhea. This medication works by slowing the movement of the bowel and by preventing spasms in the muscles of the gut. If your cancer treatment is causing diarrhea, your provider may prescribe diphenoxylate and atropine to help manage it.
Is diphenoxylate covered by a prescription?
Diphenoxylate and atropine may be covered under your prescription drug plan. Patient assistance may be available to qualifying individuals without prescription drug coverage. Co-pay cards, which reduce the patient co-pay responsibility for eligible commercially (non-government sponsored) insured patients, may also be available. Your care team can help you find these resources if they are available.
Is diphenoxylate a liquid?
Diphenoxylate and atropine comes in tablet form and as a liquid solution to be taken orally (by mouth).
Can you overdose on diphenoxylate?
One part of this medication, diphenoxylate, is chemically similar to a narcotic medication (meperidine). The amount of diphenoxylate in this medication is so low that it does not produce the same effects as a narcotic and does not produce addiction. However, if overdosage happens or if diphenoxylate and atropine is misused, the effects could be similar to an overdose of a narcotic/opioid. Symptoms of an overdose of diphenoxylate and atropine include difficult or shallow breathing, coma, and lethargy. DO NOT share this medication or give it to someone else, as severe breathing problems and death can occur. This medication should not be given to children less than 6 years of age as cases of severe respiratory depression and coma can occur.
Can you drink alcohol while taking diphenoxylate?
You should not drink alcohol while taking diphenoxylate and atropine. You should not drive a car or operate heavy machinery until you know how this medication affects you.
How long does it take for diphenoxylate to work?
Don’t take more than eight tablets (20 mg of diphenoxylate) a day. Continue this dosage until your diarrhea starts to improve (stools become firmer), which should happen within 48 hours. Once your diarrhea starts to improve, your doctor may lower your dosage to as low as two tablets a day.
How old is too old to take imodium?
Lomotil is approved for adults and for children ages 13 years and older. Imodium can be used by adults and by children ages 2 years and older. However, for children ages 2 to 5 years old, it’s recommended you talk to a doctor before giving them Imodium liquid.
What is the best medicine for diarrhea?
Lomotil (diphenoxylate/atropine) treats diarrhea. It’s prescribed as an add-on treatment when a person is still having diarrhea even though they’re already taking something to treat it. Lomotil is approved for adults and for children ages 13 years and older. Diarrhea causes loose or watery stools that may be frequent.
What is the name of the medication that slows down digestion?
Lomotil belongs to a class of medications called anti-diarrheals. It works by slowing down digestion in the stomach and also relaxes the digestive (stomach) muscles.
