Lomotil

Lomotil is the trade name of a popular oral anti-diarrhoeal drug in the United States, manufactured by Pfizer.

Its active ingredients are diphenoxylate and atropine. Diphenoxylate is anti-diarrhoeal and atropine is anticholinergic. Diphenoxylate is chemically related to the narcotic drug meperidine. Atropine is used to treat diarrhoea that is not caused by infection with bacteria. The medication works by slowing down the movement of the intestines.

The inactive ingredients of Lomotil are cherry flavor, citric acid, ethyl alcohol 15%, FD&C Yellow No. 6, glycerin, sodium phosphate, sorbitol, and water.

Other trade names for the same therapeutic combination are Lofene, Logen, Lomanate and Lonox, among others. In other countries, Lomotil may have other names.

Contraindications

Absolute contraindications for Lomotil are:

  • Allergy to diphenoxylate or atropine
  • Presence of jaundice
  • diarrhoea associated with pseudomembranous enterocolitis, diarrhoea caused by antibiotic treatment, or diarrhoea caused by enterotoxin-producing bacteria.

    Interactions

    Interactions with other drugs:

  • Sedatives
  • Barbiturates
  • Antidepressants (eg. Elavil, Prozac, Paxil)
  • Tranquilizers (eg. Valium, Xanax)
  • Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (eg. Nardil, Parnate)

    diarrhoea that is caused by some antibiotics such as cefaclor, erythromycin or tetracycline can worsen with Lomotil.

    Safety

    The drug combination is generally safe in short-term use and with recommended dosage. Long-term use may present problems of mild drug dependency. The dosage should be reduced after 48 h.

    Lomotil may cause several side-effects, such as dry mouth, headache, constipation and blurred vision. Since it may cause also drowsiness or dizziness, Lomotil should not be used by motorists, operators of hazardous machinery, etc. It is not recommended for children under two years of age.

    Toxicity

    Lomotil may cause serious health problems when overdosed. Signs and symptoms of adverse effects may include any or several of the following: convulsions, respiratory depression (slow or stopped breathing), pinpoint or dilated eye pupils, nystagmus (rapid side-to-side eye movements), erythema (flushed skin), gastrointestinal constipation, nausea, vomiting, paralytic ileus, tachycardia (rapid pulse), drowsiness, coma and hallucinations. Symptoms of toxicity may take up to 12 hours to appear.

    Treatment of Lomotil overdose must be initiated immediately after diagnosis and may include the following: emesis (induced vomiting), gastric lavage, ingestion of activated charcoal, laxative and a counteracting medication (narcotic antagonist).

    Prompt and thorough treatment of overdose leads to a favorable outcome. After a narcotic antagonist is given, recovery is usually within 24 to 48 hours. Children are at risk of a very poor outcome and must be kept for observation.

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