Atropine And Diphenoxylate Description

Generic Name: ATROPINE and DIPHENOXYLATE

Pronunciation: (a' troe peen) (dye fen ox' i late)

Trade Name(s): Logen, Lomenate, Lomotil

Why it is prescribed: This combination of drugs relaxes the muscles of the digestive tract and decreases the motion of the stomach and intestines. It is used to relieve diarrhea.

When it is to be taken: Atropine with diphenoxylate is usually taken four times a day by adults (at evenly spaced intervals between arising in the morning and going to bed). It is sometimes taken as needed after loose bowel movements, with a limit to the number of doses taken per day. Do not take this medication more often than every three hours. It begins to take effect within one hour and continues to work for three to four hours. After your diarrhea is controlled, you may be told to take atropine and diphenoxylate only once a day. Follow the instructions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor to explain any part that you do not understand.

How it should be taken: Atropine and diphenoxylate comes in the form of tablets and oral liquid. Your prescription label tells you how much to take at each dose; do not take more of the drug or take it more often than prescribed. The usual adult dose is two tablets. The dose taken by children depends on the child's age. The liquid comes in a container with a special dropper. Use the dropper to measure the exact dose. Atropine and diphenoxylate comes in the form of tablets and oral liquid. Your prescription label tells you how much to take at each dose; do not take more of the drug or take it more often than prescribed. The usual adult dose is two tablets. The dose taken by children depends on the child's age. The liquid comes in a container with a special dropper. Use the dropper to measure the exact dose.

Special Instruction:
1. If this medication does not control your diarrhea within two days, contact your doctor.
2. Chances are that it will not work at all.
3. Do not give this medication to children under two years of age.
4. Atropine with diphenoxylate makes some people drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive a car or operate dangerous machinery until you know this drug affects you.
5. If you forget to take a dose and if still have diarrhea, take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. Take any remaining doses for that day at evenly spaced intervals. If you do not still have diarrhea, omit the forgotten dose completely and take your next dose on schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Side Effects:
1. Thirst, dry mouth, loss of appetite, stomach cramps and vomiting can occur.
2. If you have constipation, ask your doctor about stopping the medication. This side effect occurs when too much drug is taken or when it is taken for too long.

Other Precautions:
1. Alcoholic beverages may increase the drowsiness caused by atropine and diphenoxylate. Before taking atropine and diphenoxylate, tell your doctor what prescription and nonprescription drugs you are taking, especially monoaminooxidase inhibitors (isocarboxazid, phenelzine, and tranylcypromine); narcotic cough or pain relievers; and sleeping pills, transquilizers, or muscle relaxants.
2. Atropine and diphenoxylate can affect certain medical conditions.
3. Tell your doctor if you have alcoholism, chronic lung disease, colitis, or liver disease (including cirrhosis and jaundice).
4. Before surgeries, including dental surgery, tell the doctor that you are taking this drug.
5. Diphenoxylate can be habit-forming. Stopping the medication suddenly after taking high doses or after taking it over a long time may cause withdrawal.
6. Symptoms of withdrawal include muscle cramps, stomach cramps, unusual sweating, nausea and vomiting, and shaking or trembling.
7. Pregnant or breast-feeding women should inform their doctors. Diphenoxylate passes from a mother to her baby through the milk.
8. Taking too much of this drug can be dangerous. Signs of overdose include dryness of the skin, nose, and mouth; flushing; fever; rapid heartbeat; rapid heartbeat; rapid back-and forth movements of the eyes; pinpoint pupils; difficulty breathing; drowsiness; and convulsions.
9. If you or your children take an accidental overdose, call your doctor or poison control center immediately.
10. Do not allow anyone else to take this medication.

Storage Conditions: Keep this medication in the container it cam in and out of the reach of children. Store it at room temperature. Do not freeze the liquid form. Keep this medication in the container it cam in and out of the reach of children. Store it at room temperature