$Unique_ID{BRK01934}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{DIPHENOXYLATE AND ATROPINE COMBINATION}
$Subject{Diphenatol (Rugby)
diphenoxylate hydrochloride with atropine sulfate (various manufacturers)
Lofene (Lannett)
Logen (Goldline)
Lomanate (Barre)
Lomotil (Searle)
Lonox (Geneva Generics)
Lo-Trol (Vangard)
Low-Quel (Halsey)
Nor-Mil (Vortech)}
$Volume{}
$Log{}

Copyright (C) 1991 Publications International, Ltd.


DIPHENOXYLATE AND ATROPINE COMBINATION
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BRAND NAMES (Manufacturers):
     Diphenatol (Rugby)
     diphenoxylate hydrochloride with atropine sulfate (various manufacturers)
     Lofene (Lannett)
     Logen (Goldline)
     Lomanate (Barre)
     Lomotil (Searle)
     Lonox (Geneva Generics)
     Lo-Trol (Vangard)
     Low-Quel (Halsey)
     Nor-Mil (Vortech)
TYPE OF DRUG:
     Antidiarrheal (antispasmodic and anticholinergic)
INGREDIENTS:
     diphenoxylate and atropine
DOSAGE FORMS:
     Tablets (2.5 mg diphenoxylate and 0.025 mg atropine)
     Oral liquid (2.5 mg diphenoxylate and 0.025 mg atropine per 5-ml
       spoonful, with 15% alcohol)
STORAGE:
     Diphenoxylate and atropine combination tablets and oral liquid should be
       stored at room temperature in tightly closed, light-resistant
       containers.  Neither form of this medication should be frozen.

USES

     Diphenoxylate and atropine combination is used to treat severe diarrhea.
Diphenoxylate is related to the narcotic analgesics and acts by slowing the
movement of the gastrointestinal tract.  Small amounts of atropine are added
to this medication to prevent abuse of the narcotic diphenoxylate.

TREATMENT

     In order to avoid stomach upset, you can take this medication with food
or with a full glass of water or milk.
     The oral liquid form of this medication should be measured carefully
using a specially designed 5-ml measuring spoon.  An ordinary kitchen teaspoon
is not accurate enough.
     If you miss a dose of this medication, do not take the missed dose at
all; just return to your regular dosing schedule.  Do not double the next
dose.

SIDE EFFECTS

     Minor.

     Blurred vision, constipation, dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, flushing,
headache, loss of appetite, nervousness, sweating, or swollen gums.  These
side effects should disappear as your body adjusts to the medication.
     If you become constipated, exercise and drink more water (unless your
doctor directs you to do otherwise).
     To relieve mouth dryness, chew sugarless gum or suck on ice chips or a
piece of hard candy.
     If you feel dizzy or light-headed, sit or lie down for a while;
get up slowly from a sitting or reclining position, and be
careful on stairs.

     Major.

     Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or
particularly bothersome.  IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about
abdominal pain, bloating, breathing difficulties, depression, difficult or
painful urination, false sense of well-being, fever, hives, itching, numbness
in the fingers or toes, palpitations, rash, severe nausea, vomiting, or
weakness.

INTERACTIONS

     This medication interacts with several other types of medications:
     1. Concurrent use of this medication with central nervous system
depressants (such as alcohol, antihistamines, barbiturates, benzodiazepine
tranquilizers, muscle relaxants, narcotics, pain medications, and
phenothiazine tranquilizers) or with tricyclic antidepressants can cause
extreme drowsiness.
     2. A monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor (tranylcypromine, phenelzine,
isocarboxazid, pargyline) taken within 14 days of this medication can lead to
unpredictable and severe side effects.
     3. The side effects of the atropine component of this medication may be
increased by amantadine, haloperidol, phenothiazine tranquilizers,
procainamide, and quinidine.
     BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about any medications you are currently
taking, especially any of those listed above.

WARNINGS

     * Tell your doctor about unusual or allergic reactions you have had to
medications, especially to diphenoxylate or to atropine.
     * Tell your doctor if you now have or if you have ever had drug-induced
diarrhea, gallstones or gallbladder disease, glaucoma, heart disease, hiatal
hernia, high blood pressure, kidney disease, liver disease, lung disease,
myasthenia gravis, enlarged prostate gland, thyroid disease, or ulcerative
colitis.
     * If this drug makes you dizzy or drowsy, do not take part in any
activity that requires alertness, such as driving a car or operating
potentially dangerous equipment.
     * Before having surgery or any other medical or dental treatment, be sure
to tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking this medication.
     * Because this product contains diphenoxylate, it has the potential for
abuse and must be used with caution.  Tolerance develops quickly; do not
increase the dosage or stop taking the drug unless you first consult your
doctor.  If you have been taking large amounts of this medication for long
periods and then stop abruptly, you may experience a withdrawal reaction
(muscle aches, diarrhea, gooseflesh, runny nose, nausea, vomiting, shivering,
trembling, stomach cramps, sleep disorders, irritability, weakness, excessive
yawning, or sweating).  Your doctor may, therefore, want to reduce the dosage
gradually.
     * Check with your doctor if your diarrhea does not subside within two to
three days.  Unless your doctor prescribes otherwise, do not take this drug
for more than five days.
     * While taking this medication, drink lots of fluids to replace those
lost with the diarrhea.
     * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant.  Although this
medication has been shown to be safe in animals, its effects in humans during
pregnancy have not been thoroughly studied.  Also, tell your doctor if you are
breast-feeding an infant.  Small amounts of this medication may pass into
breast milk and cause excessive drowsiness in nursing infants.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
