• U.S. Brand Names: Lomotil®
• Canadian Brand Names: Lomotil®
• Pharmacologic Category: Antidiarrheal

• Diphenoxylate is used to treat diarrhea.
• Atropine prevents abuse of this medicine.
• Diphenoxylate slows movement through the gastrointestinal tract allowing more water to be reabsorbed.

How to take

• Take this medicine with or without food. Take with food if it causes an upset stomach.
• Follow directions given by healthcare provider. Do not use more than the maximum recommended daily dose.
• A liquid (solution) is available if you cannot swallow pills.
• Those who have feeding tubes can also use the liquid. Flush the feeding tube before and after medicine is given.
• Use the dropper provided to measure the medicine.
• Drink plenty of noncaffeine-containing liquid unless told to drink less liquid by healthcare provider.

Missed Dose

• This medicine is taken on an as needed basis.

Storage

• Store at room temperature.
• Protect from light.
• Protect tablets from moisture. Do not store in a bathroom or kitchen.

Avoid

• Do not give this medicine to a child younger than 2 years of age.
• If you have an allergy to diphenoxylate, atropine, or any other part of this medicine.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.
• If you have any of the following conditions: Diarrhea caused by infection, liver disease, or yellowing of the skin or eyes.

Precautions

• This medicine may be habit-forming with long-term use.
• Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.
• You may not be alert. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities until you see how this medicine affects you.
• Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor) or other medicines and natural products that slow your actions and reactions.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are breast-feeding.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.

Side Effects

• Dry mouth. Frequent mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help.
• Feeling lightheaded, sleepy, having blurred vision, or a change in thinking clearly. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities that require you to be alert or have clear vision until you see how this medicine affects you.

Monitoring

• Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?
• Dry mouth may cause an increase in cavities. Take good care of your teeth. See a dentist regularly.

Contact a healthcare provider

• If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center or emergency department immediately.
• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Any rash.
• No improvement in condition or feeling worse.

General Statements

• If you have a life-threatening allergy, wear allergy identification at all times.
• Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
• Most medicines can be thrown away in household trash after mixing with coffee grounds or kitty litter and sealing in a plastic bag.
• In Canada return any unused drugs back to the pharmacy. Also, visit http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/iyh-vsv/med/disposal-defaire-eng.php#th for more facts about the right way to get rid of unused drugs.
• Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, natural products, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).
• Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or in Canada to Health Canada's Canada Vigilance Program at 1-866-234-2345.
• Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.

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