What is atropine and diphenoxylate?
Atropine affects the body in many different ways, such as reducing spasms in the bladder,
stomach, and intestines.
Diphenoxylate is an antidiarrheal medication.
The combination of atropine and diphenoxylate is used to treat diarrhea.
Atropine and diphenoxylate may also be used for other purposes not listed in this
medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking atropine and diphenoxylate?
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to atropine or diphenoxylate, or if you
have:
-
jaundice (yellowing of your skin or eyes caused by a liver
disorder);
-
diarrhea that is caused by bacteria; or
-
diarrhea caused by taking an antibiotic.
Before taking atropine and diphenoxylate, tell your doctor if you are
allergic to any drugs, or if you have:
-
blocked intestines;
-
an intestinal disorder such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn's
disease;
-
liver disease;
-
kidney disease;
-
heart disease, heart rhythm problems, or high blood
pressure;
-
glaucoma;
-
Down's syndrome;
-
a thyroid disorder;
-
problems with urination;
-
an enlarged prostate;
-
asthma or other lung problems; or
-
if you are dehydrated;
If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment
or special tests to safely take atropine and diphenoxylate.
FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell
your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
Atropine and diphenoxylate may pass into breast milk and could harm a nursing
baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Do not give this medication to a child younger than 2 years old.
How should I take atropine and diphenoxylate?
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in
larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on
your prescription label.
If you are giving this medication to a child, pay close attention to the dose. An
atropine and diphenoxylate overdose is more likely to occur in a child, and
can cause
breathing problems or result in death or permanent brain damage.
Use only the liquid form of this medicine in a child younger than 13 years old. Do not
give atropine and diphenoxylate tablets to a child under 13.
Take the medicine with a full glass of water. Drink extra water while you are taking
atropine and diphenoxylate to keep from getting dehydrated.
It may take up to 48 hours of using the medicine before your symptoms improve. For
best results, keep using the medication as directed. Talk with your doctor if your symptoms do
not improve after 10 days of treatment.
Measure liquid medicine with a special dose-measuring spoon or cup, not a regular table
spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.
Store atropine and diphenoxylate at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Keep the medication where a child cannot reach it.
An overdose of
atropine and diphenoxylate can be fatal to a child.
What happens if I miss a dose of atropine and diphenoxylate?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose,
skip the missed dose and take the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time.
Do
not
take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Where can I get more information about atropine and diphenoxylate?
Your pharmacist has information about atropine and diphenoxylate written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of atropine and diphenoxylate?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using this medication and call your doctor at once if you have any of these
serious side effects:
-
stomach pain or bloating;
-
ongoing or worsening diarrhea;
-
diarrhea that is watery or bloody;
-
numbness in your hands or feet;
-
depressed mood;
-
confusion, unusual thoughts or behavior;
-
fast heart rate; or
-
urinating less than usual or not at all.
Less serious side effects may include:
-
drowsiness, dizziness, headache;
-
tired or restless feeling;
-
nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, loss of appetite; or
-
skin rash, or itching.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell
your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about atropine and diphenoxylate?
If you are giving this medication to a child, pay close attention to the dose. An
atropine and diphenoxylate overdose is more likely to occur in a child, and
can cause
breathing problems or result in death or permanent brain damage.
Use only the liquid form of this medicine in a child younger than 13 years old. Do not
give atropine and diphenoxylate tablets to a child under 13.
Drink extra water while you are taking this medication to keep from getting
dehydrated.
It may take up to 48 hours of using this medicine before your symptoms improve.
For best results, keep using the medication as directed. Talk with your doctor if your symptoms
do not improve after 10 days of treatment.
What should I avoid while taking atropine and diphenoxylate?
This medication can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions.
Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.
Avoid drinking alcohol while you are taking this medication. Alcohol can increase
some of the side effects of atropine and diphenoxylate.
Cold or allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and
medicine for seizures, depression or anxiety can add to sleepiness caused by atropine and
diphenoxylate. Tell your doctor if you regularly use any of these other medicines.
Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise and in hot weather. Follow
your doctor's instructions about the type and amount of liquids you should drink.
What other drugs will affect atropine and diphenoxylate?
Before taking atropine and diphenoxylate, tell your doctor if you are using any of the
following drugs:
-
a barbiturate such as amobarbital (Amytal), butabarbital (Butisol),
mephobarbital (Mebaral), secobarbital (Seconal), or phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton); or
-
an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan),
phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine
(Parnate).
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact
with atropine and diphenoxylate. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter
medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by
other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of atropine and diphenoxylate?