What is opium preparation?
Opium is a narcotic derived from the seed pod of a poppy plant. It works by increasing smooth
muscle tone and decreasing fluid secretions in the intestines. This slows the movement of bowel matter
through the intestines.
Opium preparation (sometimes called "opium tincture" or "paregoric") is used to treat diarrhea.
Opium preparation is sometimes given with other anti-diarrhea medication such as kaolin and pectic
(Kaopectate).
Opium preparation may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking opium preparation?
You should not use this medication if you have ever had an allergic reaction to a narcotic
medicine (examples include codeine, methadone, morphine, Oxycontin, Darvocet, Percocet, Vicodin,
Lortab, and many others). You should also not take opium preparation if you are having an asthma
attack or if you have a bowel obstruction called paralytic ileus.
If you have certain conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use
this medication. Before you take an opium preparation, tell your doctor if you have:
-
bloody diarrhea, or diarrhea with fever;
-
diarrhea caused by taking antibiotics;
-
inflammatory bowel disease, toxic megacolon;
-
asthma, COPD, sleep apnea, or other breathing disorders;
-
liver or kidney disease;
-
epilepsy or other seizure disorder;
-
enlarged prostate or urination problems; or
-
a history of drug or alcohol addiction.
FDA pregnancy category C. Taking opium preparation during pregnancy may cause
addiction or withdrawal symptoms in a newborn. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to
become pregnant during treatment.
Opium can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication
without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Older adults may be more like to have side effects of this medication.
Opium preparation may be habit-forming when used over a long period of time. This
medication
should be used only by the person it was prescribed for
. Opium
preparation should never be shared with another person, especially someone who has a history of drug
abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a secure place where others cannot get to it.
How should I take opium preparation?
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you.
Never take an opium
preparation in larger amounts, or use it for longer than recommended by your doctor.
Follow the directions on your prescription label.
This medication is usually taken 1 to 4 times daily to treat diarrhea. Follow your doctor's
instructions.
If you switch from using opium tincture to using paregoric, your dose will not be the same
because each preparation contains a different amount of opium. Opium tincture is much stronger than
paregoric and taking too much may cause serious harm.
Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results.
Do not stop using opium preparation suddenly after long-term use, or you could have
unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Talk to your doctor about how to avoid withdrawal symptoms when
you stop taking this medication.
Store opium preparation at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose of opium preparation?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait
until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose.
Do not
take extra medicine
to make up the missed dose.
Where can I get more information about opium preparation?
Your pharmacist has information about opium preparation written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of opium preparation?
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.
Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:
-
severe constipation, bloating, stomach cramps;
-
urinating less than usual or not at all;
-
fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeats;
-
feeling like you might pass out;
-
weak or shallow breathing; or
-
seizure (convulsions).
Less serious side effects may include:
-
upset stomach, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite;
-
constipation;
-
dizziness, drowsiness, feeling tired or restless;
-
increased sweating; or
-
warmth, redness, or tingly feeling under your skin.
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 opium preparation?
You should not use this medication if you have ever had an allergic reaction to a narcotic
medicine, if you are having an asthma attack, or if you have a bowel obstruction called paralytic ileus.
Before you take an opium preparation, tell your doctor if you have bloody diarrhea, diarrhea
with fever, diarrhea caused by taking antibiotics, inflammatory bowel disease, toxic megacolon, asthma
or other breathing disorder, liver or kidney disease, a seizure disorder, enlarged prostate, urination
problems, or a history of drug or alcohol addiction.
Do not drink alcohol while you are taking this medication. Dangerous side effects or death
can occur when alcohol is combined with opium preparation. Check your food and medicine labels to
be sure these products do not contain alcohol.
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.
Many drugs can interact with opium preparation. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and
over-the-counter medications you use.
Never take this medication in larger amounts, or use it for longer than
recommended by your doctor.
What should I avoid while taking opium preparation?
Avoid using any other anti-diarrhea medications that your doctor has not prescribed.
Do not drink alcohol while you are taking this medication. Dangerous side effects or death
can occur when alcohol is combined with opium preparation. Check your food and medicine labels to
be sure these products do not contain alcohol.
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.
What other drugs will affect opium preparation?
Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you regularly use cold or allergy medicine,
sedatives, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, or other medicines that can make you
sleepy or slow your breathing. Dangerous side effects may result.
Also tell your doctor if you are using:
-
atropine (Atreza, Sal-Tropine), belladonna (Donnatal, and others),
benztropine (Cogentin), dimenhydrinate (Dramamine), methscopolamine (Pamine), or
scopolamine (Transderm-Scop);
-
bronchodilators such as ipratropium (Atrovent) or
tiotropium (Spiriva);
-
cimetidine (Tagamet);
-
glycopyrrolate (Robinul);
-
mepenzolate (Cantil);
-
metoclopramide (Reglan);
-
naloxone (Narcan), naltrexone (ReVia);
-
bladder or urinary medications such as darifenacin
(Enablex), flavoxate (Urispas), oxybutynin (Ditropan, Oxytrol), tolterodine (Detrol), or
solifenacin (Vesicare);
-
irritable bowel medications such as dicyclomine (Bentyl),
hyoscyamine (Anaspaz, Cystospaz, Levsin, and others), or propantheline (Pro-Banthine);
-
an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan),
phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine
(Parnate); or
-
medicines to treat psychiatric disorders, such as
chlorpromazine (Thorazine), haloperidol (Haldol), mesoridazine (Serentil), pimozide (Orap), or
thioridazine (Mellaril).
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with opium preparation.
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 opium preparation?
