What is Lomotil?
Lomotil Tablet is a medication used to treat diarrhea. It manages symptoms of diarrhea such as stomach pain, cramping, and loose stools. Lomotil Tablet is taken with or without food at the dose and duration recommended by the doctor. The dosages you are given will depend on the condition and how you respond to the medication.
- Lomotil tablets are available as a brand name and a generic medicine.
- The generic version is diphenoxylate/atropine, and it is also available as a liquid solution to take by mouth.
- Lomotil contains two active compounds: diphenoxylate and atropine. Neither drug is available as a generic.
What Are The Uses of Lomotil?
This medicine is primarily used to treat diarrhoea:
- It helps to reduce the number and frequency of bowel movements. It works by slowing down the movement of the intestines.
- Diphenoxylate is similar to opioid pain relievers, but it acts mainly to slow down the intestine.
- Atropine belongs to a class of drugs known as anticholinergics, which help to dry body fluids and slow intestinal movements.
- This medicine cannot be used to treat diarrhea caused by certain types of infection.
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Get A Second OpinionSide Effects of Lomotil
Some of the common side effects of Lomotil are:
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Numbness
- Depression
- Red or Swollen gums
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Skin rash
- Dryness
- Itching
Some of the serious side effects of Lomotil are:
- Constipation
- Diarrhea that is watery or bloody
- Severe pain in the upper stomach
- Fever
- Hallucinations
- Rapid breathing
- Irregular heart rate
- Dehydration
If you have any of these serious symptoms, immediately contact your doctor for further assistance and get medical help immediately if you experience any serious Lomotil side effects.
Precautions To Follow
Before taking Lomotil, talk with your doctor if you are allergic to it or any other medications and also if you have any medical history such as:
- Liver Disease
- Dehydration
- Mineral imbalance
- Bowel disease
- Glaucoma
This medicine is not recommended for use in children younger than six years of age due to an increased risk of serious side effects.
Always carry your medications in your bag while travelling to avoid any immediate emergencies.
Follow your prescription and follow your Doctor's advice whenever you take Lomotil.
How to take Lomotil?
- Take this medicine by mouth, usually four times a day or as prescribed by the doctor. The dose is based on your medical condition and response to treatment.
- In children, the dose is also based on weight.
- If you need to continue treatment once your diarrhea is controlled, your doctor may direct you to lower your dose.
- Do not increase your dose; take it more often or use it longer than prescribed.
- If you are using the liquid form of this medicine, carefully measure the dose using a special measuring device or spoon.
- Do not use a household spoon because you may not have the correct dose.
Drug forms and strengths
Lomotil is coming as a tablet. Each capsule contains 2.5 mg diphenoxylate hydrochloride and 0.025 mg atropine sulfate.
Dosage
The Lomotil dosage prescribed by your doctor will depend on a number of factors. These include the following:
- The type and severity of the condition you use to treat Lomotil
- Other medical conditions that you may have
Missed Dose
- Missing one or two doses of Lomotil won’t have any effect on your body.
- The skipped dose causes no problem. However, with some medications, it won’t work if you don’t take the dosage on time.
- If you miss a dose, some sudden chemical change may affect your body.
- In some cases, your doctor would advise you to take the prescribed medicine as soon as possible if you have missed the dose.
Overdose
- Overdose of a drug can be accidental. If you have taken more than the prescribed dosage, there is a chance of getting a harmful effect on your body’s functions.
- Overdose of a medicine can lead to some medical emergency.
How Lomotil Tablet Works?
Lomotil Tablet is a combination of two medicines: Diphenoxylate and Atropine, which are used to treat diarrhoea.
- Diphenoxylate is an opioid agonist that works by decreasing contraction of the intestines, making stools more solid and less frequent.
- Diphenoxylate may cause euphoria (high mood) and physical dependence at higher doses. Atropine is added in small quantities to prevent its abuse.
Warnings for Some Serious Health Conditions
- Pregnancy: Lomotil may not be safe during pregnancy. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and risks before prescribing.
- Breastfeeding: Likely unsafe during breastfeeding as it may harm the child.
Storage Instructions:
- Keep away from heat, air, and light to avoid damage.
- The exposure of medicine may cause some harmful effects.
- The medicine must be kept in a safe place and out of children’s reach.
- Store at room temperature (68ºF - 77ºF).
Lomotil Vs Imodium
| Lomotil | Imodium |
|---|---|
| Lomotil Tablet is a medication used to treat diarrhea. It manages symptoms of diarrhea such as stomach pain, cramping, and loose stools. | Imodium Capsule is used for the treatment of diarrhea. It should not be used in patients suffering from dysentery (diarrhea with blood). |
| This medicine is used to treat diarrhoea. It helps to reduce the number and frequency of bowel movements. It works by slowing down movement of the intestines | This medicine is used to treat sudden diarrhea (including traveller diarrhea). It works by slowing down the movement of the intestine. This reduces the number of bowel movements and makes the stool less watery. |
Some of the common side effects of Lomotil are:
|
Most of the common side effects of Imodium are:
|
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Book an AppointmentFrequently Asked Questions
This medicine is used to treat diarrhoea. It helps to reduce the number and frequency of bowel movements. It works by slowing down the movement of the intestines. Diphenoxylate is similar to opioid pain relievers, but it acts mainly to slow down the intestine.
Lomotil is classified as a controlled substance of Schedule V by federal legislation. Diphenoxylate hydrochloride is chemically linked to narcotic analgesic meperidine.
Lomotil (diphenoxylate and atropine) and Imodium (loperamide hydrochloride) are antidiarrheal drugs used to treat diarrhea. Lomotil also contains an anticholinergic agent.
The initial adult dosage of 2 Lomotil tablets is four times daily (maximum total daily dose of 20 mg per day of diphenoxylate hydrochloride). Most patients will require this dose until initial diarrhea control has been achieved.
Lomotil is widely considered to be safe and effective when taken at appropriate doses. There is a potential for abuse and/or habit-forming, but this is not a concern when taken as prescribed by the doctor.
Overdose of Lomotil can cause breathing problems and can lead to death or permanent brain damage. Early overdose symptoms include weakness, blurred vision, slurred speech, hot feeling, fast heartbeat, slow breathing, fainting, seizure, or coma.
The doctor will prescribe two tablets four times a day when you start using Lomotil. Do not take more than 8 tablets (20 mg diphenoxylate) a day. Continue this until your diarrhea starts to improve (the stools get firmer), which should happen within 48 hours.
