Diphenoxylate
Description
Diphenoxylate is used for the management of diarrhea along with other treatments. This medicine is not recommended for use in children below 2 years of age.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Diphenoxylate
- Abdominal pain or stomach pain
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Drowsiness or sleepiness
- Skin rash
- Nausea and Vomiting
- Fever
- Itching
- Tiredness
Uses of Diphenoxylate
What is it prescribed for?
- Diarrhea
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe amount of time required for this medicine to show its action is not clinically established.
- Duration of effectThe amount of time for which this medicine remains active in the body is not clinically established.
- Safe with alcohol?Consumption of alcohol during treatment with this medicine may increase the risk of severe side effects. These side effects may include confusion, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, weakness, and fainting. It is advised that you do not perform any activities such as driving a vehicle or operating machinery if you experience any of these symptoms.
- Is it habit forming?This medicine may be habit-forming.
- Usage in pregnancy?This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless necessary. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine.
- Usage while breast-feeding?This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless necessary. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine.
Allergy
This medicine is not recommended for use if you have a known allergy to diphenoxylate or any other inactive ingredients present along with it.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless necessary. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine.
Breast-feeding
This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless necessary. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine.
General warnings
Infectious diarrhea
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients having infectious diarrhea. The symptoms may worsen and get prolonged if this medicine is used in such cases. Any incidence of diarrhea accompanied by the presence of blood or pus in stools and high fever should be promptly reported to the doctor.
Driving or operating machinery
Use of this medicine may cause symptoms such as dizziness, drowsiness, etc. in some patients. It is advised that you do not perform any activities such as driving a vehicle or operating machinery if you experience any of these symptoms.
Use in children
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients less than 2 years of age since the safety and efficacy of use are not clinically established.
Liver diseases
This medicine should be used with caution in patients suffering from liver diseases due to the increased risk of adverse effects. Close monitoring of liver function tests is necessary while receiving this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Kidney diseases
This medicine should be used with caution in patients suffering from kidney diseases due to the increased risk of severe adverse effects. Close monitoring of kidney function tests is necessary while receiving this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Missed Dose
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose. Do not double your dose to make up for the missed one.
Overdose
Seek emergency medical treatment or contact the doctor in case of an overdose.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
N/A
Instructions
Consumption of alcohol during treatment with this medicine may increase the risk of severe side effects. These side effects may include confusion, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, weakness, and fainting. It is advised that you do not perform any activities such as driving a vehicle or operating machinery if you experience any of these symptoms.
Interaction with Medicine
Bromocriptine
Alprazolam
Acetazolamide
Chlorthalidone
Cetirizine
Loratadine
Clobazam
Baclofen
Desvenlafaxine
Disease interactions
Liver Disease
This medicine should be used with caution in patients suffering from liver diseases due to the increased risk of adverse effects. Close monitoring of liver function tests is necessary while receiving this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Kidney Disease
This medicine should be used with caution in patients suffering from kidney diseases due to the increased risk of severe adverse effects. Close monitoring of kidney function tests is necessary while receiving this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Ulcerative colitis
This medicine should be used with extreme caution in patients suffering from ulcerative colitis due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Take this medicine exactly as advised by your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts than advised/prescribed. Consult the doctor if you experience any undesirable side effects. Ensure that the treatment course is completed. Do not stop the use of this medicine without consulting your doctor.
Miscelleneous
How it works
This medicine works by reducing the movement of food and water from the stomach and intestine. The reduced bowel activity makes the food stay longer in the intestine resulting in increased absorption of water and symptoms of diarrhea are relieved.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Antidiarrheals
Schedule
Schedule H1
Diphenoxylate - DrugBank [Internet]. Drugbank.ca. 2019 [cited 22 April 2019]. Available from:
Diphenoxylate: MedlinePlus Drug Information [Internet]. Medlineplus.gov. 2019 [cited 22 April 2019]. Available from:
Diphenoxylate [Internet]. Pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. 2019 [cited 22 April 2019]. Available from:
Information on this page was last updated on 21 May 2019
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.