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Antidiarrheal drug overdose

 

Antidiarrheal drugs are used to treat loose, watery, and frequent stools. This article discusses overdose of antidiarrheal drugs containing diphenoxylate or atropine. Diphenoxylate is a weak opioid, a class of drugs that includes morphine and other narcotics. Use of prescription opioids for nonmedical reasons is a growing problem among adults and teens in the United States.

This is for information only and not for use in the treatment or management of an actual overdose. DO NOT use it to treat or manage an actual overdose. If you or someone you are with overdoses, call your local emergency number (such as 911), or your local poison center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) from anywhere in the United States.

Poisonous Ingredient

The ingredients include:

  • Diphenoxylate
  • Atropine

Where Found

 

These substances are found in these medicines:

  • Diphenatol
  • Lofene
  • Logen
  • Lomanate
  • Lomotil
  • Lonox
  • Lo-Trol
  • Nor-Mil

Other medicines may also contain these substances.

 

Symptoms

 

Someone who has overdosed on this medicine may have some of these symptoms:

  • Apathy, loss of desire to do anything
  • Coma
  • Confusion
  • Constipation
  • Delirium or hallucinations
  • Drowsiness
  • Dry mouth and skin
  • Flushing
  • Change in pupil size
  • Rapid heartbeat
  • Rapid side-to-side eye movement
  • Slow breathing

Note: Symptoms may take up to 12 hours to appear.

 

Home Care

 

Seek medical help right away. DO NOT make the person throw up unless poison control or a health care provider tells you to.

 

Before Calling Emergency

 

Have this information ready:

  • Person's age, weight, and condition
  • Name of the product (ingredients and strengths if known)
  • Time it was swallowed
  • Amount swallowed

 

Poison Control

 

Your local poison center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.

This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the United States use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

 

What to Expect at the Emergency Room

 

Take the prescription bottle with you to the hospital, if possible.

The provider will measure and monitor the person's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. Symptoms will be treated. The person may receive:

  • Activated charcoal
  • Breathing support, including oxygen and a tube through the mouth into the lungs
  • Chest x-ray
  • EKG (electrocardiogram, or heart tracing)
  • Intravenous fluids (given through a vein)
  • Laxative
  • Narcotic-counteracting drug (antagonist), approximately every 30 minutes
  • Tube through the nose into the stomach to empty the stomach ( gastric lavage )

 

Outlook (Prognosis)

 

Most people will recover with treatment and are monitored for 24 hours. However, deaths may occur in young children. Children under age 6 should be admitted to the hospital and closely watched for 24 hours because signs of lung problems may be delayed and severe.

Keep all medicines in child-proof containers and out of reach of children. Read all medicine labels and take only medicines that have been prescribed for you.

 

 

Open References

References

Bardsley CH. Opioids. In: Marx JA, Hockberger RS, Walls RM, eds. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice . 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2014:chap 162.

Doyon S. Opioids. In: Tintinalli JE, Kelen GD, Stapczynski JS, Ma OJ, Cline DM, eds. Emergency Medicine: A Comprehensive Study Guide . 7th ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 2015:chap 180.

Lank PM, Kusin S. Ethanol and opioid intoxication and withdrawal. In: Adams JG, ed. Emergency Medicine . 2nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2013:chap 154.

 

        A Closer Look

         

          Self Care

           

            Tests for Antidiarrheal drug overdose

             
               

              Review Date: 7/6/2015

              Reviewed By: Jacob L. Heller, MD, MHA, Emergency Medicine, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

              The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

               
               
               

               

               

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