Lomotil Tablet 2.5mg / 0.025mg

About Lomotil Tablet 2.5mg / 0.025mg

Uses

• Controls acute, nonspecific diarrhea in adults and teenagers above 13 years
• Used as adjunct therapy for chronic diarrhea under a doctor's supervision
• Helps reduce frequent, loose stools linked to irritable bowel syndrome
• Prescribed short term for traveler's diarrhea when advised by a physician
• Slows intestinal movement to reduce fluid and electrolyte loss during diarrhea

Benefits

• Reduces the number of daily bowel movements within 24 to 48 hours
• Slows gut transit time, allowing more water to be reabsorbed from stool
• Low dose atropine discourages misuse of the diphenoxylate component
• Convenient tablet form that works alongside oral rehydration therapy

What Experts Say

Gastroenterologists describe diphenoxylate and atropine as an opioid-based antidiarrheal that slows intestinal contractions. This action gives the bowel more time to absorb water, which firms up stool and reduces urgency. Doctors usually reserve it for diarrhea that has not improved with diet changes or oral rehydration alone.

Medical experts caution that this combination is not a treatment for the underlying cause of diarrhea. It manages symptoms only, so persistent fever, blood in stool, or diarrhea lasting more than two days needs proper evaluation. Physicians also stress that the tiny atropine dose exists mainly to prevent tablet misuse, not for meaningful therapeutic effect.

Pharmacists highlight that dependence can develop if the recommended dose is exceeded over time, since diphenoxylate is chemically related to opioid pain medicines. Experts advise stopping the medicine once stools return to normal and avoiding it entirely in children under six years. Anyone with liver disease or ulcerative colitis should use it only under close medical guidance.

Drug Class

• Antidiarrheal agent, an opioid derivative combined with an anticholinergic
• Diphenoxylate: synthetic opioid agonist acting on gut mu receptors
• Atropine: anticholinergic added in low dose to deter abuse

Lomotil Tablet 2.5mg / 0.025mg formula

• Diphenoxylate + Atropine

Available forms

• Tablet

How to use Lomotil Tablet 2.5mg / 0.025mg?

• Take Lomotil Tablet exactly as prescribed by your doctor, usually with a higher first dose than later doses
• Swallow the tablet whole with a full glass of water
• Adults typically take 2 tablets four times a day until diarrhea is controlled
• Do not exceed 8 tablets in 24 hours unless your doctor advises otherwise
• Reduce the dose once stools return to normal and stop once symptoms resolve
• Not recommended for children under 6 years of age
• Take with food if it causes stomach upset

Drug Interactions

• Alcohol: Increases drowsiness and central nervous system depression when combined with this medicine
• MAO Inhibitors: Combining with MAOIs can trigger a hypertensive crisis and should be avoided
• Benzodiazepines and Sedatives: Raises the risk of excessive sedation and slowed breathing
• Opioid Pain Medicines: Combined use increases the risk of severe constipation and respiratory depression
• Anticholinergic Drugs: Taking with other anticholinergics can worsen dry mouth, blurred vision, and urinary retention

Risks and warnings

• Opioid Dependence Risk: Diphenoxylate is chemically related to opioids and can cause dependence if taken above the recommended dose or for longer than advised
• Not for Infectious Diarrhea: Avoid use if diarrhea is caused by toxin producing bacteria such as E. coli, Salmonella, or Shigella, as slowing the gut can worsen the infection
• Atropine Toxicity in Overdose: Taking more than the prescribed dose can cause dry mouth, flushing, rapid heartbeat, blurred vision, and in severe cases, respiratory depression
• Not for Children Under 6: This medicine is not approved for children below 6 years due to the risk of severe respiratory depression
• Ulcerative Colitis Caution: Use with care in patients with inflammatory bowel disease, since it can trigger toxic megacolon
• Liver Disease Caution: People with liver impairment should use this medicine only under close medical supervision
• Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: Use only if a doctor confirms the benefit outweighs the risk, since safety data in pregnancy is limited

Lomotil Tablet 2.5mg / 0.025mg Side Effects

• Dry mouth and mild drowsiness
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Headache and tiredness
• Nausea, vomiting, or loss of appetite
• Abdominal discomfort or bloating
• Skin rash or itching
• Flushing of the face or skin
• Blurred vision
• Severe constipation with prolonged use
• Rapid heartbeat
• Confusion or hallucinations in overdose
• Difficulty breathing or slowed breathing in overdose

Storage Conditions

• Store below 25°C in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight
• Keep the tablets in their original blister pack until ready to use
• Keep out of reach of children due to opioid related overdose risk
• Do not use after the expiry date printed on the pack