DIFENOXIN & ATROPINE

Brand & Generic Names

Motofen

Basic Information

• Habit forming? Yes
• Prescription needed? Yes
• Available as generic? No
• Drug class: Antidiarrheal

Uses

• Reduces spasms of digestive system.
• Treats severe diarrhea.

Dosage & Usage Information

How to take:
Tablet--Swallow with liquid or food to lessen stomach irritation.

When to take:
After each loose stool or every 3 to 4 hours. No more than 5 tablets in 12 hours.

If you forget a dose:
Take as soon as you remember. Don't double this dose.

What drug does:
Blocks nerve impulses at parasympathetic nerve endings, preventing muscle contractions and gland secretions of organs involved.
Acts on brain to decrease spasm of smooth muscle.

Time lapse before drug works:
40 to 60 minutes.

Don't take with:
Any medicine that will decrease mental alertness or reflexes, such as alcohol, other mind-altering drugs, cough/cold medicines, antihistamines, allergy medicine, sedatives, tranquilizers (sleeping pills or "downers") barbiturates, seizure medicine, narcotics, other prescription medicines for pain, muscle relaxants, anesthetics.
Any other medicine without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.

Overdose

SYMPTOMS:
Dilated pupils, rapid pulse and breathing, dizziness, fever, hallucinations, confusion, slurred speech, agitation, flushed face, convulsions, coma.

WHAT TO DO:

• Dial 911 (emergency) or O (operator) for an ambulance or medical help. Then give first aid immediately.
• See EMERGENCY Information.

Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects

Life-threatening:

Shortness of breath, Discontinue. Seek agitation, nervousness. emergency treatment.

Common:

Dizziness, drowsiness.

Infrequent:

• Bloating; constipation; appetite loss; abdominal pain; blurred vision; warm, flushed skin; fast heartbeat; dry mouth.
• Frequent urination, lightheadedness, dry skin, headache, insomnia.

Rare:

Weakness, confusion, fever.

Warnings & Precautions

Don't take if:

• You are allergic to any anticholinergic.
• You have trouble with stomach bloating, difficulty emptying your bladder completely, narrow-angle glaucoma, severe ulcerative colitis.
• You are dehydrated.

Before you start, consult your doctor:

• If you have open-angle glaucoma, angina, chronic bronchitis, asthma, liver disease, hiatal hernia, enlarged prostate, myasthenia gravis, peptic ulcer.
• If you will have surgery within 2 months, including dental surgery, requiring general or spinal anesthesia.

Over age 60:
Adverse reactions and side effects may be more frequent and severe than in younger persons.

Pregnancy:
Studies inconclusive on harm to unborn child. Animal studies show fetal abnormalities. Decide with your doctor whether drug benefits justify risk to unborn child.

Breast-feeding:
Drug passes into milk. Avoid drug or discontinue nursing until you finish medicine. Consult doctor for advice on maintaining milk supply.

Infants & children:
Use only under medical supervision.

Prolonged use:

• Chronic constipation, possible fecal impaction. Consult doctor immediately.
• Talk to your doctor about the need for follow-up medical examinations or laboratory studies to check liver function.

Skin & sunlight:
No problems expected.

Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
Use disqualifies you for piloting aircraft. Otherwise, no problems expected.

Discontinuing:
May be unnecessary to finish medicine. Follow doctor's instructions.

Others:
Atropine included at doses below therapeutic level to prevent abuse.

Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

GENERIC NAME	COMBINED EFFECT
------------------------	-----------------------
Addictive substances	Increased chance of
(narcotics,* others)	abuse.
Amantadine	Increased atropine effect.
Anticholinergics,	Increased atropine
other*	effect.
Antidepressants,	Increased atropine
tricyclic (TCA)*	effect. Increased sedation.
Antihistamines*	Increased atropine effect.
Antihypertensives*	Increased sedation.
Clozapine	Toxic effect on the central nervous
	system.
Cortisone drugs*	Increased internal-eye pressure.
Ethinamate	Dangerous increased effects of
	ethinamate. Avoid combining.
Fluoxetine	Increased depressant effects of
	both drugs.
Guanfacine	May increase depressant effects of
	either drug.
Haloperidol	Increased internal-eye pressure.
Leucovorin	High alcohol content of leucovorin
	may cause adverse effects.
MAO inhibitors*	Increased atropine effect.
Meperidine	Increased atropine effect.
Methylphenidate	Increased atropine effect.
Methyprylon	Increased sedative effect, perhaps
	to dangerous level. Avoid.
Nabilone	Greater depression of
	central nervous system.
Naltrexone	Triggers withdrawal symptoms.
Narcotics*	Increased sedation. Avoid.
Nitrates*	Increased internal-eye pressure.
Orphenadrine	Increased atropine effect.
Phenothiazines*	Increased atropine effect.
Pilocarpine	Loss of pilocarpine effect in
	glaucoma treatment.
Potassium	Possible intestinal
supplements*	ulcers with oral potassium tablets.
Procainamide	Increased atropine effect.
Sertraline	Increased depressive effects of
	both drugs.
Vitamin C	Decreased atropine effect. Avoid
	large doses of vitamin C.

Possible Interaction with Other Substances

INTERACTS WITH	COMBINED EFFECT
---------------	---------------
Alcohol:	Increased sedation. Avoid.
Beverages:	None expected.
Cocaine:	Excessively rapid heartbeat. Avoid.
Foods:	None expected.
Marijuana:	Drowsiness and dry mouth.
Tobacco:	May increase diarrhea. Avoid.