ATTAPULGITE

Brand & Generic Names

Diar-Aid
Diasorb
Fowlers Diarrhea Tablets
Kaopectate
Kaopectate Advanced
Formula
Kaopectate Maximum
Strength
Rheaban
St. Joseph Antidiarrheal

Basic Information

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

Uses

Treats diarrhea. Used in conjunction with fluids, appropriate diet and rest. Treats symptoms only. Does not cure any disorder that causes diarrhea.

Dosage & Usage Information

How to take:
Tablets--Swallow with liquid. If you can't swallow whole, crumble tablet and take with liquid or food. Instructions to take on empty stomach mean 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating.
Chewable tablets--Chew well before swallowing.

When to take:
2 hours before or 3 hours after taking any other oral medications. Outside of this restriction, take a dose after each loose bowel movement until diarrhea is controlled.

If you forget a dose:
Take as soon as you remember, then resume regular schedule.

What drug does:
Absorbs bacteria and toxins and reduces water loss. Attapulgite does not get absorbed into the body.

Time lapse before drug works:
5 to 8 hours.

Don't take with:
See interaction section and consult doctor.

Overdose

SYMPTOMS:
None expected.

WHAT TO DO:

Overdose unlikely to threaten life. If person takes much larger amount than prescribed, call doctor, poison-control center or hospital emergency room for instructions.

Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects

Life-threatening:

None expected.

Common:

None expected.

Infrequent:

Constipation (usually mild and of short duration).

Rare:

None expected.

Warnings & Precautions

Don't take if:

• You are allergic to attapulgite.
• You or your doctor suspects intestinal obstruction.

Before you start, consult your doctor:
If you are dehydrated (signs are a dry mouth, loose skin, sunken eyes and parched lips).

Over age 60:

• Dehydration is more likely in this age group.
• Side effects of constipation are more likely.

Pregnancy:
No proven problems. Consult doctor.

Breast-feeding:
No problems expected, but consult doctor.

Infants & children:
Use only under close medical supervision for children up to 3 years of age. This age group is quite susceptible to fluid and electrolyte loss.

Prolonged use:
Not intended for prolonged use.

Skin & sunlight:
No special problems expected.

Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
No special problems expected.

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

Others:
No special problems expected.

Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

GENERIC NAME	COMBINED EFFECT
-------------------------	-----------------------
Digitalis	May decrease effectiveness of digitalis.
Lincomycins	May decrease effectiveness of
	lincomycins.
Any other medicine	When taken at the same time, neither
taken by mouth	drug may be as effective. Take other
	medicines 2 hours before or 3 hours
	after attapulgite.

Possible Interaction with Other Substances

INTERACTS WITH	COMBINED EFFECT
---------------	---------------
Alcohol:	No proven problems.
Beverages:	No proven problems.
Cocaine:	No proven problems.
Prunes, prune juice	Decreased effect of attapulgite.
Marijuana:	No proven problems.
Tobacco:	No proven problems.