Diphenoxylate-Atropine Uses

Diphenoxylate-atropine is used to treat both acute diarrhea and chronic diarrhea.

There may be other uses of diphenoxylate-atropine. Your doctor or pharmacist can give you further information.

Diphenoxylate-Atropine Mechanism of Action

Diphenoxylate is an opioid medication that binds to opioid receptors in the gut and slows activity in the bowel, thus helping to treat diarrhea. Atropine is an anticholinergic that is added to reduce the risk of an overdose. Atropine blocks the effects of a natural substance in the body called acetylcholine, causing unpleasant side effects like nausea if Lomotil (diphenoxylate-atropine) is taken too frequently.

Diphenoxylate-Atropine Doses

Each Lomotil tablet contains diphenoxylate hydrochloride 2.5 mg and atropine sulfate 0.025 mg. The liquid medicine contains the same dose of these medicines per 5 mL. 

The usual Lomotil dosage in people over the age of 13 years is two tablets four times a day until diarrhea is controlled. Following this, the dose should be reduced to the lowest possible. 

The starting dose of the liquid solution is 10 mL four times a day in people 13 years of age and older. Lomotil dosage in children age 2 to 12 years is based on the child’s weight and should be determined by a doctor.