Side Effects of Diphenoxylate

Diphenoxylate is a prescription anti-diarrhea medication. It is only available combined with atropine, another drug which treats diarrhea symptoms and has many other uses. This combination can be purchased in generic form and in brands such as Lomotil. Many side effects are possible, and diphenoxylate has high potential to create dependency.

Dependency

• Diphenoxylate is chemically related to narcotics, and can cause euphoria. It has high risk for psychological and physical dependency, and thus for people to begin taking too much. For this reason, pharmaceutical companies combine the drug with atropine, because of the negative side effects of atropine in high doses.

General Side Effects

• Many side effects are associated with diphenoxylate/atropine, some which call for medical attention. They include confusion, depression, difficulty urinating, dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth and skin, fever, fluid retention, flushing, headache, rapid heartbeat and sedation.

Gastrointestinal Side Effects

• Gastrointestinal effects can occur, some serious. Intestinal blockage is a rare possibility. More likely, the patient might experience abdominal discomfort, bloating, indigestion, loss of appetite, nausea or vomiting.

Drug Interactions

• If diphenoxylate is taken to relieve diarrhea caused by antibiotics, it actually can make the symptoms worse. This drug interacts with alcohol, barbiturates, tranquilizers, and antidepressants.

Withdrawal

• Withdrawal symptoms can occur if the patient takes diphenoxylate for longer than instructed or in larger doses than recommended. Withdrawal signs include muscle cramps, stomach cramps, sweating, trembling and vomiting.