<!-- Definition and medical uses -->
Diphenoxylate/atropine, also known as co-phenotrope and sold under the brand name Lomotil among others, is used to treat diarrhea. It is a fixed-dose combination of the medications diphenoxylate, as the hydrochloride, an antidiarrheal; and atropine, as the sulfate, an anticholinergic.
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Side effects may include abdominal pain, angioedema, glaucoma, heart problems, feeling tired, dry mouth, and trouble seeing. It works by decreasing contractions of the bowel. The combination is classified as a Schedule V controlled substance in the United States.
- People under six years of age
- People with an allergy to diphenoxylate or atropine
- People with diarrhea associated with pseudomembranous enterocolitis (Clostridioides difficile), diarrhea caused by antibiotic treatment
- People with obstructive jaundice
Side effects
The combination is generally safe for short-term use and with recommended dosage. In doses used for the treatment of diarrhea, whether acute or chronic, diphenoxylate has not produced addiction.
Diarrhea that is caused by some antibiotics such as cefaclor, erythromycin or tetracycline can worsen.
Society and culture
Legal status
In the United States, it is classified as a Schedule V controlled substance by federal law, and is available only for a medical purpose.
Names
The UK British Approved Name (BAN) name for diphenoxylate and atropine is co-phenotrope.
As of 2018, the combination is marketed in the US and some other countries under the brands Atridol, Atrolate, Atrotil, Co-Phenotrope, Dhamotil, Dimotil, Intard, Logen, Lomanate, Lomotil, Lonox, and Reasec.