Definition 
This is poisoning from overdose of antidiarrheal agents containing diphenoxylate or atropine.

Poisonous Ingredient 

 
• diphenoxylate  
• atropine

Where Found 

 
• Lomotil  
• Diphenatol  
• Lofene  
• Logen  
• Lomanate  
• Lonox  
• Lo-Trol  
• Nor-Mil

Note: This list may not be all inclusive.

Symptoms  

 
• respiratory       o slow breathing  
• eyes, ears, nose, and throat       o pinpoint pupils       o rapid side to side eye movement  
• gastrointestinal       o Constipation  
• heart and blood vessels       o rapid heartbeat  
• nervous system       o drowsiness       o loss of desire to do anything       o coma

Note: Symptoms of toxicity may take up to 12 hours to appear

Home Treatment 
The normal treatment is to induce Vomiting unless the patient is unconscious or experiencing Convulsions; however, before inducing Vomiting, contact Poison Control to verify that is the correct treatment.

Before Calling Emergency 
Determine the following information:

 
• the patient’s age, weight, and condition  
• the name of the product (ingredients and strengths if known)  
• the time it was swallowed  
• the amount swallowed  
• if the medication was prescribed for the patient

Poison Control, or a local emergency number 
They will instruct you if it is necessary to take the patient to the hospital. See Poison Control centers for telephone numbers and addresses. Take the container with you to the emergency room.

What to expect at the emergency room 
Some or all of the following procedures may be performed:

 
• Use gastric lavage.  
• Administer activated charcoal.  
• Administer a laxative.  
• Administer a narcotic counteracting drug (antagonist) on a regular basis, approximately every 30 minutes.

Expectations (prognosis) 
Fatalities can occur in children despite ipecac and charcoal therapy. Patients will normally recover with treatment and 24 hours of monitoring.

Medical Encyclopedia

All ArmMed Media material is provided for information only and is neither advice nor a substitute for proper medical care. Consult a qualified healthcare professional who understands your particular history for individual concerns.