Sometimes, diarrhea or flatulence can be difficult to control with ordinary medicine. At such times, there are special and very powerful medicines prescribed by doctors. Today we are going to talk about one such medicine. That is Opium Tincture. This is not just a medicine for diarrhea, so it is very important to be aware of this.
Simply put, what is Opium Tincture?
This is a special medicine that is given to control severe diarrhea. Simply put, this medicine works by reducing the overactivity of your intestines and controlling the frequency of bowel movements.
The important thing is, this is a drug that belongs to a class of drugs called opioids . You may have heard this term in reference to strong painkillers. Yes, it does belong to that class, but this particular solution is used to control diarrhea. Since it is a strong drug, it should never be used without a doctor's prescription.
Things you should definitely tell your doctor before taking medication
It is very important that your doctor is fully aware of your health condition before giving you this medication, as it can be dangerous to use this medication with certain medical conditions.
It is very important for your own safety to tell your doctor about every medication you use and every illness you have, without hiding anything.
If you have any of the conditions below, be sure to tell your doctor about it.
| Do you have these conditions? |
|---|
| Brain tumor or serious head injury |
| Alcoholism |
| Heart disease |
| Decreased function of the adrenal glands |
| Lung disease, asthma, or other breathing problems |
| Seizures |
| Other stomach or intestinal problems (e.g., intestinal obstruction) |
| Having a history of substance use disorder |
| If you have taken MAOI medication (e.g. Parnate, Marplan) in the past 14 days |
| If you are allergic to opium or other medicines, foods, or dyes |
| If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant |
| If you are a breastfeeding mother |
How exactly do I use this medicine?
Because this is a powerful medicine, it is very important to take it exactly as the doctor prescribes, in the exact dosage, and at the exact time.
- Correct measurement: Use the special dropper or measuring cup that comes with this medicine to measure it. Do not use household teaspoons or syrup cups. They are not accurate.
- Food: This can be taken before or after meals. If you feel like you have an upset stomach, it is best to take it with food.
- Stopping: Do not stop taking this medication suddenly without your doctor's advice.
- For children: Special care is needed if this medicine is given to young children. Be sure to talk to your doctor about this.
Doses kelimesi fazla alındında ne yapmalı? (Overdose)
This is the most important part. If you have any suspicion that you or someone else has taken too much of this medicine, call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital immediately . Or, go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) without delay.
Things to consider when taking the medicine
There are several things to consider regarding your safety while using this medication.
Drug tolerance and addiction
When you take this medicine for a long time, you may not get relief from the same dose you were taking before. This is because the body has become accustomed to the dose (Tolerance). This is normal. However, being accustomed to the dose is not the same as addiction. Addiction is the use of the medicine without a medical reason. You are taking this for a medical condition, so don't be afraid of it. But do not change the dose or stop it suddenly without your doctor's advice.
Drowsiness and driving
This medicine may cause drowsiness, dizziness, and decreased alertness . Therefore, never drive or operate dangerous machinery while taking this medicine. Stand up and sit up slowly. Otherwise, you may feel dizzy and fall. This risk is increased if you take this medicine with alcohol.
Constipation
A common side effect of this medication is constipation. If you don't have a bowel movement after about 3 days, tell your doctor. Drinking plenty of water and eating fiber-rich foods can help with this.
Side effects of the medicine
Like any medicine, this one can have side effects. Some are serious, some are common.
| Side effect | Description |
|---|---|
| Serious side effects that require immediate medical attention | |
| Allergic Reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the lips, tongue, face or throat. |
| Central nervous system depression (CNS Depression) | Slow or shallow breathing, difficulty breathing, extreme drowsiness, confusion, inability to wake up. |
| Usually not something to be afraid of (but if it persists)Tell the doctor .) | |
| Constipation | Difficulty defecating. |
| Nausea | Feeling like your stomach is churning. |
| Vomiting | Vomiting. |
How to keep medicine safe?
This is very important. It is your responsibility to prevent this medicine from falling into the wrong hands.
- Keep away from children: Never leave this medicine within the reach of children or where they can easily get it.
- Keep it in a safe place: Because this medicine is prone to abuse, keep it in a safe, lockable place where it cannot be stolen.
- Do not share: This is a medicine prescribed for you only. Never, under any circumstances, give this medicine to anyone else. Doing so is a punishable offense and is very dangerous.
- After expiration: Throw away expired medicine.
Take-Home Message
- Opium Tincture is a very strong opioid medicine used for diarrhea. It should only be used under medical advice.
- Tell your doctor about all other medications you are taking and all medical conditions you have.
- Never drive while taking this medicine. Avoid drinking alcohol completely.
- If you take too much medicine or experience a serious side effect, call the ETU or the National Poisons Information Centre immediately.
- Never share this medicine with others . Keep it in a safe place out of the reach of children.
👩🏽⚕️ Additional questions (FAQs)
💬 Is Opium Tincture / Laudanum an illegal drug?
No! This is a very strong and dangerous liquid medicine that cannot be obtained anywhere except through a doctor's prescription (Schedule II controlled substance). This liquid contains 'Opium - 10mg/mL Morphine' directly. Nowadays, this is given by pharmacies as a last resort to stop 'Severe Diarrhea' (which is not relieved by any other medicine).
💬 How to stop severe diarrhea caused by Opium/Morphine suddenly?
Once this solution reaches the intestines and brain, it attacks the muscles in the intestines (Mu-opioid receptors). When the intestines move rapidly, the intestines push the stool out, and when this medicine is taken, it paralyzes/slows down those muscles 100%. Then, when the stool is too much in the intestines, it absorbs water well, and the diarrhea stops immediately.
💬 What are the Black Box Warnings for this medication?
This is a highly addictive drug similar to heroin! The most dangerous and deadly danger of this is 'Respiratory depression'. If the dose (number of drops) is increased even slightly, the brain is twisted and the patient's breathing stops completely and he dies like a stone! Also, this inevitably causes severe constipation and blurred vision (Sedation).
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