PAREGORIC

Brand & Generic Names

Brown Mixture
Camphorated Opium Tincture
Laudanum
Opium Tincture

Basic Information

• Habit forming? Yes
• Prescription needed? Yes
• Available as generic? Yes
• Drug class: Narcotic, antidiarrheal

Uses

Reduces intestinal cramps and diarrhea.

Dosage & Usage Information

How to take:
Drops or liquid--Dilute dose in beverage before swallowing.

When to take:
As needed for diarrhea, no more often than every 4 hours.

If you forget a dose:
Take as soon as you remember. Wait 4 hours for next dose.

What drug does:
Anesthetizes surface membranes of intestines and blocks nerve impulses.

Time lapse before drug works:
2 to 6 hours.

Don't take with:
Any other medicine without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.

Overdose

SYMPTOMS:
Deep sleep; slow breathing; slow pulse; flushed, warm skin; constricted pupils.

WHAT TO DO:

• Dial 911 (emergency) or O (operator) for an ambulance or medical help. Then give first aid immediately.
• If patient is unconscious and not breathing, give mouth-to- mouth breathing. If there is no heartbeat, use cardiac massage and mouth-to-mouth breathing (CPR). Don't try to make patient vomit. If you can't get help quickly, take patient to nearest emergency facility.
• See EMERGENCY Information.

Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects

Life-threatening:

In case of overdose, see Overdose section.

Common:

Dizziness, flushed face, unusual tiredness, difficult urination.

Infrequent:

Severe constipation, abdominal pain, vomiting.

Rare:

• Hives, rash, itchy skin, slow heartbeat, irregular breathing.
• Depression.

Warnings & Precautions

Don't take if:
You are allergic to any narcotic.

Before you start, consult your doctor:
If you have impaired liver or kidney function.

Over age 60:
More likely to be drowsy, dizzy, unsteady or constipated.

Pregnancy:
Risk to unborn child outweighs benefits. Don't use.

Breast-feeding:
Drug filters into milk. May depress infant. Avoid.

Infants & children:
Use only under medical supervision.

Prolonged use:
Causes psychological and physical dependence.

Skin & sunlight:
No problems expected.

Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
Don't drive or pilot aircraft until you learn how medicine affects you. Don't work around dangerous machinery. Don't climb ladders or work in high places. Danger increases if you drink alcohol or take medicine affecting alertness and reflexes, such as antihistamines, tranquilizers, sedatives, pain medicine, narcotics and mind-altering drugs.

Discontinuing:
May be unnecessary to finish medicine. Follow doctor's instructions.

Others:
Great potential for abuse.

Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

GENERIC NAME	COMBINED EFFECT
------------------------	-----------------------
Analgesics*	Increased analgesic effect.
Antidepressants*	Increased sedation.
Antihistamines*	Increased sedation.
Carteolol	Increased narcotic effect.
	Dangerous sedation.
Central nervous system	Increased central nerve system
(CNS) depressants*	depression.
Clozapine	Toxic effect on the central nervous
	system.
Ethinamate	Dangerous increased effects of
	ethinamate. Avoid combining.
Fluoxetine	Increased depressant effects of
	both drugs.
Guanfacine	May increase depressant effects of
	either medicine.
Leucovorin	High alcohol content of leucovorin
	may cause adverse effects.
Methyprylon	May increase sedative effect to
	dangerous level. Avoid.
Mind-altering drugs*	Increased sedation.
Nabilone	Greater depression of central
	nervous system.
Narcotics, other*	Increased narcotic effect.
Phenothiazines*	Increased sedative effect of
	paregoric.
Sedatives*	Excessive sedation.
Sleep inducers*	Increased effect of sleep inducers.
Sotalol	Increased narcotic effect.
	Dangerous sedation.
Tranquilizers*	Increased tranquilizer effect.

Possible Interaction with Other Substances

INTERACTS WITH	COMBINED EFFECT
---------------	---------------
Alcohol:	Increases alcohol's intoxicating
	effect. Avoid.
Beverages:	None expected.
Cocaine:	None expected.
Foods:	None expected.
Marijuana:	Impairs physical and mental
	performance.
Tobacco:	None expected.