Paregoric (Paregoric)

Category:

  • Antidiarrheal

Description:

  • Opiate antidiarrheal, DEA Schedule III

Indications:

  • Diarrhea

  • Neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (non FDA approved)

Contraindications:

  • Diarrhea due to poisoning

  • Infectious diarrhea

Precautions:

  • Pregnancy category B; excreted in breast milk

  • Respiratory disease

  • Elderly

Adverse Reactions (Side Effects):

  • CNS: depression, dizziness, drowsiness, fatigue, restlessness, withdrawal syndrome (with prolonged use at high dose)

  • CV: hypotension, orthostatic hypotension

  • EENT: miosis

  • GI: abdominal cramping, constipation

  • GU: urinary retention

  • RESP: respiratory depression

  • SKIN: pruritus

 

Dosage:

Administered orally

  • Adult:   PO 5-10ml up to 4 times daily

  • Child: 

    • Antidiarrheal: age >2 years PO 0.25-0.5 ml/kg up to 4 times daily

    • Opioid withdrawal syndrome: Neonate, PO 0.2ml every 3 hours, increase dose by 0.05ml every 3 hours until symptoms controlled (max dose of 0.7ml)

NOTE: 4ml of paregoric equal to 2.5mg diphenoxylate, 1.6mg morphine sulfate

 

 

 

Source: Operational Medicine 2001,  Health Care in Military Settings, NAVMED P-5139, May 1, 2001, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, Department of the Navy, 2300 E Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20372-5300  

Gynecology and Obstetrics CD-ROM
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