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Lomotil overdose
Definition
Lomotil is a prescription medicine used to treat diarrhea. Lomotil overdose occurs when someone accidentally or intentionally takes more than the normal or recommended amount of this medication.
This is for information only and not for use in the treatment or management of an actual poison exposure. If you have an exposure, you should call your local emergency number (such as 911) or the National Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222.
Alternative Names
Diphenoxylate with atropine overdose; Atropine with diphenoxylate overdose
Poisonous Ingredient
Lomotil contains two drugs:
- Atropine
- Diphenoxylate (a narcotic)
Where Found
- Lofene
- Logen
- Lomanate
- Lomotil
- Lonox
Note: This list may not include all sources of lomotil.
Symptoms
- Blockage in the bowel (paralytic ileus)
- Coma
- Constipation
- Convulsions
- Drowsiness
- Dry skin and mucus membranes
- Eyes with pinpoint or enlarged pupils
- Eyes that move quickly from side to side (nystagmus)
- Flushed skin
- Hallucinations
- Rapid heartbeat
- Restlessness
- Slow breathing or breathing that has stopped
- Urination difficulty
- Vomiting
Note: Symptoms may take up to 12 hours to appear.
Home Care
Seek immediate medical help. Do NOT make a person throw up unless told to do so by Poison Control or a health care professional.
Before Calling Emergency
Determine the following:
- Patient's age, weight, and condition
- Name of the product (ingredients and strengths, if known)
- Time it was swallowed
- Amount swallowed
- If the medication was prescribed for the patient
Poison Control
The National Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) can be called from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.
This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the United States use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
See: Poison control center - emergency number
What to Expect at the Emergency Room
The health care provider will measure and monitor your vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. Symptoms will be treated as appropriate. You may receive:
- Activated charcoal
- Breathing support
- Fluids through a vein (by IV)
- Laxative
- Medicine (antidote) to reverse the effect of atropine
- Medicine to reverse the effect of the narcotic (narcotic antagonist)
- Tube through the mouth into the stomach to wash out the stomach (gastric lavage)
Some patients may stay in the hospital to be monitored.
Outlook (Prognosis)
How well you do depends on the amount of poison swallowed and how quickly treatment is received. The faster you get medical help, the better the chance for recovery.
Patients who quickly receive medicine to reverse the effect of the narcotic usually get better within 24 - 48 hours. However, children do not do as well.
References
Yip L, Megarbane B, Borron SW. Opioids. In: Shannon MW, Borron SW, Burns MJ, eds. Haddad and Winchester's Clinical Management of Poisoning and Drug Overdose. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 33.
Kirk MA, Baer AB. Anticholinergics and antihistamines. In: Shannon MW, Borron SW, Burns MJ, eds. Haddad and Winchester's Clinical Management of Poisoning and Drug Overdose. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 39.
Reviewed By: Jacob L. Heller, MD, MHA, Emergency Medicine, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
