difenoxin and atropine

Action and Spectrum

Actions and Spectrum:

difenoxin and atropine are medications used to treat different medical conditions.

difenoxin is a medication that belongs to the class of drugs known as opioid antispasmodics. It is used to relieve abdominal cramps and diarrhea caused by conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). difenoxin works by slowing down the contractions of the intestinal muscles, reducing the frequency and severity of abdominal cramps and diarrhea.

atropine, on the other hand, is a medication that belongs to the class of drugs known as anticholinergics. It is used to dilate the pupils, relieve spasms in the urinary and gastrointestinal tracts, and to reduce secretions in various organs such as the lungs, stomach, and intestines. atropine works by blocking the action of a chemical called acetylcholine, which is responsible for causing muscle contractions and secretions.

Drug Interaction

Adverse Reaction

Frequency Defined 

1-10% 

Somnolence (4%)

Nausea (6.7%)

Vomiting (3.3%)

Headache (2.5%)

Xerostomia (3.3%)

Frequency Not Defined 

Dizziness

Abdominal discomfort

Lightheadedness

Black Box Warning

Black Box Warning

difenoxin and atropine carries a Black Box Warning, which is the most serious type of warning issued by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for medications. This warning is given to medications that have a potential for serious or life-threatening risks.

Contraindication / Caution

Contraindication/Caution:

Contraindications for difenoxin and atropine include:

• Allergy to the medications or any of their ingredients
• Obstruction of the gastrointestinal tract
• Megacolon, a condition characterized by an enlarged colon
• Myasthenia gravis, a condition that causes muscle weakness
• Prostatic hypertrophy, an enlarged prostate gland
• Glaucoma, a condition that causes increased pressure in the eye
• Heart disease, high blood pressure, or other cardiovascular conditions

Caution should be exercised when using difenoxin and atropine in the following situations:

• Elderly patients as they may be more sensitive to the medications’ side effects
• Pregnant or breastfeeding women, as the safety of the medications in these populations has not been established
• Patients with kidney or liver disease, as these conditions may affect the metabolism and elimination of the medications
• Patients with a history of mental health conditions or drug abuse, as difenoxin and atropine, may exacerbate these conditions.

Pregnancy / Lactation

Pregnancy warnings:   

US FDA pregnancy category: C

Lactation:  

Excreted into human milk is known

Pregnancy Categories:        

Category A: Studies that were well-controlled and met expectations revealed no risk to the fetus in either the first or second trimester.

Category B: There were a lack of studies on pregnant women and no evidence of risk to the foetus in animal experiments.

Category C: there was evidence of risk of adverse effects in animal reproduction studies, and no adequate evidence in human studies must take care of potential risks in pregnant women.

Category D: adequate data available with sufficient evidence of human fetal risk from various platforms, but despite the potential risk, and used only in emergency cases for potential benefits.

Category X: Drugs listed in this category outweigh the risks over benefits. Hence these categories of drugs need to be avoided by pregnant women.

Category N: There is no data available for the drug under this category

Pharmacology

Pharmacology: 

When used together, difenoxin and atropine work to slow down the movement of the intestines and reduce the frequency of bowel movements, which can help to control diarrhea. However, the use of difenoxin and atropine should be done under the prescription of a doctor as it can lead to some side effects such as constipation, dry mouth, blurred vision, and difficulty urinating.

Pharmacodynamics: 

difenoxin is a synthetic opioid medication that is used to treat diarrhea. It works by binding to the mu, delta, and kappa opioid receptors in the gastrointestinal tract to slow down the movement of the intestines and reduce the frequency of bowel movements. difenoxin is often combined with atropine, a medication that belongs to a class of drugs called anticholinergics.

atropine works by blocking the action of a neurotransmitter called acetylcholine, which is responsible for controlling the movement of muscles in the gastrointestinal tract. By blocking the action of acetylcholine, atropine can help to reduce the secretions in the gut and slow down the movement of the intestines, which can help to control diarrhea.

Pharmacokinetics:  

Absorption 

It is well absorbed after oral administration.

Distribution

difenoxin is distributed throughout the body, with high concentrations found in the liver, kidney, and brain.

atropine is widely distributed throughout the body, with high concentrations found in the brain, heart, and lungs.

Metabolism 

It is metabolized in the liver by the cytochrome P450 enzyme system.

Elimination and excretion 

difenoxin is eliminated primarily in the urine and feces. The half-life of difenoxin is approximately 7 hours, and atropine is approximately 3-5 hours.

Adminstartion

Administration: 

Oral administration:

difenoxin and atropine are medications that are used together to treat diarrhea. difenoxin is an antispasmodic medication that works by relaxing the muscles in the intestines, while atropine is a medication that reduces the secretions in the gut.

The recommended dosing schedule for difenoxin and atropine varies depending on the condition being treated, but it is typically administered in the form of a tablet or capsule. It should be taken orally as directed by a healthcare provider.

Patient Information Leaflet

Patient information leaflet

Generic Name: difenoxin and atropine

Why do we use difenoxin and atropine?

difenoxin and atropine are used together to treat diarrhea. difenoxin is an antispasmodic medication that works by relaxing the muscles in the intestines, which helps to reduce the contractions and spasms that cause diarrhea. atropine, on the other hand, works by reducing the secretions in the gut, which helps to reduce the amount of fluid in the stool. Together, difenoxin and atropine can help to slow down the passage of stool through the intestines and reduce the frequency of bowel movements.