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•	Encyclopedia Home
•	Poisons A-Z
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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.

Alternative Names

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
• 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 U.S. 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 assistance
• 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.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.