What is opium syrup? Benefits and side effects of opium medicine

Diarrhea is one of the most common complications in the field of health and medicine, which is accompanied by an increase in stools in the form of abundant liquid and changes in the color and smell of stools. This problem can be caused by intestinal infections to chronic problems and severe diseases such as cholera (death and loss of body fluids). Therefore, the treatment of diarrhea is considered as an important issue in medicine and health. One of the important drugs used in this field is opium syrup. In the following, we will examine the mechanism of action, indications for use, method of administration, precautions and contraindications for the use of Opium.

Medicinal forms of opium

1. Oral liquid (syrup) 118 ml in a bottle, each ml contains 10 mg of anhydrous morphine.

Uses of opium syrup

Opium drug is used to treat diarrhea and helps to reduce the frequency of defecation and works by slowing down the movement of the intestines. Opium belongs to a class of drugs known as opioid pain relievers, but it works primarily to slow down the bowel.

Pharmacological effects and mechanism of action of Opium drug

Due to the presence of morphine, opium inhibits the movement of the digestive tract and reduces digestive secretion. It increases the tone of the muscles of the digestive system. This drug has a high absorption power and is well absorbed from the digestive system. Opium is extensively metabolized in the liver and combined with glucuronic acid. The metabolites of this drug include morphine-3-glucuronide, morphine-3-6-diglucuronide, and finally, 75% is excreted through urine.

Opium dosage

Take this medication by mouth as directed by your doctor, usually 4 times a day. In case of stomach upset, it may be taken with food. Carefully measure each dose using the dropper provided. If your medication comes in an oral syringe, use the syringe to measure the dose. The dose may be mixed with a small amount of water just before use. Note that the dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. If you suddenly stop taking this medicine, you may experience withdrawal symptoms (such as sweating, nausea, vomiting, restlessness).

Time to use opium syrup

Before taking opium syrup, read the drug information on the drug packaging, including the cases and how to use it. To help prevent withdrawal, your doctor may reduce your dose slowly. If you have been using opium for a long time or in high doses, there is a possibility of withdrawal. Although this drug helps many people in treatment, but in some cases it will cause addiction. For this reason, if you intend to stop the drug suddenly, consult your doctor about the side effects of stopping the drug.

Diarrhea can sometimes cause dehydration. Drinking the right amount of fluids and electrolytes is very important to prevent this effect. Tell your doctor right away if you have signs of dehydration (such as unusual urination, unusual dry mouth or thirst, fast heart rate, or dizziness or lightheadedness). You may also need to change your mild diet during this time to reduce stomach and intestinal irritation. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more information. If your condition persists or worsens after 2 to 3 days, tell your doctor.

How to use opium syrup

1. Opium is prescribed by some doctors to treat diarrhea, the recommended dose is 6 mg (0.6 ml) orally every 6 hours, with a total dose not to exceed 6 ml per day.
2. Orphan designation is used to treat chronic diarrhea in patients with short bowel syndrome with inadequate response to antidiarrheal therapy. The dosage for adults will depend on the doctor’s opinion and prescription.
3. The safety and effectiveness of this drug for children, adolescents and the elderly have not been proven.

Precautions

Before taking Opium, if you are allergic to it or other opioids (such as codeine, morphine) and papaverine, avoid using it. This medicine may contain inactive ingredients that can cause allergic reactions or other problems. If you have medical records including brain disorders (such as head injury, tumor, seizures), breathing problems (such as asthma, sleep apnea, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), kidney disease, liver disease, mental or creative disorders (such as confusion, depression), history Personal or family substance use disorder, stomach and intestinal problems (such as obstruction, constipation, diarrhea caused by infection, paralytic ileus), difficulty urinating (such as prostate enlargement), pancreatic disease (pancreatitis), gallbladder disease, etc. with a doctor consult.

Opium syrup will cause drowsiness and confusion in some patients, in this regard, avoid doing activities that require high alertness (such as driving and working with machines). Use caution if you have diabetes, liver disease, or any other condition that requires you to limit or avoid alcohol in your diet. Elderly people may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially slow or shallow breathing and drowsiness. Before using this medicine, women of reproductive age should consult their doctor about its risks.

Warnings for the use of opium syrup

1. Use caution in the elderly, infirm, and in patients with increased intracranial pressure, cerebral arteriosclerosis, liver cirrhosis or liver failure, gastrointestinal bleeding, myxedema, emphysema, and bronchial asthma.
2. Addiction can be caused by opium use. Opium preparations should be given in the lowest effective dose and as infrequently as possible to minimize the development of tolerance and physical dependence.
3. Tincture of opium contains 25 times more morphine than pargoric and should never be confused with the latter.
4. When opium-containing products are prescribed in combination with other drugs, precautions for each ingredient should be considered. Dose reduction should be considered in low-risk patients, very young or very old patients, and those receiving other central nervous system depressants.
5. Use with caution in patients with acute adrenal insufficiency (eg, Addison’s disease).
6. It should be used with caution and doctor’s advice in patients with biliary tract dysfunction, gastrointestinal bleeding, or liver disorders.

Opium drug contraindications

1. Hypersensitivity
2. Respiratory disease and depression, toxic diarrhea (until toxic substances are removed from the digestive tract), pseudomembranous colitis

Opium side effects

Nausea, vomiting, lightheadedness, dizziness, drowsiness or constipation are some of the side effects of opium. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist right away. To reduce the risk of dizziness and light-headedness, stand up slowly when getting up from a sitting or lying position. Some of the serious side effects of this drug include mental and behavioral changes (such as restlessness, confusion, hallucinations), severe stomach and abdominal pain, difficulty urinating, fainting or seizures, slow or shallow breathing, severe sleepiness, and difficulty waking up. And… it is.

1. constipation
2. Drowsiness
3. Confusion or headache
4. nausea
5. lightheadedness
6. Vomit
7. itching
8. urticaria

Drug interactions of opium

Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk of serious side effects. Patients, prepare a list of chemical and herbal medicines you use and show it to the doctor. The risk of serious side effects (such as slow or shallow breathing, drowsiness, and severe dizziness) may be increased if this drug is taken with other drugs that also cause drowsiness or breathing problems. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking other medicines, such as other pain or cough medicines (such as codeine, hydrocodone), alcohol, marijuana (cannabis), sleep or anxiety medicines (such as alprazolam, lorazepam, zolpidem), muscle relaxants.

1. Class X interactions (avoid): azelastine (nasal), bromperidol, eloxadoline, opioids (mixed agonists and antagonists), orphenadrine, oxomazine, paraldehyde, thalidomide
2. Reducing the effects of drugs by opium: diuretics, gastrointestinal drugs (prokinetic), pegvisomant, cinchalide
3. Increased effects of drugs by opium: pramipexole, ramosterone, ropinirole, rotigotine, specific serotonin reuptake inhibitors, serotonergic drugs (high risk), suvrexant, thalidomide, zolpidem, alvimopan, azelastine (nasal), blonanserin, desmopressin, diuretics, eloxadoline, flunitrazepam, Methotrexate, metyrosine, opioid agonists, orphenadrine, oxycodone, paraldehyde
4. Enhancement of opium effects by drugs: CNS depressants, dimetinden (topical), dronabinol, droperidol, kava herb, lemborexant, lisuride, lofexidine, magnesium sulfate, methotrexate, minocycline (systemic), nabilone, oxomazine, prampanel, rufinamide, sodium oxybate, succinyl Choline, tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol, alizapride, amphetamines, anticholinergic drugs, brimonidine (topical), bromopride, bromperidol, cannabidiol, marijuana (cannabis), chlormethiazole, chlorphenesine carbamate

Opium syrup consumption during pregnancy and breastfeeding

Opium drug is in group C in terms of risk during pregnancy, that is, it can be used under the supervision and examination of a doctor. Animal studies have shown limited side effects of this drug, and no specific human studies are available. The benefits of the drug against possible risks determine whether or not to use this drug during pregnancy.

Opium drug storage conditions

Opium should be stored at room temperature and away from light. It is also important to keep all medications out of the reach of children, as many forms of medication (such as weekly tablets and eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and can be easily opened by young children. . Unnecessary medications should be disposed of in specific ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot ingest them.

A final word about the drug opium

As we said in this article from Positive Green Pharmacy magazine, opium drug has been medically approved as a painkiller and antidiarrheal. The effectiveness of this drug in reducing the number of stools, improving the condition of stool fluidity and reducing the unpleasant symptoms of diarrhea has been confirmed. However, the use of opium requires careful attention and supervision by a doctor. Indiscriminate use of this drug can lead to serious problems and side effects, and opium use should be determined by a doctor in specific cases.

Site source: Medscape