Paregoric drugs: Uses, indications and precautions when using

Paregoric belongs to the class of opioid pain relievers, used to treat diarrhea, to help limit the frequency of your bowel movements. Paregoric works by slowing the movement of the intestines.

Paregoric is effective in treating diarrhea, helping to reduce the frequency of your bowel movements. Paregoric works by slowing bowel movements, but it works primarily by reducing bowel movements.
Because the prescription drug Paregoric slows down bowel movements, do not use it to treat diarrhea caused by poisoning until the poison is completely eliminated from the intestines.

Paregoric is to be taken by mouth as directed by your doctor, usually 1 to 4 times per day. Paregoric can be taken with food if stomach upset occurs. Shake the bottle well before use, measure the dose with a special measuring tool or spoon. Do not use a household spoon because it can cause the dose to be erroneous and inaccurate. Dosage is based on medical condition and response to treatment, and for children will be based on weight.
Use Paregoric medicine regularly to get the most benefit from it. Never increase the dose or abuse the drug for longer than prescribed. This not only makes the condition improve faster, but also increases the risk of unwanted side effects. If you suddenly stop taking the drug, withdrawal symptoms such as sweating, vomiting, and restlessness may develop. To prevent withdrawal, your doctor will reduce your dose slowly before stopping completely.

Some unwanted effects may occur when using Paregoric drugs as follows:
Nausea, vomiting. Dizzy. Dizzy . Sleepy. Constipation . Serious side effects such as mental status changes, stomach pain, difficulty urinating, fainting, shallow breathing, seizures, etc. Diarrhea can cause dehydration, symptoms include unusual thirst. Usually, dry mouth, slow heartbeat, dizziness, lightheadedness,... If used in high doses for a long time, Paregoric can cause addiction. This risk is increased if you have a stimulant use disorder. Before prescribing, doctors always weigh the benefits of Paregoric medicine more than the risk of side effects. However, some cases when using Paregoric can still occur unwanted effects. Therefore, when you notice unusual signs such as rash, shortness of breath, severe dizziness, etc., it is necessary to notify medical staff for timely intervention. Some notes when using the drug Paregoric.

Some notes when using Paregoric drugs include:
Report a history of allergy to Paregoric, opioids (codeine, morphine) or any other allergic conditions to your doctor. Report medical history, especially brain disorders (head trauma, epilepsy, tumors); breathing problems ( asthma , sleep apnea , chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ); liver and kidney disease; mental disorders (confusion, depression); a family or personal history of a substance use disorder; gastrointestinal problems (constipation, diarrhea due to infection, paralytic ileus); difficulty urinating; pancreatitis or gallbladder disease... Paregoric can be addictive, so do not increase the dose regularly or use it for longer than prescribed. Stop the medication properly as directed by your doctor. Replenish water and electrolytes as diarrhea can cause dehydration. Besides, it is necessary to change the light diet during this time to reduce stomach and intestinal irritation. Paregoric medicine can make you drowsy and dizzy, so do not use stimulants such as alcohol, beer... Do not drive or use machines or do any work that requires alertness. Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you are using, including prescription and nonprescription drugs, vitamins, and herbal products. Older adults may be sensitive to the side effects of the drug, especially slow breathing and drowsiness. Therefore, consider using Paregoric with the elderly. Before using Paregoric, women of childbearing age should discuss with their doctor the risks and benefits of the drug. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. During pregnancy, Paregoric should be used only when clearly needed, as it may slightly increase the risk of birth defects if taken during the first two months of pregnancy. In addition, using Paregoric for a long time or in high doses near the due date can harm the unborn baby. To reduce this risk, take the medicine in a small effective dose for the shortest possible time. Notify your doctor immediately if you notice any symptoms in your infant such as slow breathing, shallow breathing, irritability, unusual or incessant crying, vomiting, diarrhea, etc. Paregoric drugs. Paregoric passes into breast milk and may cause unwanted effects on a nursing baby. Tell your doctor right away if your baby shows signs of being unusually sleepy, having trouble feeding, or having trouble breathing. If you forget to take a dose of Paregoric, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Absolutely do not arbitrarily use double the dose compared to the treatment regimen. Overdosing on Paregoric can cause serious symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, dizziness, slow breathing, slow heart rate, fainting, muscle weakness, weakness,...

Drug interactions may reduce the therapeutic effect of Paregoric or increase unwanted effects. So tell your doctor about all other medicines you are taking. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine without your doctor's consent.
Some drugs that can interact with Paregoric include:
Mixed agonist pain relievers, opioid antagonists... Naltrexone. Opioid pain relievers or cough suppressants codeine, hydrocodone. Stimulants such as alcohol, beer,... Sleeping pills or anxiety relievers such as lorazepam, alprazolam, zolpidem,... Muscle relaxants carisoprodol, cyclobenzaprine. Antihistamines such as cetirizine, diphenhydramine.

Store Paregoric at room temperature, away from moisture and direct light. Do not store Paregoric in a humid place or in the freezer. Keep Paregoric out of the reach of children and family pets. When Paregoric is past its expiry date or cannot be used anymore, dispose of it properly. Do not arbitrarily dispose of Paregoric into an environment such as a water pipe or toilet, unless requested to do so. In a nutshell, Paregoric belongs to the class of opioid analgesics, which are used to treat diarrhea. Paregoric works by slowing the movement of the intestines. However, Paregoric can cause some unwanted effects, so use it exactly as prescribed by your doctor.

Reference source: Webmd.com