User:Mr. Ibrahem/Diphenoxylate/atropine

Diphenoxylate/atropine, also known as co-phenotrope, is a combination of the medications diphenoxylate and atropine, used to treat diarrhea. It may be used for mild travelers' diarrhea but is not recommended for severe disease or if blood is present. It should not be used in those in whom Clostridioides difficile infection is a concern. It is taken by mouth. Benefits begin within an hour and last for up to 4 hours.

Common side effects include nausea, abdominal pain, sleepiness, itchiness, confusion, and headache. It may worsen disease in those with certain infections. There are concerns of abuse and respiratory depression with high doses. It is unclear if use in pregnancy is safe and use when breastfeeding it may result in side effects in the baby. It is an opioid that acts on the intestines to decrease contractions. The atropine is present to decrease the risk of misuse.

Diphenoxylate was first made in 1956. The combination was approved for medical use in the United States in 1960. It is available as a generic medication and over the counter. In the United States the wholesale cost per is dose is US$0.31. In 2017, it was the 353rd most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 700thousand prescriptions. It is sold under the brand name Lomotil among others. The medication is in Schedule V in the United States.