Expert: Vincent Camarda - 7/17/2004

Question
what is diphenoxylate hci & atropine sulfate, its usage and effect, adverse reactions.

Answer
The drug is generic Lomotil.  It is an old time medication used to treat diarhhea.  The usual dose is one tablet up to four times a day.  There are numerou side effects, most of them not significant.  The most prevalent ones are dry mouth and sleepiness.  A newer medication, available over the counter is Imodium (loperamide).  It is considered to be as effective and does not have the side effect profile that Lomotil has.