Paregoric

Paregoric is used to relieve diarrhea. It decreases stomach and intestinal movement in the digestive system.

This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Paregoric comes as a liquid to take by mouth. It usually is taken one to four times a day or immediately after each loose bowel movement. Your prescription may be mixed with water before you take it; the water should turn cloudy white. Do not take more than six doses in 1 day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take paregoric exactly as directed.

Paregoric can be habit-forming. Do not take a larger dose, take it more often, or for a longer period than your doctor tells you to.

If you have taken this medication for a long time, do not stop taking it suddenly. Your doctor probably will reduce your dose gradually.

Before taking paregoric,

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to paregoric or any other drugs.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take while taking paregoric. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had liver or kidney disease, a history of alcoholism or drug abuse, lung disease, or prostatic hypertrophy.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking paregoric, call your doctor.
• if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking paregoric.
• you should know that this drug may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this drug affects you.
• remember that alcohol can add to the drowsiness caused by this drug.

Paregoric may be taken as needed. If your doctor has told you to take paregoric regularly, take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Paregoric may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• constipation
• upset stomach
• vomiting
• stomach pain
• drowsiness
• dizziness

If you experience the following symptom, call your doctor immediately:

• difficulty breathing

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online (https://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).

Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website (https://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.

It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location — one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. https://www.upandaway.org

In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911.

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor may want to check your response to paregoric.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.

• Camphorated Tincture of Opium^®