Motofen

1 What is Motofen?

Brand: Motofen

Generic: Difenoxin and Atropine

Motofen is used with other treatments to treat severe diarrhea in adults. Difenoxin helps stop diarrhea by slowing down the movements of the intestines.

Because difenoxin is chemically related to some narcotics, this medication may be habit-forming if taken in doses higher than what is prescribed. To prevent potential abuse of this medication, atropine (anticholinergic) has been added.

If higher than normal doses of the combination are taken, the atropine causes unpleasant effects, lessening the chance that such doses will be taken again.

Difenoxin and atropine combination should not be used in children. Children with diarrhea should be given solutions of carbohydrates and electrolytes to replace the water and important salts that are lost from the body during diarrhea.

This medication is only available with your doctor’s prescription. This medication is available in the following forms:

  • Tablet

2 What to Know Before Using

Before using Motofen, you must know all about the risks and complications associated with it. This is a decision that you and your doctor will make together.

For this medication, there are many things that need to be considered:

Allergies: Inform your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction to any other medications. It is also important to inform your doctor of any non-medicine allergies such as foods, dyes, preservatives or animals.

Pediatric: This medication is not to be used for children, who are very sensitive to the effects of both difenoxin and atropine.

Geriatric: Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing may be more likely to occur in older patients, who are more sensitive to the effects of difenoxin than younger adults.

Pregnancy: This medication is listed as Pregnancy Category C. This means that animal studies have shown an adverse effect and no studies have been performed on pregnant women OR there are no adequate studies on pregnant animals and pregnant women.

Breastfeeding: There are no up-to-date studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication while breastfeeding. Weigh the potential risks with the benefits before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Drug Interactions: Certain medications should not be used together. However, in certain cases, two medications may be used together, even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change your dose or take other precautions.

When taking this medication, it is important that you inform your doctor if you are taking any of the medications listed below. The following interactions were selected on the basis of potential significance and are not all-inclusive. Using this medication with any of the following is not recommended.

Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication, or change some of the other medications you take:

  • Ambenonium
  • Naltrexone
  • Potassium

Using this medication with any of the following medication is not recommended, but may be unavoidable in some cases. 

Your doctor may make the decision not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medications you take:

  • Bromazepam
  • Buprenorphine
  • Bupropion
  • Carbinoxamine
  • Digoxin
  • Donepezil
  • Fentanyl
  • Flibanserin
  • Furazolidone
  • Hydrocodone
  • Iproniazid
  • Isocarboxazid
  • Linezolid
  • Meclizine
  • Methadone
  • Methylene Blue
  • Moclobemide
  • Morphine
  • Morphine Sulfate Liposome
  • Oxycodone
  • Oxymorphone
  • Phenelzine
  • Procarbazine
  • Rasagiline
  • Safinamide
  • Selegiline
  • Sodium Oxybate
  • Suvorexant
  • Tapentadol
  • Tranylcypromine

Using this medication with any of the following medications may increase your risk of side effects. However, using both medications may be the best treatment for you.

If both medications are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you take one or both medications:

  • Arbutamine

Other Interactions: Certain medications should not be used while eating, or while eating certain foods in the case of negative interactions. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medications may also cause negative interactions. Talk with your doctor about the use of your medication with food, alcohol or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems: Pre-existing medical problems may affect the use of this medication.

Be sure to tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

  • Alcohol abuse
  • Drug abuse - There is a greater chance that this medicine may become habit-forming
  • Colitis - A more serious problem of the colon may develop if you use this medicine
  • Down's syndrome -Side effects may be more likely and severe in these patients
  • Dysentery - This condition may get worse; a different kind of treatment may be needed
  • Emphysema, asthma, bronchitis, or another chronic lung disease - There is a greater chance that this medicine may cause breathing problems in patients who have any of these conditions
  • Enlarged prostate
  • Urinary tract blockage or difficult urination - Problems with urination may develop with the use of this medicine
  • Gallbladder disease or gallstones - Use of this medicine may cause spasms of the biliary tract and make the condition worse
  • Glaucoma - Severe pain in the eye may occur with the use of this medicine; however, the chance of this happening is low
  • Heart disease - This medicine may have some effects on the heart, which may make the condition worse
  • A hiatal hernia - The atropine in this medicine may make this condition worse; however, the chance of this happening is low
  • High blood pressure (hypertension) - The atropine in this medicine may cause an increase in blood pressure; however, the chance of this happening is low
  • Intestinal blockage - This medicine may make the condition worse
  • Kidney disease - The atropine in this medicine may build up in the body and cause side effects
  • Liver disease - The chance of central nervous system (CNS) side effects, including coma, may be greater in patients who have this condition
  • Myasthenia gravis - This medicine may make the condition worse
  • Overactive or underactive thyroid - Unwanted effects on breathing and heart rate may occur
  • Overflow incontinence - This medicine may make the condition worse

3 Proper Usage

Proper usage of Motofen requires strict adherence to your doctor’s orders. Do not take more, less or for a longer or shorter period of time than your doctor tells you.

This medication comes with a patient information brochure. It is very important that your read this information. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

If this medication upsets your stomach, your doctor may tell you to take it with food.

Dosing: Different patients will be given a different dose of this medication based on the strength of the medication. The number of doses you take each day, the time between doses and the length of time you take this medication depends on the reason you are taking this medication.

The following information only includes the average dose of this medication. If your dose is different, do not change it without first speaking to your doctor.

  • Adults and teenagers - The first is normally 2mg. Afterwards, the dose is 1mg taken after each loose stool every 3-4 hours as needed. Do not take more than 8mg in a 24-hour period.
  • Children - Use is not recommended.

Missed dose: If you miss a dose of this medication, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your normal dosing schedule. Do not double dose.

Storage: Store this medication in a closed container at room temperature. Keep it away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Do not freeze.

Keep our of the reach of children. Do not keep expired medication or medication you no longer need. Ask your doctor how to dispose of any medication you do not use.

4 Precautions to Take

Before using Motofen, there are some precautions you must take. It is very important that your doctor checks in with you often while you are receiving this medication to make sure that it is working properly.

Do not take other prescription or over-the-counter medications without asking your doctor. Inform your doctor if your diarrhea does not stop after 2 days or if you develop a fever.

This medication may add to the effects of alcohol and other CNS depressants (medications that make your drowsy or less alert).

Some examples of CNS depressants are antihistamines or allergy medications, sedatives or sleeping medications, prescription pain medications or narcotics, medications for seizures or barbiturates, muscle relaxants or anaesthetics. Inform your doctor if you are using any of the above while on this medication.

This medication may cause some people to become dizzy, drowsy or less alert than normal. This is more likely to happen when you begin taking this medication, or when you increase the dosage. Make sure you know how you react to this medication before driving, using machinery or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert.

If you believe you may have taken an overdose of this medication, seek immediate emergency help. Taking an overdose of this medication may lead to unconsciousness or death. Symptoms of overdose include severe, drowsiness, fast heartbeat (tachycardia), shortness of breath or troubled breathing, unusual warmth, dryness and flushing of the skin.

Inform the medical doctor in charge that you are taking this medication before having any surgery or emergency treatment.

5 Potential Side Effects

Make sure you meet with your doctor in using Motofen to avoid unwanted potential side effects. Some side effects that may occur do not normally need medical attention. These may leave as your body becomes accustomed to treatment.

Ask your doctor about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Ask your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

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