Lomotil

Recommended dosage

ADULTS

The recommended starting dosage is 2 tablets 4 times a day or 2 regular teaspoonfuls (10 milliliters) of liquid 4 times per day.

Once your diarrhea is under control, your doctor may reduce the dosage; you may need as little as 5 milligrams (2 tablets or 10 milliliters of liquid) per day.

You should see improvement within 48 hours. If your diarrhea persists after you have taken 20 milligrams a day for 10 days, the drug is not likely to work for you.

CHILDREN

Lomotil is not recommended in children under 2 years of age.

Your doctor will take into account your child's nutritional status and degree of dehydration before prescribing this drug.

The recommended dose for children 13 to 16 years old is 2 tablets or 2 teaspoonfuls of liquid three times a day.

In children under 13 years of age, use only Lomotil liquid and administer with the plastic dropper. The recommended starting dosage is 0.3 to 0.4 milligram per 2.2 pounds of body weight per day, divided into 4 equal doses. The following table provides approximate starting dosage recommendations for children:

2 years (24-31 pounds):
1.5-3.0 milligrams, 4 times daily
3 years (26-35 pounds):
2.0-3.0 milligrams, 4 times daily
4 years (31-44 pounds):
2.0-4.0 milligrams, 4 times daily
5 years (35-51 pounds):
2.5-4.5 milligrams, 4 times daily
6-8 years (38-71 pounds):
2.5-5.0 milligrams, 4 times daily
9-12 years (51-121 pounds):
3.5-5.0 milligrams, 4 times daily

Your doctor may reduce the dosage as soon as symptoms are controlled. A maintenance dosage may be as low as one-quarter of the starting dose. If your child does not show improvement within 48 hours, Lomotil is unlikely to work.

Overdosage

An overdose of Lomotil can be dangerous and even fatal. If you suspect an overdose, seek medical attention immediately.

• Symptoms of Lomotil overdose may include:
  Coma, dry skin and mucous membranes, enlarged pupils of the eyes, extremely high body temperature, flushing, involuntary eyeball movement, lower than normal muscle tone, pinpoint pupils, rapid heartbeat, restlessness, sluggishness, suppressed breathing

Suppressed breathing may be seen as late as 30 hours after an overdose.