opium tincture

Medically Reviewed on 5/17/2023

What is tincture of opium liquid, and what is it used for?

Opium tincture is an oral liquid medication used to control diarrhea. Opium tincture contains morphine, which is an opioid pain reliever. Opioids can reduce gastrointestinal motility, propulsion, secretions, and increase gastrointestinal muscle tone. These effects help in controlling diarrhea. Opium tincture is a controlled substance.

What are the side effects of tincture of opium liquid?

Side effects of opium tincture are:

Respiratory depression and physical and psychological dependence also occur.

What is the dosage for tincture of opium liquid?

  • Adults: Take 0.6 ml by mouth 4 times a day not to exceed 6 ml per day.
  • Children: Safe and effective use of opium tincture is not established in children.

Which drugs interact with tincture of opium liquid?

Opium tincture should not be used with medications like naltrexone and buprenorphine because they increase sedation and lower beneficial effect of opium tincture.

Opium tincture contains morphine. Morphine should be avoided in patients treated with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI) due to enhance toxicity of morphine including confusion, high blood pressure, tremor, hyperactivity, coma, and death. Drugs in this class include isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), tranylcypromine (Parnate), selegiline (Eldepryl), and procarbazine (Matulane), and linezolid (Zyvox). Morphine should not be administered within 14 days of stopping an MAOI.

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Pregnancy and breastfeeding

There are no adequate studies done on opium tincture to determine safe and effective use in pregnant women.

Opium tincture contains morphine. Morphine is excreted in breast milk; however, the American Academy of Pediatrics committee states that it is safe to use while breastfeeding.

What else should I know about tincture of opium liquid?

What preparations of tincture of opium liquid are available?

Opium tincture is odorless oral liquid containing 10 mg of anhydrous morphine per one ml.

How should I keep tincture of opium liquid stored?

Store tincture of opium at room temperature between 68 F to 77 F (20 C to 25 C).

Summary

Opium tincture is a controlled substance prescribed to treat diarrhea. Side effects of opium tincture are sedation, constipation, nausea, vomiting, itching, and rash. Respiratory depression and physical and psychological dependence also occur.

Treatment & Diagnosis

Prevention & Wellness

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Medically Reviewed on 5/17/2023
References
Medically reviewed by John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP; Board Certified Emergency Medicine

REFERENCE:

Tincture of Opium Prescribing Information.