Drug reference

opium

Opioid · Antidiarrheal; Opioid analgesic

OpioidAntidiarrheal; Opioid analgesicATC A07DA02

CDSCO approvedATC A07DA02

EXCRETION

—

not curated

INTERACTIONS

12 major

SEVERE in our sources

PREGNANCY

—

not curated

Top interactionssee all 12 →

AlvimopanSevereDatabaseDDInter
BuprenorphineSevereDatabaseDDInter
BupropionSevereDatabaseDDInter
ButorphanolSevereDatabaseDDInter

Mechanism

Opium and its tinctures contain morphine and other opioid alkaloids, which act on opioid receptors, primarily mu opioid receptors, to inhibit intestinal motility and secretion, thus exerting an antidiarrheal effect.

Indications

Diarrhea

Dosing

Adult: Deodorized tincture of opium: 0.6 mL (equivalent to 6 mg morphine) four times daily. Paregoric (camphorated opium tincture): 5 to 10 mL (equivalent to 2–4 mg morphine) one to four times daily.
Pediatric: Paregoric: 0.25 to 0.5 mL/kg (equivalent to 0.1–0.2 mg morphine/kg) one to four times daily.

Side effects

Serious

Dangerous overdoses (due to confusion between tinctures of different strengths)

Drug interactions

Alvimopan

Severe

Database

Drug interaction classified as: synergy

Source: DDInter

Buprenorphine

Severe

Database

Drug interaction classified as: synergy

Source: DDInter

Bupropion

Severe

Database

Drug interaction classified as: synergy

Source: DDInter

Butorphanol

Severe

Database

Drug interaction classified as: synergy

Source: DDInter

Dextropropoxyphene

Severe

Database

Clinical effect not specified

Source: DDInter

Dezocine

Severe

Database

Clinical effect not specified

Source: DDInter

Iohexol

Severe

Database

Clinical effect not specified

Source: DDInter

Iopamidol

Severe

Database

Clinical effect not specified

Source: DDInter

Isocarboxazid

Severe

Database

Clinical effect not specified

Source: DDInter

Linezolid

Severe

Database

Clinical effect not specified

Source: DDInter

Methylene Blue

Severe

Database

Clinical effect not specified

Source: DDInter

Nalbuphine

Severe

Database

Clinical effect not specified

Source: DDInter

Related guidelines

Substance use disorders

NIMHANS · Psychiatry · 2022

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

ICS · Pulmonology · 2022

Extrapulmonary tuberculosis

ICMR · Infectious Diseases · 2022

Childhood pneumonia and respiratory infection

MOHFW · Paediatrics · 2021

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Sources: Goodman & Gilman 14e·Verified: 2026-05-10 · House clinical team