Drug interactions
Diphenoxylate-atropine + Pilocarpine
Severity: Moderate
Diphenoxylate-atropine and Pilocarpine: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Atropine blocks the muscarinic receptors that pilocarpine stimulates, so each may reduce the effect of the other. This could weaken the response to pilocarpine for dry mouth, or reduce the atropine effect on gut motility.
What this interaction means in plain words
Diphenoxylate-atropine and Pilocarpine can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Diphenoxylate-atropine belongs to Gastrointestinal Tract; Pilocarpine belongs to Miscellaneous.
Why it happens
Pharmacodynamic antagonism at muscarinic receptors.
What to do
Monitor for reduced pilocarpine efficacy, such as persistent dry mouth. Consider a different antidiarrheal if needed.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Diphenoxylate-atropine
- Diphenoxylate-atropine + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Diphenoxylate-atropine + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Diphenoxylate-atropine + Tranylcypromine Contraindicated
- Alfentanil + Diphenoxylate-atropine Major
- Alvimopan + Diphenoxylate-atropine Major
- Amitriptyline + Diphenoxylate-atropine Major
Other interactions of Pilocarpine
- Amitriptyline + Pilocarpine Moderate
- Atenolol-chlorthalidone + Pilocarpine Moderate
- Atenolol + Pilocarpine Moderate
- Atropine + Pilocarpine Moderate
- Betaxolol + Pilocarpine Moderate
- Bethanechol + Pilocarpine Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Diphenoxylate-atropine with Pilocarpine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Diphenoxylate-atropine and Pilocarpine can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Atropine blocks the muscarinic receptors that pilocarpine stimulates, so each may reduce the effect of the other. This could weaken the response to pilocarpine for dry mouth, or reduce the atropine effect on gut motility.
How serious is the interaction between Diphenoxylate-atropine and Pilocarpine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor for reduced pilocarpine efficacy, such as persistent dry mouth. Consider a different antidiarrheal if needed.
What other medicines interact with Diphenoxylate-atropine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Diphenoxylate-atropine with, for example, Isocarboxazid, Phenelzine, Tranylcypromine. The full list is on the Diphenoxylate-atropine page.
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