Diphenoxylate / Atropine: study card

Generic name

Diphenoxylate / Atropine

Class

Opioid antidiarrheal + anticholinergic

Mechanism

Diphenoxylate forms the active metabolite difenoxine. In dogs it acts on bowel circular muscle; the label proposes that enhanced segmentation and longer transit may explain its antidiarrheal effect. Atropine is present in a subtherapeutic amount to discourage deliberate overdose.

Used for

Adjunctive therapy for diarrhea (age 13+)

Common side effects

Drowsiness / sedation; Dizziness; Nausea, vomiting; Dry skin and mucous membranes

Warnings

Contraindicated under age 6 because of respiratory and CNS depression risk; Contraindicated for diarrhea from C. difficile pseudomembranous enterocolitis or specified invasive/enterotoxin-producing bacteria; May precipitate toxic megacolon in acute ulcerative colitis

Interactions

MAOIs (hypertensive crisis); Alcohol; Other CNS depressants

Brand questions use only name pairings verified against the linked product source. Unverified pairings are withheld from these questions; the other study content remains available.

Label date: 20260729 · For learning, not clinical decisions. US label and brand information; always consult the current source.

Source snapshot checked: 2026-10-21. The source document and selected fields were compared. The complete card has not had an independent clinical review.