opium tincture at a glance
Medicine class
Opioid antipropulsive
Licensed use
Severe diarrhoea in adults after insufficient benefit from other anti-diarrhoea treatments
Administration
Oral drops that may be taken undiluted or mixed with water
Age restriction
Not for children or adolescents under 18 years
Controlled-drug status
Medicinal opium is a Class A, Schedule 2 controlled drug
What is opium tincture used for?
The selected UK product is licensed only for symptomatic treatment of severe diarrhoea in adults when other anti-diarrhoea treatments have not provided sufficient benefit.
Severe diarrhoea in adults after the underlying cause has been investigated and initial treatments have proved insufficient
How does opium tincture work?
Its opium alkaloids activate opioid receptors in the gut. This slows intestinal movement, delays transit and reduces secretion of water and electrolytes, allowing more fluid to be absorbed and making stools less frequent and watery.
opium tincture preparations and strengths
Oral drops
Route: Oral
Strengths: 10 mg/mL
How to take opium tincture
Use the oral drops exactly as directed by the specialist or prescriber.
The drops may be swallowed undiluted from a spoon.
Alternatively, mix them in a glass of water and use the mixture immediately.
Hold the bottle vertically when counting drops.
Do not share this prescribed medicine with anyone else.
opium tincture side effects
Common or expected effects
- Drowsiness
- Constipation
- Dry mouth
- Dizziness or headache
- Nausea or vomiting
- Reduced appetite or indigestion
- Sweating, hives or changes in taste and smell
Get urgent medical advice
- Slow or difficult breathing, confusion, seizures or blue-tinged lips
- Fast, slow or irregular heartbeat
- Difficulty passing urine
- Bowel paralysis, with abdominal pain, vomiting or failure to pass stool or wind
- Severe blistering, scaly or pustular skin eruption with fever
- Dependence, addiction or withdrawal symptoms
opium tincture in pregnancy
Human information about opium tincture in pregnancy is limited, and the selected product is not recommended unless the prescriber considers that the benefits clearly outweigh the risks. Opioid exposure near delivery can cause neonatal withdrawal and breathing or feeding problems, so pregnancy or plans for pregnancy require prompt prescriber and maternity-team review; treatment should not be stopped abruptly without advice.
opium tincture while breastfeeding
The selected opium tincture product is contraindicated during breastfeeding. Opium constituents can enter breast milk and may cause opioid toxicity, including excessive sleepiness and slowed breathing, in the infant; an alternative should be discussed with the prescriber.
opium tincture interactions
Check all prescribed, non-prescription and recreational substances because several combinations can increase toxicity or alter effectiveness.
Benzodiazepines, sleeping tablets and other sedatives
Additive sedation can cause respiratory depression, coma or death.
Gabapentin or pregabalin
The combination increases central nervous system depression and breathing risk.
Other opioids and sedating antihistamines or antiemetics
Drowsiness and respiratory depression may be increased.
Common questions about opium tincture
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Why is opium tincture used for severe diarrhoea?
It slows intestinal movement and reduces fluid secretion, which can reduce severe diarrhoea when other treatments have not worked sufficiently.
Is opium tincture licensed for pain treatment in the UK?
Not in the selected product information. Its licensed role is symptomatic treatment of severe diarrhoea in adults after insufficient response to other anti-diarrhoea treatments.
Can children take opium tincture?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.