Difenoxin
Difenoxin
Difenoxin (pronunciation: /dɪˈfɛnɒksɪn/) is a pharmaceutical drug used primarily to treat diarrhea. It is a derivative of diphenoxylate and is often combined with atropine to discourage misuse.
Etymology
The term "Difenoxin" is derived from its chemical structure, which includes two phenyl rings (di-phen-) and an oxo group (-oxin).
Pharmacology
Difenoxin acts by slowing down the movement of the intestines, allowing the body to absorb more fluid and reducing the frequency of bowel movements. It is a opioid drug, but unlike most opioids, it does not have a significant effect on pain relief.
Related Terms
- Diphenoxylate: A similar drug to difenoxin, often used in combination with it.
- Atropine: A drug often combined with difenoxin to discourage misuse.
- Opioid: A class of drugs that includes difenoxin.
- Diarrhea: The condition that difenoxin is primarily used to treat.
Side Effects
Like all drugs, difenoxin can have side effects. These can include nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and headache. In rare cases, it can cause serious side effects such as severe stomach pain or difficulty urinating. If these occur, medical attention should be sought immediately.
Precautions
Difenoxin should not be used by people with certain medical conditions, such as ulcerative colitis or diarrhea caused by bacterial infection. It should also not be used by people who are allergic to it or to similar drugs such as diphenoxylate.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Difenoxin
- Wikipedia's article - Difenoxin
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski