Paregoric

Paregoric, also known as Camphorated Opium Tincture, is a

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medicine known for its antidiarrhoeal and systemic properties.

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The principal active ingredient of this mixture is morphine (~ 1%), with other ingredients being benzoic acid, camphor and anise oil.

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The main effect of this preparation is to increase the muscular tone of the intestine, and also to inhibit normal peristalsis.

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Its main medicinal use is to control fulminant diarrhea. It is also an antitussive (cough suppressant).

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Paregoric is mainly of historical importance — it was devised in the 18th century,

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but can still be found in the US pharmacopoeia.

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During the 19th century it was a favourite household remedy that was widely used to calm fretful children. Paregoric could also mask symptoms of diseases that needed urgent medical attention, and is generally regarded as outdated.

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Paregoric (camphorated tincture of opium) should not be confused with tincture of opium or laudanum. Paregoric contains 0.4 milligrams of morphine per milliliter, while tincture of opium (laudanum) contains 10 milligrams of morphine per milliliter, a 25-fold difference. Confusion between the two drugs has led to overdose and deaths in several patients. The term "paregoric" should always be used instead of "camphorated opium tincture," since the latter may be confused with opium tincture.

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Paregoric is a Schedule III drug under the United States Controlled Substances Act.

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Problems with its use include: possible opiate dependency.

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Opium: Opium is a narcotic drug which is obtained from the unripe seed pods of the opium poppy (Papaver somniferum L. or the synonym paeoniflorum)....

Tincture: :This article is about alcoholic liquids. For the colors used in a coat of arms, see tincture (heraldry)....

Medicine: Medicine is a branch of health science concerned with maintaining human health and restoring it by treating disease and injury; it is both an area of knowledge, a science of body systems and diseases and their treatment, and the applied practice of that knowledge....