ExoticRx · exoticrx.com/drugs/diphenoxylate-atropine
US brand names:Lomotil
Diphenoxylate-Atropine is dosed at 0.05–0.1 mg/kg PO q8-12h in dogs, per Washabau R. The Colon: Dietary & medical management of colonic disease. Presented at: ACVIM Forum; 2005. — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.440 (2026-08-01).. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
Diphenoxylate is a synthetic opioid (mu-receptor agonist) that slows GI motility. Combined with subtherapeutic atropine to discourage misuse.
May cause CNS depression at high doses. Avoid in infectious diarrhea. Atropine component may cause anticholinergic effects. Use cautiously in cats.
Species references:All Cat (Domestic) drugsAll Dog (Domestic) drugs
Controlled substance in the US
Controlled-drug status and schedules differ by country — check your local scheduling rules.
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A dog/cat sample is shown here. Cited dosing for all 2 species — reptiles, birds, pocket pets, livestock, and equine — is free on the per-species pages above. Pro adds the weight-based calculator for every species.
| Species | Route | Dose | Frequency | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dog (Domestic) | PO | 0.05–0.1 mg/kg | q8-12h | Moderate | Washabau R. The Colon: Dietary & medical management of colonic disease. Presented at: ACVIM Forum; 2005. — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.440 (2026-08-01). |
| Cat (Domestic) | PO | 0.05–0.1 mg/kg | q12h | Weak | Marks SL. GI therapeutics: which ones and when? Presented at: International Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society; 2008. Distributed by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.440 (2026-08-01). |
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View PlansSource citations and evidence levels available on the live page. Reference only — verify against current literature before clinical use.