Editing Laudanum (section)

== Medical uses ==

===Diarrhea===
Opium tincture is indicated for the treatment of severe [[fulminant]] (intense, prolific) [[diarrhea]] that does not respond to standard therapy (e.g., [[Imodium]] or [[Lomotil]]).<ref name="Opium Tincture Package Insert and Prescribing Information"/>
The usual starting dose is 0.3&nbsp;mL to 0.6&nbsp;mL (about six to 12 drops) in a glass of water or juice four times a day.<ref name="Opium Tincture Package Insert and Prescribing Information"/> Refractory cases (such as diarrhea resulting from the complications of [[HIV/AIDS]]) may require higher than normal dosing, for example, 1 to 2&nbsp;mL every 3 hours, for a total daily dose of up to 16&nbsp;mL a day. In terminal diseases, there is no ceiling dose for opium tincture; the dose is increased slowly until diarrhea is controlled.<ref name="20 Common Problems in End-of-Life Care">{{cite book
|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=ZPgawhewn2gC&q=opium+tincture+no+maximum+dose+aids&pg=PA395|title = End of Life Care for Patients with AIDS
|access-date = 2009-01-30
|publisher = McGraw Hill, 2006|isbn = 9780070348837
|year = 2002
}}</ref>

=== Neonatal abstinence syndrome ===
Opium tincture is used to treat [[neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome]] (NOWS) when diluted 1:25 (one part opium tincture to 25 parts water).<ref name="Goldfrank's Toxicological Emergencies">{{cite book
|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=HVYyRsuUEc0C&q=neonatal+withdrawal+syndrome+opium+tincture&pg=PA1069|title = Neonatal Withdrawal Syndromes
|access-date = 2009-01-30
|publisher = McGraw Hill, 2006|isbn = 9780071360012
|year = 2002
}}</ref> The recommended dose is 0.2&nbsp;mL of the diluted solution under the tongue every three hours, which may be increased by 0.05&nbsp;mL every three hours until no objective signs of withdrawal are observed.<ref name="Goldfrank's Toxicological Emergencies"/> In no event, however, should the dose exceed 0.7&nbsp;mL every three hours.<ref name="Goldfrank's Toxicological Emergencies"/> The opium tincture is gradually tapered over a 3- to 5-week period, at which point the newborn should be completely free of withdrawal symptoms.<ref name="Goldfrank's Toxicological Emergencies"/>