I'm a 66 year old male that has been suffering with diarrhea for 44 years now. All I ever hear from doctors is I have IBS. Every time I get a new doctor they always want to do the whole battery of GI test. I am so over these tests that I won't do another one. The only thing that has ever helped me for short periods of time has been Imodium or Loperamide. The problem is I have had to increase the dosage to 4 Caplets at a time and it has diminishing results as time goes by. I have been talking about Peregoric with my healthcare providers and all they see is DEA agents behind every tree. Help! Where do I find Perigoric and how to take it in terms of dosage? Thank you. From a desperate walking diarrhea bomb!
Is Paregoric still available for purchase? Where do you get it?
Question posted by detroit1945 on 19 May 2012
Last updated on 23 October 2020 by higgipoo
My original questions that I had when I discovered this website were fairly specific. Is Paregoric still available for purchase? Where do you get it? The knowledge I had when I got here was that Paregoric is available for sale in Brasil and Trinidad. And, that with a proper prescription Canadian pharmacists will mix up a batch from scratch and ship it. I was hoping that there would be at least one person that might have experience with this method of dealing with the symptoms of IBS specifically the diarrhea part. But, to date no one with experience in that area has come through. Maybe over time someone will come forward with information about this specific use of narcotics for relief. My regular healthcare provider at the VA is a nice lady but she doesn't have a clue about how to deal with the symptoms of IBS. So, I see her every 3 to 6 months and she comes up with another suggestion. I did that for a long time with her until I figured out she didn't have a clue about how to deal with my condition. I asked her for a consult to GI doctor. He's what they call a fellow which I think means that he was the top guy in his medical school class which also means he doesn't/didn't have a lot of practical experience but he's real smart. I came up with the same method that my primary healthcare provider had with me which was to throw a lot of s**t on the wall and see what sticks. Unfortunately, none of it stuck other than they took my gall bladder out but it didn't do any good. The point being that every time I turn around each person has a suggestion or has heard about a suggestion that are all mainstream procedures or meds or treatments and they just do not f**k**g work! There are only two outcomes as far as I'm concerned either it's going to require some kind of exotic cure which is ify at beast. The Paregoric solution is the most long standing solution to the problem -- there is cryptic references to meds like it going back to the ancient Egyptians; Napoleon had the problem and used Paregoric like meds, the same ingredients were in his meds; William Wilberforce the British man that effectively ended slavery in England with the help of Prime Minister Penn had severe IBS that was aggravated by all the stress he was under on his quest he was on but he definitely used Paregoric like meds which was probably closer to Laudanum and up till recently, in my lifetime it was used extensively to control diarrhea. Then a certain group in this country, and, you know who you are, made it not just difficult but near impossible to use meds like Paregoric to help people with severe health problems because the devil was in those ingredients. My brother died at 33 years of age of cancer that had excruciating pain that went along with it. Yet, the people that control those pain substances would not allow anything more than a 7 day supply of the pain meds because they were a controlled substance and that group, and, you know who you are, controlled the distribution to the point that we would run out and we couldn't find a drug store to fill the prescription. So, again, I will wait and maybe some with the right experience with Paregoric, Laudanum or whatever will come along and share that information with me. Mike
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31 Answers
When I was, a young woman paregoric was used for severe diarrhea. It was the best med for this purpose back then you needed a prescription not many dr's would write one. I hope that there is a way of getting this great med again. Can anyone help?
Dear detroit1945,
First, let me say, thank you for your service to Our Country. As a citizen of these United States, I am grateful for our military and the blanket of peace that they provida for the rest of us to sleep beneath.
How horrible that the malady of your entire digestive tract has stolen so much of your life. Generalized and additional causes, sound complicated and agonizingly difficult to comprehend for all but the well seasoned old doctor who has long since given up practciing medicine or the new 'fellow' who's razor sharp mind, coupled with no practical experience renders him useless.
All of that to say, my significant other is a Army Veteran and an Air Force Brat. He has had similar symptoms because of other medical conditions that are service related and/or because he was born and raised abroad whera he was exposed to some unknown pathogens.
I saw this thread 2 years ago, but came looking for it again today. Right now we are traveling to a, new to us, VA Hospital to see yet another team of doctors.
His conditions hava long since spread beyond his digestive tract (his bowel illness is two fold) into his blood stream and caused hepatic encephalopathy.
If I could alleviate just one of his major debilitating symptoms, so that he could have some modicum of relief ... he would feel so blessed.
When I thought of Paregoric and my Mammaw(s) giving it to us for tummy upsets or diarrhea and wondered if it would help my guy. (They even included it in the homemade cough syrup that we referred to as "The Recipe." ) I found the question that you posted and followed this thread.
Thank you for the time and persistence that you invested in your pursuit of an anewer for this type of diarrhea and the pain of living with wrenched guts.
We will be close to my neck of the woods and I have several medical professionals in my family and close friends. I have been told that if DOT or Paregoric is not counterindicated for his other illness that we can try Paregoric or DOT and see if this works for him.
Whislersmom3
Try marijuana. It works for me but I don't like the way it makes my head feel. But I love the relief from the diarrhea. Another thing that worked for a while is a supplement called bromelain. It worked for a good while but now I am having cramps and diarrhea again so I am looking for something.
I am 77-y-o and kept paregoric in my medicine cabinet until the 1960s. We could sign for it at the drug store. I used it for my children at 10 drops if there was diarrhea or 5 drops for stomach cramps. Kids are now in their 50s and neither of them have any drug problems whatsoever. I used it for my own diarrhea and took 1 teaspoon. It worked like a miracle. I read the comments and have a very good doctor who has tried everything he can research for my gut with no success. I will ask him about tincture of opium. I am very very tired of gut trouble and am pretty much willing to try anything.
My surgeon wasn’t sure if Paregoric was still available in this country but it is. I live in Florida and the only pharmacies that can even order it are CVS and Walgreens. It has to be specially made for each person according to their weight.
Detroit 1945,
I am 75 and have had IBS since 10. Have u ever had lomotil? Atropine and diphenoxylate. If the main problem is diarrhea it might turn the trick. Should be no problem with docs afraid for their own asses. Don't u love it when a doc says "I'm not comfortable with that." Well, what do you think we are? We r the patients. We r here BECAUSE WE R NOT COMFORTABLE!!
Good Luck
If lomotil hasn't been tried before suggest it.
I grew up taking paregoric to relieve me from painful abdomen pain. My small intestine feels and sounds like water bubbles. However, when I have been prescribed lortab 5mg it has helped quiet down my small intestine. It's the codeine that helps the most. Unfortunately doctors are now more afraid than ever to prescribe it. I don't take it every day as it will constipate you eventually. I did try lomotil, but I had to take two for it to quiet my guts.
This post/question is many years old, but I hope that someone will find the answer helpful nonetheless. Paregoric is still available in the US(prob compounding or hospital type pharmacies,or small family owned). I have used it for IBS symptoms for years. Nothing else has been helpful to me. When I was a child , my mom used it for stomach & headache type issues (the 60’s). It’s likely very difficult to find an open minded Dr to prescribe Paregoric , due to general paranoia about opioids. My gastro doc was willing to let me try it, & contributed to prescribe it, since I use it so sparingly. I feel quite lucky to have it as an emergency rescue whenever I’m faced with an upset tummy , & other drugs simply don’t work nearly as well. Also to note: it’s quite expensive unless you have insurance to cover prescriptions. My copay is 10$ , but the retail price is 133.00$ (for 8 Oz.). Unbelievable , right?!
Hope this is helpful.
Most Americans over fifty years old remember their mama giving them a carefully measured dose of Paregoric during a severe bout of diarrhea when they were toddlers. The vile motor oil smell and taste was too horrible to forget! But since dehydration in tots and the elderly can be life threatening, doctors knew Paregoric could be depended upon to STOP intractable diarrhea! Then around 1990 (approximately) this evil ‘lifesaver’ was BANNED and as far as I know, ceased to be manufactured in the United States. Of course hospitals, who for eons kept stockpiles of Paregoric, had to ‘waste’ (dispose of) ALL PAREGORIC.
The new wonder elixir for diarrhea IMODIUM was presented and those moral and wiser ones who know better than we know ourselves what’s GOOD for us all rejoiced and were glad (until they or their kid developed an intestinal malady).
Imodium works fine under normal circumstances. A touch of viral stomach flu, ordinary little bout of nerves, etc. will be remedied quickly. But chronic disease of the bowel NEEDS the ‘big guns’.
I haven’t investigated Paregoric’s status in 28 years so you’ve given me a task to while away my time sitting on the toilet, looking for info on Paregoric.
In the meantime I’ll vaguely suggest a substitute for violent diarrhea distress. I have very poor health, chronic severe degenerative lower back collapse. Crushed vertebrae, pinched nerves, mobility problems, COPD, chronic GI problems... blah blah blah...
I am taking per doctor’s orders, a low dose hydrocodone tablet three times a day. When I get diarrhea I take 2 Imodium gel caps (OTC) when I take my hydrocodone tablet. The narcotic plus the Imodium caps settle things down! Another effective remedy is a smooth muscle relaxant such as a small dose Valium tablet.
I noticed these effects quite inadvertently as the hydrocodone and the Valium are used to treat the ‘back horror’. And OlBattleAxNurse has a deteriorating body but her mind is as inquisitive as ever.
Mike, you sound just like me. I had IBS-D most of my life 40+ yrs and only Loperamide worked to some degree. I avoided alot of foods and not much helped. I have used paregoric many yrs ago and it worked instantly. But it's not here anymore. I retired in 2014 and its changed to IBS_C. I don't know which one is worse. What I have tried that helped me is great lakes hydroslated gelatin daily 2 TBSP. Thats it. I think Loperamide is harmful long term but I had to take something, right. If you have had some antibiotics in your life(we all have) then thats against you. Bone broth is great for leaky gut. Also check out Heathers Tummy Tamers capsules from her web site Heathers IBS. They have peppermint, fennel and a third ingredient. They work great. too. My gut has settled way down since retiring but still flares up when I have to get up and travel. Sorry for the long rant but I just wanted to reach out to you and let you know there are others like yourself. If I can help anytime, contact me. Dennis
Paregoric is available in the US with a prescription. I've used it for years when my IBS gets out of control. I can usually maintain with 2 Imodium per day, but sometimes that doesn't do the job and then I take a spoonful of Paregoric. I probably only do this once or twice a month. I believe it is extremely addicting and could not be used daily for any length of time.
Have you ever tried Colestid? My husband was given Colestid to treat his high cholesterol, but couldn't take it because it's so constipating. So when the Dr wanted me to take cholesterol medication we decided it would be a good choice for me since it is also prescribed for IBS. I could probably do without the Imodium if I took even just one Colestid per day. Now that I think about it I don't know why I don't do it ;) I guess because the Imodium is working, it's cheap, and it's over-the-counter, and that, in my mind, makes it the easier solution.
I suffered for years with bouts of diarrhea and nothing worked. I had spent 2 years in Afghanistan with the Peace corps and had a number of bouts of amebic dysentery. I was given paregoric there but they don't allow it here for some reason. I tried straight opium and that helped some. I finally saw a doctor who told me to take Pepto Bismol 4 tmes a day and that has worked better than anything. She said that with my history of amebic dysentery and amebic hepatitis I will always need to take Pepto. Good luck.
I just bought Paregoric yesterday at a store in Florida with no problem or prescription. I go to FL every 4 months to buy what I can't in the state I am from.
I'm a veteran and have IBS for 30 years now. I tried almost everything. I would like to try perigoric for some relief from the terrible spasms I get, but what's the best way to approach my Dr about it? It seems I gulp kaopectate by the gallon and I know I can't keep that up long term. dicyclomine helped very little if at all, I take pain meds for my back and hip where I took an AK 47 round in it in Vietnam. So I don't know if my pain meds help any or inflame the IBS.
While Paregoric is no longer available in the United States, by prescription or otherwise, I can still provide you with the standard dosage... in case you order it from outside the country.
1 to 2 teaspoonsful every 6 hours. Should not be taken more than four times in any 24-hour period. DO NOT take with other opioid medications or with alcohol. Operation of motor vehicles or machinery should be avoided while using this medication. Can cause drowsiness.
Also known as camphorated tincture of opium, and tinctura opii camphorata. Not to be confused with plain tincture of opium which is known as laudanum,
Have you ever tried Librax?
1st of all I understand what you are going through. I have the same thing but mine is caused by ulcer colitis. I have try every drug out there, nothing worked for me until my doctor prescribed opium tincture. It's like paregoric but it's 25 times stronger and a C-2. I live in the state of Florida, I was getting the medicine with no problems for 3 years, then 2 months ago the DEA decided I didn't need it anymore.
My doctor put me on opium tincture paregoric and it does work. I can get at Walgreens. Just so you know it's a C-3.
You can get it but you have to have a documented Medical reason for the medication. Sorry for the long answer but I wanted you to know there's hope.
Hello! First off it is still available in the U.S. I am currently prescribed it by my doctor I get mine filled at CVS. Secondly, most drs wont prescribe it I was trying to get it for years and finally after gall bladder removal, and several tests they finally allowed me back on it. And, it tastes horrible! So good luck. (Alot of places do not carry anymore and tell you it is not available-it is. I just filled my script earlier today infact!)
It's time for me to report to the entire Drugs.com community on the outcome of my original question, "Is Paregoric still available for purchase? Where do you get it?” The Re: to this question is the problem I have been having for the past 44+ years with IBS that has been getting worse with the years. Drugs.com was kind of the last house on the last block for me. I have had so many tests multiple times, so many treatments and cures by legitimate doctors, charlatans posing as doctors, “new age” Chrystal, astrologer, Palmists, and every other kind of quack that claimed to have a cure. I have drunk teas, tree roots, brews that included things I don’t want to even mention as cures. No one has been able to even tell me what the cause or genesis of my agony until recently when we finally narrowed it down to two things for sure and one possible generalized cause.
That generalized cause was just plain old IBS which is a catch all as far as I’m concerned with what doctors don’t have answers for and won’t admit to. The other two are difficulties that I can finally trace back to my service during the Vietnam War. The first one is that I was wounded in the guts during a firefight and the doctors were so overwhelmed with causalities that day that they left sponges in me that weren’t found for 8+ days. This caused me all kinds of problems because the wound also hit my appendix which they said was ready to burst and empties the poison into my system. I stayed in the Marine Corps Hospital on the Island of Guam for 9 months trying to recuperate and then another 1 ½ years in other Marine and VA hospitals. The other thing is that I did not find out until the last 3 or 4 years that I had been exposed to Agent Orange which attacked my digestive system not only my intestines but my entire digestive track from my appetite to my rectum.
So, I got on this website, Drugs.com and I placed my question. Many people responded which I was and am grateful for that there were people interested enough to make a comment. Most of the comments and answers were things I had done or tried before but I was still grateful. Finally, the members were narrowed down to about 3 or 4 people that had something different to say and had problems closer to my symptoms. That was when I asked a few of them to chat with me privately which some of them did. meyati and piperlu had helpful things to say and then tlcandmore and sweet hippie chick put their heads together which led me to many one on one private posts and then phone calls and emails with tlcandmore which led me from Paregoric to Deodorized Tincture of Opium. Concurrently I got two new GI doctors at the VA hospital that happened to be women that were wonderful. It’s been my experience that male doctors are more into telling patients what to do but the female doctors seem to understand more that it takes collaboration to deal with some of these difficult problems. So, with tlcandmore talking in my right ear the VA doctors started talking in my left ear and it was the consensus that Deodorized Tincture of Opium or forever after referred to as DTO might just be the ticket to controlling my terrible diarrhea symptoms I have been experiencing for so many years.
tlcandmore had been reassuring me that it would work and that it would work right away. She was and is my Guardian Angel!! On August 28th I took my 1st dose of DTO and by the end of the day when I had taken my 4th dose of the day my diarrhea symptoms went away and have not been back since. So, with the insights, knowledge and experiences by tlcandmore and my new doctors that had the courage to prescribe DTO because it took them 4 times of making medical recommendations for me to use DTO before they finally got the OK. The DEA is the “fly in the ointment” with the use of this kind of drug since it contains an Opiate. The upshot is that I have my life back and I am making plans to go to Paris, sublet an apartment or townhome for 6 to 12 months so I might see all the things I have wanted to see all my life but never had the opportunity to see because of my health issues!
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paregoric, irritable bowel syndrome, diarrhea, doctor
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