Paregoric, or camphorated tincture of opium, is comparable to morphine and is used to treat diarrhea, according to The Merck Manuals. Its name refers to a medicine that soothes. Paregoric is classified as a controlled substance and requires a prescription. The primary ingredient is morphine, with the remaining ingredients used as flavoring, preservatives, stabilizers and diluents. It is available in liquid form and may cause physical dependency.
Morphine
The morphine in paregoric acts on the smooth muscle in the intestinal tract. Morphine hinders motility and propulsion and diminishes secretions. The result decreases the frequency of liquid bowel movements and eliminates stomach and intestinal cramping. Drugs.com indicates that paregoric is an efficient medication with a rapid response to acute diarrhea. The Institute of Safe Medication Practices reports that confusion between tincture of opium and paregoric may cause overdose and possibly death because tincture of opium is 25 times stronger than paregoric. Overdose requires administration of naloxone, a narcotic antagonist.
Camphor
Camphor can be synthetically produced from turpentine. When added to medications in minute amounts, it results in a cooling effect similar to menthol. It also acts as a slight local anesthetic and cough suppressant.
Anise Oil
Anise oil, with its licorice flavor, may be used to make medications palatable. Anise oil is derived from the seeds of an herb that belongs to the parsley family. It is also used as an antiseptic, digestive aid and as an expectorant in cough medicine.
Glycerin, Alcohol, Benzoic Acid
Glycerin is used in paregoric as a sweetener and to aid in moistening and diluting the medication. Diluted alcohol acts as a slight anesthetic and aids in diluting paregoric for easier measuring and dosing. Benzoic acid also acts as a diluent in paregoric but is useful as a topical antiseptic.
