Belladonna and Opium

Belladonna and Opium is a product that contains two medications, Belladonna and Opium, which are used in the treatment for moderate to severe pain from spasms of the urinary tract.

This product belongs in the group of medicines called narcotic analgesics. Belladonna is used to decrease the spasms, while the Opium is a narcotic medication used to help relieve the pain.

Before a treatment with this product is decided to be used, the benefits must outweigh the potential risks. This medication is only available with a doctor permission and prescription. Make sure you inform your doctor about:

• Allergies – Inform your doctor about any allergic reactions that you have had before while using this medicine (if used before) or while using any other medications. This includes the allergic reactions that you have had from prescribed as well as no prescribed medications.
  Also, inform your healthcare professional about any allergic reactions that you have to any specific food, dye, fabric and etc.
• Pediatric – The usage of Belladonna and Opium is not allowed in children 12 years of age or younger.
• Geriatric – Although there are not any registered cases where this product is considered not safe for geriatric patients, they can be more sensitive to the effects of this product, which may require more caution.
• Pregnancy – There are no studies that confirm if this medicine has any negative effects and possible risks to the infant if used during pregnancy. But, make sure to inform your doctor if you are pregnant at the moment or have any plans about pregnancy in the future.
• Breastfeeding – Inform your doctor if you are breastfeeding in the time of the treatment with this product. There are no studies that confirm if Belladonna is extracted into the milk, and although it is known that Opium is extracted into the milk the possible side effects and risks are not known.
• Drug interactions – Sometimes certain medications should not be used in a combination, but in some cases using two or more medications in a combination may be the best treatment for you. Inform your doctor if you are using any other medications, prescribed or no prescribed, even vitamins and herbal tea.
  Using this product in a combination with Potassium or Naltrexone is not recommended. Also using Belladonna and Opium in a combination with Bromazepam, Codein, Methadone, Morphine and many others is not recommended, but it is required in some cases.
• Other interactions – Some medications while using require special diet, restriction for tobacco and alcohol, because of that make sure you get informed if any special diet is required or if you may or mustn’t use tobacco and alcohol in the time of the treatment.
• Other medical problems – Inform your doctor about your medical history, any diseases that you may have had and any treatments that you have had in the past.
  Especially, inform the doctor if you have ever had: acute alcohol withdraw, allergy or reaction to narcotic medicines (e.g. morphine), asthma, glaucoma, kidney or liver disease, respiratory depression, seizures or epilepsy, enlarged prostate, drug dependence, head injuries, heart problems, hypothyroidism, psychosis, underactive thyroid and etc.

The product is applied by yourself after you have been given the proper directions. This medication is given in a form of rectal suppository.

• It is important to wash your hand with hot water and soap before applying the medicine.
• Unwrap the suppository and moisten it with water.
• Apply it into the rectum carefully. The best position is to lie down on your left side with your right knee bent.
• Insert it carefully and remain lying down for couple of minutes.
• Avoid having a bowel movement in the next hour so that the medicine can be absorbed.

The dosage is prescribed by your doctor, based on your condition and the prognosis of the treatment. The usual dosage is one suppository once or twice a day.

If you miss a dose, take the medicine as soon as you remember. However, if the time for your next dose is near, wait for it and take the next one. If you suspect an overdose or swallowing of the medication, contact your doctor right away.

Make sure you stick with your scheduled appointments with your doctor, so that the prognosis of the treatment can be checked.

When you visit your doctor, inform him about any side effects if present.

If used a long time, this medicine can cause severe constipation. To prevent this, your doctor may prescribe laxatives and advise you to drink more fluids and increase the amount of fiber in your diet.

This medication should not be used if you have any of the following conditions – a certain muscle/nerve disease (e.g. myasthenia gravis), certain stomach/bowel disease, glaucoma.

In the time of the treatment, you may feel dizzy or have blurred vision. You should not be driving or doing any activities that require alertness.

It is not uncommon the presence of side effects in the time of the treatment. Every side effect that you notice must be reported to the doctor right away. 

Contact your doctor immediately if you notice any of the following symptoms:

• Decrease of the frequency of urination
• Decrease in urine volume
• Difficulty in passing urine
• Painful urination
• Rapid pulse

Symptoms of overdose:

• Change in consciousness
• Problems with breathing
• Dry mouth
• Fever
• Hot, dry or flushed skin
• Pale or blue lips
• Loss of consciousness

Some of the symptoms may disappear with time, when your body has adjusted to the presence of the medication. But, some of the side effects are more severe and require medical help.

Inform your healthcare professional if you notice any of the following symptoms:

• Blurred vision
• Constipation
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Hives
• Nausea and vomiting
• Skin rash

Other side effects may occur as well. Extra caution is needed with geriatric patients because of their increased sensitivity for medications.

This medication, if used for a long time can cause a habit. If the treatment is stopped right away without decreasing the dosage before to help the body to adjust the decreased presence of the medicine, withdrawal symptoms may occur.

If you notice any of the following symptoms inform the doctor as soon as possible: restlessness, watery eyes, widened pupils, sweating, and rainy nose.