The Constipating Effect of Diphenoxylate (Retardin^R) in Ulcerative Colitis

Abstract

Engbæk, J., Ersböll, J., Faurby, V., Binder, V. & Riis, P. Constipating effect of diphenoxylate (Retardin^R) in ulcerative colitis. A double-blind controlled trial. Scand. J. Gastroent. 1975, 10, 695-698.

A double-blind study of 20 patients with ulcerative colitis during treatment with diphenoxylate 5 mg three times daily and placebo is reported. There were two treatment periods of 14 days each, with cross-over technique and randomized sequence. Test variable for constipating effect was the mean number of defaecations per day. The criterion for inclusion of patients was the presence of 4 or more daily bowel movements; 2 patients did not com-plete the investigation. Significant difference (p < 0.01) in constipating effect between diphenoxylate and placebo was demonstrated both during a period of 12 days and a period of 6 days (Tables II and III). The average number of bowel movements were reduced by 0.7 and 1.3 per day respectively. Side-effects during treatment with diphenoxylate were seen in 53 % (Table III) with significant difference against placebo (p < 0.05). On the basis of the small absolute reduction of defaecation frequency and the frequent side-effects, it is concluded that diphenoxylate has no place in the routine treat-ment of ulcerative colitis.

Key-words::

• Diphenoxylate
• ulcerative colitis