Opium, a nature-based substance derived from the opium poppy plant, produces pain-relieving effects in the body. Opium tincture also comes from the poppy plant. Opium’s overall effectiveness in treating conditions involving pain have brought about a wide spectrum of prescription pain medications.

Opium tinctures contain small amounts of opium, so there’s really no use for it as a pain treatment. These small dosage amounts do however work well for treating gastrointestinal-related conditions.

As with all prescription opiate drugs, opium tincture falls under the Schedule II class of controlled substances, which carry a high risk for abuse and addiction.

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What is a Tincture?

Commonly used in herbal medicine practices, a tincture consists of an alcohol-based solution combined with one or more vegetable or chemical substances. The final product is an alcoholic extract of the added ingredient(s) with alcohol acting as a solvent. An opium tincture combines 10 milligrams of powered opium per one milliliter of alcohol solvent.

On average, to qualify as a tincture, an extract must contain anywhere from 25 to 60 percent alcohol. While other materials can also work as solvents, alcohol’s chemical make-up mixes well with both acid- and alkaline-based substances. The alcohol content also has preservative properties.

Opium Tincture – A Natural Opiate

Tincture is used in some places as a treatment for digestive issues.

Opium-type drugs exist in abundance as prescription pain medications, including:

• Demerol
• Oxycontin
• Percodan
• Vicodin
• Hydrocodone

While just as potent as opium, most prescription pain meds are synthetically made using opium as a template or model. Opium tincture, also known as Laudanum, exists as one of handful of natural opium-derived substances, with the remaining ones being:

• Morphine
• Codeine
• Thebaine
• Oripavine

According to Weber State University, natural opium contains approximately 10 percent morphine and five percent codeine. Weight-wise, opium tinctures contain around 10 percent powered opium, giving the final product a one percent morphine concentration.

Uses for Opium Tincture

Opium, in general, carries natural pain-relieving properties. According to the University of Virginia School of Medicine, the body houses opioid cell receptors throughout the brain, peripheral nervous system and gastrointestinal tract. Opiate drugs work by altering certain cell-based chemical activities throughout these bodily systems.

Opium tinctures are used as a treatment for diarrhea. In effect, tinctures capitalize on one of the more unpleasant side effects of taking opium-type drugs on a regular basis: constipation. Consequently, the “constipating” effects of a tincture work well at relieving persistent diarrhea symptoms. Since tincture preparations come in liquid form, it’s typically prescribed as an oral liquid medication.

Mechanism of Action

Opium tinctures work on the gastrointestinal tract in much the same way as other opiate drugs by:

• Slowing gastrointestinal motility
• Increasing muscle tone throughout the gastrointestinal tract
• Reducing pancreatic and intestinal secretions
• Reduces intestinal contractions

When monitored by a physician, these effects can also control diarrhea symptoms.

The morphine ingredient contained in opium accounts for the drug’s analgesic effects; however, opium tinctures contain small doses of morphine so its analgesic effects are negligible. The morphine ingredient helps delay the time it takes food materials to leave the stomach and enter the small intestine. Tincture preparations can also help relieve conditions involving spasms and pain within the gastrointestinal tract.

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Dosing

Opium tincture dosage amounts and frequencies can vary depending on each person’s physical make-up. Other factors affecting dosing schedules include:

• Number of doses per day
• Time required between doses
• Length of time taking the drug, which varies based on the condition being treated

In cases of diarrhea, prescribed tincture amounts average around .6 millimeters taken four times daily for adults. As with any opiate-based drug, it’s important to follow prescription guidelines as this class of drug carries a high risk of abuse and addiction.

In the event of a missed dose, it’s best to take it as soon as possible unless it’s almost time for the next dose, in which case it’s best to resume your normal dosing schedule. Unless told otherwise by a physician, it’s never a good idea to double up on doses.

Side Effects

As with any other type of drug, opium tincture can bring on side effects depending on a person’s physiological make-up. Some side effects of tinctures may subside over time as the body adjusts to the effects of the drug.

Other more serious effects require a doctor’s attention, such as:

• Vomiting
• Hives, welts
• Inability to have a bowel movement
• Nausea

Like other opiate drugs, there’s also a risk of overdosing on tinctures. Overdose symptoms include:

• Cold sweats
• Blurry vision
• Chest pains
• Problems breathing
• Confusion, feeling disoriented
• Feelings of anxiety
• Lightheadedness
• Dizziness

Any sign of overdose require immediate medical attention.

Adverse Reactions

Opiate drugs, in general, may work differently than intended for people who suffer from certain medical conditions. According to the Mayo Clinic, anyone affected by the following medical conditions should let his or her physician know before taking opium tincture:

• Liver disease
• History of alcohol abuse
• History of drug abuse, especially opiates
• Poison-induced diarrhea symptoms
• Bleeding in the stomach
• Bleeding in the bowels
• Head injuries
• Breathing-related conditions, such as emphysema an asthma

In effect, any one of the above conditions may alter the way the body metabolizes opium tincture, which can weaken the effectiveness of the drug or enhance the drug’s effects. The effects of a tincture preparation can also make certain medical conditions worse.

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Drug Interactions

Certain other medications may interact and interfere with opium tincture’s intended effects. Opiate addiction treatment medications, such as buprenorphine, methadone and naltrexone will actually counteract a tincture’s effects and should not be taken at the same time.

People currently on monoamine oxidase inhibitors or MAOIs should not take opium tincture. When combined with a tincture, MAOIs increase the risk of toxicity due to the tincture’s morphine ingredient.

MAOI drugs to watch out for include:

• Zyvox
• Nardil
• Eldepryl
• Marplan
• Parnate
• Matulane

Considerations

As with all opiate drugs, opium tincture can be habit-forming. Taking larger than prescribed doses or increasing dosage frequency carries a high potential for abuse as the brain and body can quickly develop a tolerance to the drug’s effects. Likewise, abruptly stopping the drug may bring on uncomfortable withdrawal effects so it’s always best to consult with your doctor beforehand.