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paregoric
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Quick Facts
Also called:
camphorated opium tincture
Related Topics:
opium
diarrhea
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paregoric

drug
Also known as: camphorated opium tincture
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Britannica Editors
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....
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History

paregoric, preparation principally used in the treatment of diarrhea. Paregoric, which decreases movement of the stomach and intestinal muscles, is made from opium tincture (laudanum) or from powdered opium and includes anise oil, camphor, benzoic acid, glycerin, and diluted alcohol. The usual adult dose is 5–10 millilitres. In early medical writings the term paregoric sometimes was used in reference to soothing medicaments in general.