A traditional combination mixture (kaolin + morphine) for short-term diarrhoea
Kaolin and morphine mixture
A traditional liquid medicine for short-term diarrhoea that combines kaolin with morphine, an opioid that slows the gut.
What is Kaolin and morphine mixture?
Kaolin and morphine mixture is a long-established liquid medicine used for the short-term relief of diarrhoea. It combines kaolin, a clay-like substance, with morphine, an opioid that slows the movement of the gut so stools become firmer and less frequent. Because it contains an opioid, it can cause drowsiness, and overuse carries a risk of dependence, so it is meant for short-term use only. It should be kept well away from children, for whom even small amounts of morphine can be dangerous, and it is not suitable for diarrhoea caused by certain gut infections without medical advice.
Education and reference only. This is a plain-language guide to Kaolin and morphine mixture — it deliberately contains no doses. Doses depend on the person, the brand and the reason for treatment, and belong with your prescriber. Always check the BNF, the product labelling (SmPC) and follow medical advice.
What it is
Kaolin and morphine mixture is a traditional liquid medicine used to settle short-lived diarrhoea. It brings together two ingredients: kaolin, a clay-like powder long thought to help bulk the stools, and morphine, a small amount of an opioid that slows down the gut. The most important thing to understand is that, because it contains an opioid, it behaves differently from simple remedies: it can make you drowsy and is only meant for short-term use. It is taken by mouth as a measured liquid and should be used carefully according to the label or pharmacist's advice.
How it works
The medicine works mainly through its morphine content. Morphine is an opioid that slows the muscular movement of the bowel, so food and fluid pass through more slowly, allowing more water to be absorbed and making stools firmer and less frequent. The kaolin component is a clay-like substance traditionally added to help thicken the stool. Because morphine acts on the same system as other opioids, it can also cause drowsiness and, with repeated or excessive use over time, the body can become reliant on it — which is why it is intended only for short-term relief.
Company & origin
Originated / developed by: Various manufacturers.
A long-established liquid mixture used for short-term relief of diarrhoea, combining kaolin with a small amount of morphine.
Practical use
How to take Kaolin and morphine mixture
General, dose-free guidance — always follow your prescriber's and the leaflet's specific instructions.
- Take it by mouth as a measured liquid, following the label or your pharmacist's instructions for short-term use only.
- Do not use it for longer than advised, as the morphine it contains can lead to dependence with overuse.
- Keep it well out of the sight and reach of children, as even small amounts can be dangerous to a child.
- Take care with driving or operating machinery, as it can make you drowsy.
- Drink plenty of fluids to replace what is lost, and seek advice if diarrhoea is severe, bloody, feverish or lasts more than a couple of days.
Weighing it up
Advantages & disadvantages of Kaolin and morphine mixture
Advantages
- Provides short-term relief of diarrhoea by slowing the gut and firming the stools.
- A long-established liquid that is easy to take by mouth.
- Combines a gut-slowing opioid with kaolin in a single traditional remedy.
Disadvantages
- Contains morphine, an opioid, so it can cause drowsiness and carries a risk of dependence with overuse.
- Must be kept away from children, for whom even small amounts can be dangerous.
- Not suitable for diarrhoea caused by certain gut infections without medical advice.
Practical use
Good to know
The dominant point to remember is that this mixture contains morphine, an opioid, so it is not a simple harmless remedy. It can make you feel drowsy, so take care with driving or tasks needing concentration, and overusing it for too long carries a real risk of dependence — it is meant for short bouts of diarrhoea, not ongoing use. It must be kept well out of the reach of children, because even small amounts of an opioid can be dangerous to a child. It should not be used for diarrhoea that may be caused by certain gut infections without medical advice, because slowing the gut down can sometimes make those worse. Replacing lost fluids is important in any diarrhoea, and you should seek advice if diarrhoea is severe, lasts more than a couple of days, or comes with high fever or blood in the stool.
Who should not take it / use with caution
- Children should not be given it unless specifically advised, as opioids can be dangerous to them.
- People with breathing problems, or those who must avoid opioids, should not use it.
- It should not be used for diarrhoea that may be due to a gut infection without medical advice, as slowing the gut can sometimes make it worse.
Monitoring
- Checking that it is used only for short-term diarrhoea and not continued unnecessarily.
- Watching for drowsiness, constipation or any sign of reliance on it.
- Reviewing whether diarrhoea needs medical assessment if it is severe or persistent.
Side effects
- Drowsiness, from the morphine it contains.
- Constipation if it is used for too long or too often.
- With repeated or excessive use, the risk of becoming dependent on the opioid.
Key interactions
- It adds to the sedating effect of other medicines that cause drowsiness, including alcohol and some painkillers.
- It should not be combined with other opioids without advice, as the effects add together.
- Tell your pharmacist or prescriber about all your medicines before using it.
Available as: An oral liquid mixture taken by mouth.
Answers
Kaolin and morphine mixture: frequently asked questions
What is kaolin and morphine mixture used for?
It is a traditional liquid used for the short-term relief of diarrhoea, slowing the gut with morphine while kaolin helps firm the stools.
Why does it contain morphine?
Morphine is an opioid that slows the bowel, making stools firmer and less frequent; this is what relieves diarrhoea, but it is also why the medicine needs care.
Can children take it?
No. It should be kept well away from children, because even small amounts of an opioid can be dangerous for a child.
Can I use it for a long time?
No. Because it contains an opioid, overuse can lead to drowsiness and dependence, so it is meant for short bouts of diarrhoea only.
Is it safe for any kind of diarrhoea?
Not always — it should not be used for diarrhoea that may be caused by certain gut infections without medical advice, as slowing the gut can sometimes make those worse.
The wider class
About Traditional antidiarrhoeal mixture (contains an opioid)
Kaolin and morphine mixture belongs to the traditional antidiarrhoeal mixture (contains an opioid) class. For how the class as a whole works, its shared safety principles and monitoring, see the full guide.
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Authoritative sources
- BNF
- NICE CKS
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