Difenoxin is an antidiarrheal agent used as an adjunct for the management of acute nonspecific diarrhea and acute exacerbations of chronic functional diarrhea. Difenoxin is a 4-phenylpiperidine which is closely related to the opioid analgesic meperidine.
- Mechanism
- Curator reviewed
Difenoxin acts as an antidiarrheal by activating peripheral opioid receptors in the small intestine and thereby inhibiting peristalsis. However, research has suggested that non-opioid receptor pathways exist. This would explain the potent antidiarrheal effects of difenoxin despite only limited opioid action.
- Primary indication
- Motofen(R) is a combination of atropine, an anticholinergic drug, and difenoxin, an antidiarrheal drug.Curator reviewed · 3 structured indications
- Formula / weight
- C28H28N2O2 · 424.5341 g/mol (avg)
- First approval
- United States, 1962
- Also known as
- Diphenoxilic acid · Diphenoxylic acid
- Code names
- IDS-ND-007 · MCN-JR-15,403-11 · R-15403
- Brand names
Resolves to
UFIVBRCCIRTJTN-UHFFFAOYSA-NSMILESOC(=O)C1(CCN(CCC(C#N)(C2=CC=CC=C2)C2=CC=CC=C2)CC1)C1=CC=CC=C1What you can answer from here — as of September 23, 2026
Which drugs share a target with Difenoxin, and which of those have an active Phase 3 trial?
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