Belladonna produces many effects in the body, including relief from spasms of the
gastrointestinal tract (stomach and intestines), the bladder, and the biliary tract. This is helpful in
controlling conditions such as colitis, spastic bladder, diverticulitis, infant colic, renal and biliary
colic, peptic ulcer, and irritable bowel syndrome.
Belladonna also reduces the secretions of many organs, thereby helping to control
conditions such as excessive stomach acid production.
Belladonna is used to treat the rigidity, tremor, excessive salivation, and sweating caused
by Parkinson's disease.
Belladonna also is used to treat motion sickness, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramping
associated with menstruation, and to reduce nighttime urination.
Belladonna may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking belladonna?
Do not take belladonna if you have
kidney disease;
a blockage of your urinary tract (difficulty urinating);
a blockage in your intestines, severe ulcerative colitis, or
ulcerative colitis complicated by toxic megacolon;
glaucoma; or
myasthenia gravis.
Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have
numbness or tingling in your hands or feet;
liver disease;
ulcerative colitis;
thyroid problems;
high blood pressure, an irregular heartbeat, or any type of
heart disease;
hiatal hernia or reflux disease;
enlargement of the prostate; or
asthma, chronic lung disease, or allergies.
You may not be able to take belladonna, or you may require a lower
dose or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.
It is not known whether belladonna will harm an unborn baby. Do not take this
medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.
It is not known belladonna passes into breast milk. Do not take this medication
without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take belladonna?
Take belladonna exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these
directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
Take each dose with a full glass of water.
To ensure that you get a correct dose, measure the liquid form of belladonna with a
special dose-measuring spoon or cup, not with a regular tablespoon. If you do not have a
dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist where you can get one.
Store belladonna at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose of belladonna?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your
next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularly scheduled dose.
Do not
take a double dose of this medication.
Where can I get more information about belladonna?
Your pharmacist has information about belladonna written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of belladonna?
If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking belladonna
and seek emergency medical attention:
an allergic reaction (swelling of your lips, tongue, or face,
difficulty breathing, closing of your throat, or hives);
an irregular or fast heart rate;
a rash or flushing; or
eye pain.
Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue
to take belladonna and talk to your doctor if you experience
headache, dizziness, or lightheadedness;
weakness or nervousness;
blurred vision, large pupils, or sensitivity of the eyes to
bright light;
nausea, bloating, heartburn, or constipation;
changes in taste;
difficulty urinating;
decreased sweating; or
nasal congestion, stuffiness, or a dry mouth.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your
doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about belladonna?
Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous
activities. Belladonna may cause dizziness, drowsiness, or blurred vision. If you experience
dizziness, drowsiness, or blurred vision, avoid these activities.
Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while you are
taking belladonna.
Avoid becoming overheated in hot weather. Belladonna increases the risk of heat stroke
because it causes decreased sweating.
What should I avoid while taking belladonna?
Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous
activities. Belladonna may cause dizziness, drowsiness, or blurred vision. If you experience
dizziness, drowsiness or blurred vision, avoid these activities.
Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while you are
taking belladonna.
Avoid becoming overheated in hot weather. Belladonna increases the risk of heat stroke
because it causes decreased sweating.
What other drugs will affect belladonna?
Many other drugs may increase the side effects of belladonna. Before taking this
medication, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:
antihistamines such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl, many
others), brompheniramine (Dimetapp, Bromfed, many others), triprolidine (Actifed, others), and
chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton, others), which are found in many over-the-counter and
prescription cough, cold, and allergy medications;
decongestants and appetite suppressants such as
phenylpropanolamine (Dexatrim, others), phenylephrine (Neo-Synephrine, others), and
pseudoephedrine (Sudafed, others), which are also found in many over-the-counter and
prescription products
phenothiazines such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine)
and prochlorperazine (Compazine);
other commonly used phenothiazines, including
fluphenazine (Prolixin), mesoridazine (Serentil), perphenazine (Trilafon), thioridazine
(Mellaril), trifluoperazine (Stelazine), and promazine (Sparine);
tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil,
Endep), doxepin (Sinequan), and nortriptyline (Pamelor); or
other commonly used tricyclic antidepressants,
including amoxapine (Asendin), clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin),
imipramine (Tofranil), protriptyline (Vivactil), and trimipramine (Surmontil).
Belladonna may increase the level of digoxin (Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps)
in your blood. Tell your doctor if you are taking digoxin so that your digoxin levels can be
monitored and changes in your dosage can be made if necessary.
Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with belladonna. Talk to your doctor
and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share
your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate,
up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum
information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not
warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does
not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist
licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not
a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or
drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any
given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information
Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug
interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse
or pharmacist.
Content provided by Multum - Last Updated 11/10/2009