Bentyl

Generic Name: dicyclomine
Other Brand Names: dicyclomine

What is dicyclomine?

Dicyclomine relieves spasms of the muscles in the stomach and intestines by blocking the actions of certain chemicals in the body.

Dicyclomine is used to treat functional bowel or irritable bowel syndrome.

Dicyclomine may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Uses Side Effects Precautions Interactions Overdose
Related Tags

Addiction

Gastroenterology

abdominal

cough

crohn's

diarrhea

intestinal

intestine

kidneys

meds

pain

spasm

spasms

tract

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking dicyclomine?

Do not take this medication if you are allergic to dicyclomine, or if you have:

  • problems with urination;

  • a blockage in your digestive tract;

  • an intestinal disorder such as ulcerative colitis;

  • gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD);

  • a serious heart condition or active bleeding;

  • glaucoma;

  • myasthenia gravis; or

  • if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

  • an ileostomy or colostomy;

  • a nerve problem (such as numbness or tingling);

  • liver disease;

  • kidney disease;

  • ulcerative colitis;

  • thyroid disorder;

  • heart disease, congestive heart failure, high blood pressure, or a heart rhythm disorder;

  • hiatal hernia; or

  • an enlarged prostate.

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use dicyclomine, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.

FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

Dicyclomine can pass into breast milk and can cause breathing problems or death in infants younger than 6 months of age. Do not take dicyclomine if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take dicyclomine?

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Take this medicine with a full glass of water.

To ensure that you get a correct dose, measure the liquid form of dicyclomine 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 dicyclomine at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

What happens if I miss a dose of dicyclomine?

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 dicyclomine?
Your pharmacist has information about dicyclomine written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of dicyclomine?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using dicyclomine and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

  • confusion, hallucinations, unusual thoughts or behavior;

  • fast, pounding, or uneven heart rate; or

  • urinating less than usual or not at all.

Less serious side effects include:

  • drowsiness, dizziness, headache;

  • blurred vision;

  • nausea, vomiting, constipation, bloating, stomach pain;

  • loss of appetite;

  • mild itching or skin rash; or

  • stuffy nose, 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.

What is the most important information I should know about dicyclomine?

Dicyclomine can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

Avoid drinking alcohol. It can increase some of the side effects of dicyclomine.

Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise and in hot weather. Dicyclomine can cause decreased sweating, which can lead to heat stroke in a hot environment.

Stop using dicyclomine and call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects such as confusion, hallucinations, unusual thoughts or behavior, fast or uneven heart rate, or if you urinate less than usual or not at all.

There are many other medicines that can interact with dicyclomine. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list with you of all the medicines you use and show this list to any doctor or other healthcare provider who treats you.

What should I avoid while taking dicyclomine?

Avoid using antacids while taking dicyclomine. Antacids can make it harder for your body to absorb dicyclomine.

Dicyclomine can cause side effects that may impair your vision or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert and able to see clearly.

Avoid drinking alcohol. It can increase some of the side effects of dicyclomine.

Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise and in hot weather. Dicyclomine can cause decreased sweating, which can lead to heat stroke in a hot environment.

What other drugs will affect dicyclomine?

Before taking dicyclomine, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:

  • amantadine (Symmetrel);

  • quinidine (Quinaglute, Cardioquin, Quinidex);

  • digoxin (digitalis, Lanoxin);

  • cold or allergy medicines;

  • narcotic pain medicine;

  • steroids (prednisone and others);

  • phenothiazines such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), mesoridazine (Serentil), prochlorperazine (Compazine), thioridazine (Mellaril), and others

  • a sedative such as Valium, Xanax, Librium, Tranxene, ProSom, Dalmane, Ativan, Versed, Restoril, or Halcion;

  • an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate);

  • diet pills, caffeine pills, or other stimulants (such as ADHD medications); or

  • antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil, Etrafon), clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), imipramine (Janimine, Tofranil), and others.

If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to use dicyclomine, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.

There may be other drugs not listed that can affect dicyclomine. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

What happens if I have an overdose of dicyclomine?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

Overdose symptoms may include numbness or tingly feeling, muscle weakness or paralysis, headache, nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, trouble swallowing, feeling restless or anxious, ringing in the ears, tremors, feeling light-headed, fainting, or seizure (convulsions).

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 2/11/2008