O General Information and Indications:
Dicyclomine is used to treat the
symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. Dicyclomine is in a class of
medications called anticholinergics. It relieves muscle spasms in the
gastrointestinal tract by blocking the activity of a certain natural
substance in the body.
O Information For Users:
Dicyclomine comes as a capsule, a tablet, and a
syrup to take by mouth. It is usually taken four times a day. To help you
remember to take dicyclomine, take it around the same time every day. Follow
the directions on your prescription label, ask your doctor or pharmacist If
you have any questions. Take dicyclomine exactly as directed. Do not take
more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your health care
provider.
Your doctor will probably start you on a low dose of dicyclomine and slowly
increase your dose.
Other uses for this medicine
O Special
precautions:
o Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have
allergy to dicyclomine or any other medications.
o Inform your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription
medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are
taking. Be sure to mention any of the following: amantadine (Symmetrel);
antacids; antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil), amoxapine (Asendin),
clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), doxepin (Adapin, Sinequan),
imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Aventyl, Pamelor), protriptyline (Vivactil),
and trimipramine (Surmontil); antihistamines; diet pills; digoxin (Lanoxin);
ipratropium (Atrovent); isosorbide (Imdur, Ismo, Isordil, others);
medications for anxiety, asthma, glaucoma, irregular heartbeat, mental
illness, motion sickness, Parkinson's disease, seizures, ulcers, or urinary
problems; metoclopramide (Reglan); monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors,
including phenelzine (Nardil) and tranylcypromine (Parnate); narcotic pain
relievers such as meperidine (Demerol); nitroglycerin (Nitro-Bid, Nitrostat,
others); sedatives; sleeping pills; and tranquilizers. Your doctor may need
to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side
effects.
o inform your doctor if you are breast-feeding glaucoma; ulcerative colitis;
an enlarged prostate (prostatic hyperplasia); difficulty in urination;
esophageal reflux (heartburn); a blockage in the gastrointestinal tract;
myasthenia gravis; high blood pressure; an overactive thyroid gland
(hyperthyroidism); nerve disease (autonomic neuropathy); heart failure;
rapid or pounding heartbeat; hiatal hernia; or liver, kidney, or heart
disease.
o Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are
breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking dicyclomine, call your
doctor. Do not breast-feed while taking this medication.
o if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, Inform your doctor or
dentist that you are taking dicyclomine.
o you should know that dicyclomine may make you drowsy or cause blurred
vision (Impaired vision). Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you
know how this medication affects you.
o remember that alcohol can add to the drowsiness caused by this medication.
o you should know that dicyclomine reduces the body's ability to cool off by
sweating. In very high temperatures, dicyclomine can cause fever and heat
stroke.
O
Possible Adverse
Effects:
Dicyclomine may cause adverse effects. Inform
your doctor if any of the following symptoms are severe or do not go away:
o dry mouth
o upset stomach
o vomiting
o constipation
o stomach pain
o gas or bloating
o loss of appetite (anorexia)
o dizziness
o tingling
o headache
o drowsiness
o weakness
o blurred vision (Impaired vision)
o double vision (diplopia)
o difficulty in urination
Some adverse effects could be serious. The following symptoms are uncommon,
but if you experience any of them, call your doctor without delay:
o hot, flushed, dry skin
o confusion
o forgetfulness
o seeing things or hearing voices that do not exist (hallucinating)
o unsteadiness
o coma
o anxiety
o extreme tiredness (fatigue)
o difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
o excitement
o inappropriate mood
o muscle weakness
o rapid or pounding heartbeat
o fainting
o hives (Urticaria)
o skin rash
o itching
o difficulty swallowing or breathing
O Possible Symptoms
of Overdose:
o headache
o upset stomach
o vomiting
o blurred vision (Impaired vision)
o dilated pupils
o hot, dry skin
o dizziness
o dry mouth
o difficulty swallowing
o nervousness
o excitement
o seeing things or hearing voices that do not exist (hallucinating)
O Brand Name(s):
o Bentyl®
o Bentyl® Syrup |
