Dicyclomine, Oral

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KEY POINTS

• This medicine is taken by mouth to relieve cramps in your intestines. Take it exactly as directed.
• This medicine may cause unwanted side effects. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that are serious, continue, or get worse.
• Tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take.

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What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: antispasmodic; anticholinergic

Generic and brand names: dicyclomine, oral; Bentyl; Dicyclomine Hydrochloride

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is taken by mouth to relieve cramps in your intestines in disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome.

This medicine may be used to treat other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• An allergic reaction to any medicine
• A blockage in the intestines, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, or severe constipation
• Asthma or COPD
• Dementia
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), hiatal hernia, or esophagitis (trouble swallowing)
• Glaucoma
• Heart problem such as heart failure, an irregular heartbeat, or a fast heartbeat
• High blood pressure
• Kidney or liver disease
• Mental health problems such as hallucinations or delusions
• Muscle diseases such as myasthenia gravis or Parkinson’s disease
• Nerve problems from diabetes, alcohol abuse, or injury
• Thyroid problems
• Trouble urinating or an enlarged prostate gland

Tell your healthcare provider if you take medicines that can irritate your esophagus such as alendronate (Fosamax) or risedronate (Actonel).

Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

How do I take it?

Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Take this medicine exactly as prescribed. Do not take more than directed because increasing the dosage increases the risk of side effects.

Do not use this medicine in children under 6 months of age. It may cause seizures, trouble breathing, coma, and death when given to infants.

This medicine may come in different forms. Do not break, crush, or chew the tablets or capsules. Swallow them whole.

If you have the liquid form of this medicine, use a specially marked measuring device to measure each dose. The average household teaspoon may not hold the right amount of liquid.

This medicine works best when taken 30 to 60 minutes before meals.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.

What if I overdose?

If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.

Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: confusion, rapid heartbeat, dizziness, headache, nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, dilated pupils, hot dry skin, dry mouth, trouble swallowing, restlessness, nervousness, lightheadedness, fainting, slow breathing, numbness or tingling, muscle weakness, seizures.

What should I watch out for?

Dry mouth and constipation are common side effects of this medicine. If these become bothersome, contact your healthcare provider.

This medicine may cause blurred vision, dizziness, or drowsiness. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert and able to see clearly. You may feel dizzy or faint when you get up quickly after sitting or lying down. Getting up slowly may help.

You may sweat less while you are taking this medicine. Avoid extreme heat, saunas, hot tubs, and exercising too much. You can overheat which can cause heat stroke.

This medicine may make your eyes more sensitive to light. Wear sunglasses to help protect your eyes.

This medicine increases the effects of alcohol and other medicines that slow down your nervous system. Do not drink alcohol or take other medicines unless your healthcare provider approves.

Adults over the age of 65 may be at greater risk for side effects such as nervousness or drowsiness. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.

Contact your healthcare provider if your condition does not improve or if it gets worse. Keep appointments for follow up visits.

If you need emergency care, surgery, lab tests, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help.): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat) or seizures.

Serious (Report these to your healthcare provider right away.): Severe vision problems, eye redness, or eye pain; confusion, clumsiness, trouble walking or keeping your balance; memory loss; unusual thoughts or behavior; fast or irregular heartbeat; slurred speech; hallucinations; muscle weakness; severe diarrhea; trouble urinating; trouble swallowing; severe or continued nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain; constipation that continues or gets worse.

Other: Constipation, dry mouth, dry skin, decreased sweating, flushing, mild nausea, vomiting, change in sense of taste, stuffy nose, restlessness, nervousness, dizziness, drowsiness, trouble sleeping, headache, dilated pupils, blurred vision, change in sexual ability or desire.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• Alcohol
• Alzheimer’s disease medicines such as donepezil (Aricept), galantamine (Razadyne), and rivastigmine (Exelon)
• Antacids that contain aluminum, calcium, or magnesium, such as Gaviscon, Maalox, Mylanta, Phillips' Chewable Tablets, Rolaids, or TUMS (Take antacids at least 2 hours before or 2 hours after you take this medicine.)
• Antianxiety medicines such as alprazolam (Xanax), chlordiazepoxide, clorazepate (Gen-Xene, Tranxene), diazepam (Valium), lorazepam (Ativan), midazolam (Versed), and oxazepam
• Antiarrhythmic medicines (to treat irregular heartbeat) such as disopyramide (Norpace), procainamide, and quinidine
• Antibiotics such as clarithromycin (Biaxin) and erythromycin (E.E.S., Ery-Tab, Erythrocin)
• Anticholinergic medicines such as atropine/diphenoxylate (Lomotil), benztropine (Cogentin), dicyclomine (Bentyl), hyoscyamine (HyoMax, Levbid, Levsin), methscopolamine (Pamine), propantheline, and trihexyphenidyl
• Antifungal medicines such as itraconazole (Sporanox), ketoconazole (Nizoral), posaconazole (Noxafil), and voriconazole (Vfend)
• Antihistamines such as chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton), diphenhydramine (Benadryl), and meclizine (Dramamine)
• Antipsychotic medicines such as chlorpromazine, clozapine (Clozaril, FazaClo), fluphenazine, haloperidol (Haldol), olanzapine (Zyprexa), perphenazine, thioridazine, and trifluoperazine
• Corticosteroids such as dexamethasone, hydrocortisone (A-Hydrocort, Cortef), methylprednisolone (Medrol, Solu-Medrol), and prednisone (Prednisone Intensol)
• Decongestants such as oxymetazoline (Afrin, Dristan), phenylephrine (Neo-Synephrine, Sudafed PE), and pseudoephedrine (Sudafed)
• Digoxin (Lanoxin)
• Doxepin (Silenor)
• Hydroxyzine (Vistaril)
• Ipratropium (Atrovent) or tiotropium (Spiriva)
• MAO inhibitors such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), and tranylcypromine (Parnate) (Do not take this medicine and an MAO inhibitor within 14 days of each other.)
• Metoclopramide (Metozolv, Reglan)
• Muscle relaxants such as baclofen (Lioresal), carisoprodol (Soma), and cyclobenzaprine (Amrix)
• Narcotic pain medicines such as codeine, hydromorphone (Dilaudid, Exalgo), meperidine (Demerol), morphine (Kadian, MS Contin), and oxycodone (OxyContin, Roxicodone)
• Natural remedies such as gotu kola, kava, St. John's wort, and valerian
• Nausea medicines such as dronabinol (Marinol), nabilone (Cesamet), prochlorperazine (Compro), and promethazine
• Nitrate medicines such as isosorbide (Dilatrate, Isordil, Monoket) and nitroglycerin (Minitran, Nitro-Dur, Nitrostat)
• Parkinson’s disease medicines such as amantadine (Symmetrel) and levodopa/carbidopa (Duopa, Rytary, Sinemet)
• Potassium supplements or salt substitutes that contain potassium
• Pramlintide (Symlin)
• Sleeping pills such as butabarbital (Butisol), flurazepam, phenobarbital, temazepam (Restoril), triazolam (Halcion), zaleplon (Sonata), and zolpidem (Ambien, Edluar, Intermezzo)
• Tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline, desipramine (Norpramin), imipramine (Tofranil), and nortriptyline (Pamelor)

If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.

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This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.