Bentyl

Bentyl

     * Generic Name: dicyclomine
     * Brand Name: Bentyl


     * What is dicyclomine (Bentyl)?
     * What are the possible side effects of dicyclomine (Bentyl)?
     * What is the most important information I should know about
       dicyclomine (Bentyl)?
     * What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking
       dicyclomine (Bentyl)?
     * How should I take dicyclomine (Bentyl)?
     * What happens if I miss a dose (Bentyl)?
     * What happens if I overdose (Bentyl)?
     * What should I avoid while taking dicyclomine (Bentyl)?
     * What other drugs will affect dicyclomine (Bentyl)?
     * Where can I get more information (Bentyl)?

What is dicyclomine (Bentyl)?

   Dicyclomine relieves spasms of the muscles in the stomach and
   intestines.

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

   Dicyclomine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication
   guide.

What are the possible side effects of dicyclomine (Bentyl)?

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

   Stop using dicyclomine and call your doctor at once if you have a
   serious side effect such as:
     * severe constipation, bloating, or stomach pain;
     * worsening of diarrhea or other irritable bowel symptoms;
     * feeling very thirsty or hot, being unable to urinate, heavy
       sweating, or hot and dry skin
     * confusion, hallucinations, unusual thoughts or behavior; or
     * pounding heartbeats or fluttering in your chest.

   Less serious side effects may include:
     * drowsiness, dizziness, weakness, nervousness;
     * blurred vision;
     * dry mouth, stuffy nose; or
     * mild constipation.

   This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call
   your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side
   effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

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

   This medication may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if
   you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.

   Drinking alcohol can increase certain side effects of dicyclomine.

   Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise and in hot
   weather. Dicyclomine can decrease your 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.

   Bentyl Patient Information including How Should I Take
   Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS):Understanding the Disorder

   Irritable Bowel Syndrome Slideshow: Understanding IBS
   Digestive Disease Myths:Common Misconceptions

   Digestive Disease Myths Slideshow Pictures
   RxList

   Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Quiz

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

   You should not take this medication if you are allergic to dicyclomine,
   or if you have:
     * problems with urination;
     * a bowel obstruction or severe constipation;
     * severe ulcerative colitis or toxic megacolon;
     * gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD);
     * a serious heart condition or active bleeding;
     * glaucoma;
     * myasthenia gravis; or
     * if you are breast-feeding a baby.

   To make sure you can safely take dicyclomine, tell your doctor if you
   have any of these other conditions:
     * ulcerative colitis;
     * an ileostomy or colostomy;
     * a nerve problem (such as numbness or tingling);
     * liver or kidney disease;
     * heart disease, congestive heart failure, high blood
       pressure, or a heart rhythm disorder;
     * hiatal hernia; or
     * an enlarged prostate.

   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 other life-threatening side effects in infants younger than 6 months
   of age. Do not breast feed a baby while taking this medication.

   Older adults may be more likely to have side effects from this
   medicine.

   Dicyclomine should not be given to a child younger than 6 months old.

How should I take dicyclomine (Bentyl)?

   Take exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or
   smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions
   on your prescription label.

   Dicyclomine is usually taken 4 times each day. Your doctor may
   occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results.

   Take this medicine with a full glass of water.

   Measure liquid medicine with a special dose-measuring spoon or cup, not
   a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask
   your pharmacist for one.

   Talk with your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 2 weeks of
   treatment.

   Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

   Bentyl Patient Information including If I Miss a Dose
   Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS):Understanding the Disorder

   Irritable Bowel Syndrome Slideshow: Understanding IBS
   Digestive Disease Myths:Common Misconceptions

   Digestive Disease Myths Slideshow Pictures
   RxList

   Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Quiz

What happens if I miss a dose (Bentyl)?

   Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if
   it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra
   medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose (Bentyl)?

   Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at
   1-800-222-1222.

   Overdose symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, dilated pupils,
   weakness or loss of movement in any part of your body, trouble
   swallowing, fainting, or seizure (convulsions).

What should I avoid while taking dicyclomine (Bentyl)?

   This medication may cause blurred vision and may impair your thinking
   or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you
   to be alert and able to see clearly.

   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.

   Drinking alcohol can increase certain side effects of dicyclomine.

   Avoid using antacids without your doctor's advice. Use only the
   type of antacid your doctor recommends. Some antacids can make it
   harder for your body to absorb dicyclomine.

What other drugs will affect dicyclomine (Bentyl)?

   Before using dicyclomine, tell your doctor if you regularly use other
   medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold or allergy medicine,
   sedatives, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers,
   and medicine for seizures, depression, or anxiety). They can add to
   sleepiness caused by dicyclomine.

   Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially:
     * amantadine (Symmetrel);
     * digoxin (Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps);
     * metoclopramide (Reglan);
     * atropine (Atreza, Sal-Tropine), belladonna (Donnatal,
       and others), benztropine (Cogentin), dimenhydrinate
       (Dramamine), methscopolamine (Pamine), or scopolamine
       (Transderm Scop);
     * bronchodilators such as ipratropium (Atrovent) or
       tiotropium (Spiriva);
     * bladder or urinary medications such as darifenacin
       (Enablex), flavoxate (Urispas), oxybutynin
       (Ditropan, Oxytrol), tolterodine (Detrol), or
       solifenacin (Vesicare);
     * a heart rhythm medication such as quinidine (Quin-G), procainamide
       (Procan, Pronestyl), disopyramide (Norpace), flecaininde
       (Tambocor), mexiletine (Mexitil), propafenone,
       (Rythmol), and others;
     * irritable bowel medications such as hyoscyamine (Hyomax) or
       propantheline (Pro Banthine);
     * an MAO inhibitor such as furazolidone (Furoxone),
       isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline
       (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam,
       Zelapar), or tranylcypromine (Parnate);
     * nitrate medication, such as nitroglycerin (Nitro Dur, Nitrolingual,
       Nitrostat, Transderm Nitro, and others), isosorbide
       dinitrate (Dilatrate, Isordil, Isochron), or isosorbide
       mononitrate (Imdur, ISMO, Monoket);
     * phenothiazines such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine),
       fluphenazine (Permitil, Prolixin), perphenazine
       (Trilafon), prochlorperazine (Compazine, Compro),
       promethazine (Pentazine, Phenergan, Anergan, Antinaus),
       thioridazine (Mellaril), or trifluoperazine
       (Stelazine);
     * steroid medication such as prednisone and others; or
     * ulcer medication such as glycopyrrolate (Robinul) or
       mepenzolate (Cantil).

   This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with
   dicyclomine. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This
   includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products.
   Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information (Bentyl)?

   Your pharmacist can provide more information about dicyclomine.
     __________________________________________________________________