The
following information is a summary about Bentyl. It is
not intended to replace a doctor's instructions.
Brand Names : Antispas , Bentyl , Byclomine , Dibent
, Dilomine , Di-Spaz , Or-Tyl.
Bentyl USES
Bentyl (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.
Bentyl DIRECTIONS
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 carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain
any part you do not understand. Take dicyclomine exactly
as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it
more often than prescribed by your doctor. Your doctor
will probably start you on a low dose of dicyclomine and
gradually increase your dose.
Bentyl SIDE EFFECTS
Dicyclomine may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if
any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away: * dry
mouth * upset stomach * vomiting * constipation * stomach
pain * gas or bloating * loss of appetite * dizziness *
tingling * headache * drowsiness * weakness * blurred vision
* double vision * difficulty urinating Some side effects
can be serious. The following symptoms are uncommon, but
if you experience any of them, call your doctor immediately:
* hot, flushed, dry skin * confusion * forgetfulness *
seeing things or hearing voices that do not exist (hallucinating)
* unsteadiness * coma * anxiety * excessive tiredness *
difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep * excitement
* inappropriate mood * muscle weakness * rapid or pounding
heartbeat * fainting * hives * skin rash * itching * difficulty
breathing or swallowing Dicyclomine may cause other side
effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems
while taking this medication.
Bentyl PRECAUTIONS
Before taking dicyclomine, * tell your doctor and pharmacist
if you are allergic to dicyclomine or any other medications.
* tell 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.
* tell your doctor if you have or have ever had glaucoma;
ulcerative colitis; an enlarged prostate (prostatic hyperplasia);
difficulty urinating; 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. * tell 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. * if you
are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the
doctor or dentist that you are taking dicyclomine. * you
should know that dicyclomine may make you drowsy or cause
blurred vision. Do not drive a car or operate machinery
until you know how this medication affects you. * remember
that alcohol can add to the drowsiness caused by this medication.
* 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.
Bentyl DRUG INTERACTIONS
Tell your doctor of all prescription and nonprescription
meds you may use, especially of: carbamazepine, narcotic
pain relievers (e.g., codeine), drugs used to aid sleep,
antidepressants (e.g., SSRI-types such as fluoxetine or
fluvoxamine), MAO inhibitors (e.g., furazolidone, linezolid,
phenelzine, procarbazine, selegiline, tranylcypromine),
psychiatric medicine (e.g., nefazodone), "triptan"-type
drugs, anti-anxiety drugs (e.g., diazepam), sibutramine.
Also, report use of certain antihistamines (e.g., diphenhydramine)
which are also present in many cough-and-cold products.
Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist
approval.
Bentyl OVERDOSE
In case of overdose, call your local poison control center
at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not
breathing, call local emergency services at 911. Symptoms
of overdose may include: * headache * upset stomach * vomiting
* blurred vision * dilated pupils * hot, dry skin * dizziness
* dry mouth * difficulty swallowing * nervousness * excitement
* seeing things or hearing voices that do not exist (hallucinating)
Bentyl NOTES
Do not share Bentyl with others. Medical examinations including
the nose are generally performed during prolonged use of
this product to check for side effects. Inform all your
doctors you use (or have used) Bentyl.
MISSED DOSE
If you miss a dose, use Bentyl as soon as you remember.
If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed
dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not "double-up" the
dose to catch up.
Bentyl STORAGE
Store Bentyl at room temperature between 36 and 77 degrees
F (2 -25 degrees C) away from light and moisture.
