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.
