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.
