Dicyclomine relieves spasms of the muscles in the stomach and intestines by blocking the actions of certain chemicals in the body.

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

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

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

Dicyclomine can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert. Avoid drinking alcohol. It can increase some of the 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.

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

Do not take this medication if you are allergic to dicyclomine, or if you have:

• problems with urination;
• a blockage in your digestive tract;
• an intestinal disorder such as ulcerative colitis;
• gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD);
• a serious heart condition or active bleeding;
• glaucoma;
• myasthenia gravis; or
• if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

• an ileostomy or colostomy;
• a nerve problem (such as numbness or tingling);
• liver disease;
• kidney disease;
• ulcerative colitis;
• thyroid disorder;
• heart disease, congestive heart failure, high blood pressure, or a heart rhythm disorder;
• hiatal hernia; or
• an enlarged prostate.

If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustments or special tests to safely take dicyclomine.

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 death in infants younger than 6 months of age. Do not take dicyclomine if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take Bentyl (dicyclomine)?

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

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.

Store dicyclomine at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

Overdose symptoms may include numbness or tingly feeling, muscle weakness or paralysis, headache, nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, trouble swallowing, feeling restless or anxious, ringing in the ears, tremors, feeling light-headed, fainting, or seizure (convulsions).

Bentyl (dicyclomine) side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty 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:

• confusion, hallucinations, unusual thoughts or behavior;
• fast, pounding, or uneven heart rate; or
• urinating less than usual or not at all.

Less serious side effects may include:

• drowsiness, dizziness, headache;
• blurred vision;
• nausea, vomiting, constipation, bloating, stomach pain;
• loss of appetite;
• mild itching or skin rash; or
• stuffy nose, dry mouth.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect.

What other drugs will affect Bentyl (dicyclomine)?

Before taking dicyclomine, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:

• amantadine (Symmetrel);
• quinidine (Quinaglute, Cardioquin, Quinidex);
• digoxin (digitalis, Lanoxin);
• cold or allergy medicines;
• narcotic pain medicine;
• steroids (prednisone and others);
• phenothiazines such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), mesoridazine (Serentil), prochlorperazine (Compazine), thioridazine (Mellaril), and others
• a sedative such as Valium, Xanax, Librium, Tranxene, ProSom, Dalmane, Ativan, Versed, Restoril, or Halcion;
• an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate);
• diet pills, caffeine pills, or other stimulants (such as ADHD medications); or
• antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil, Etrafon), clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), imipramine (Janimine, Tofranil), and others.

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs 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.

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