The effects of Bentyl during pregnancy have not been adequately studied. If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, notify your doctor. Bentyl does appear in breast milk and could affect a nursing infant. Do not use it when breastfeeding.
If Bentyl is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Bentyl with the following:
Airway-opening drugs such as albuterol sulfate
Amantadine
Antacids
Antiarrhythmics such as quinidine
Antiglaucoma drugs such as pilocarpine hydrochloride
Antihistamines such as clemastine fumarate
Benzodiazepines (tranquilizers) such as alprazolam and diazepam
Corticosteroids such as prednisone
Digoxin
Major tranquilizers such as chlorpromazine and thioridazine hydrochloride
MAO inhibitors (antidepressants such as phenelzine sulfate and tranylcypromine sulfate)
Metoclopramide
Narcotic analgesics (pain relievers such as meperidine hydrochloride)
Nitrates and nitrites (heart medications such as nitroglycerin)
Tricyclic antidepressant drugs such as amitriptyline hydrochloride and imipramine hydrochloride
Bentyl may produce drowsiness or blurred vision. Therefore, driving a car, operating machinery, or participating in any activity that requires full mental alertness is not recommended.
Diarrhea may be an early symptom of a partial intestinal blockage, especially in people who have had bowel removals and an ileostomy or colostomy. If this occurs, notify your doctor immediately.
You should use Bentyl with caution if you have autonomic neuropathy (a nerve disorder); liver or kidney disease; hyperthyroidism; high blood pressure; coronary heart disease; congestive heart failure; rapid, irregular heartbeat; hiatal hernia (protrusion of part of the stomach through the diaphragm); or enlargement of the prostate gland.
If you are sensitive to or have ever had an allergic reaction to Bentyl, you should not take Bentyl. Make sure your doctor is aware of any drug reactions you have experienced.
Unless you are directed to do so by your doctor, do not take Bentyl if you have a blockage of the urinary tract, stomach, or intestines; severe ulcerative colitis (inflammatory disease of the large intestine); reflux esophagitis (inflammation of the esophagus usually caused by the backflow of acid stomach contents); glaucoma; or myasthenia gravis (a disease characterized by long-lasting fatigue and muscle weakness).
This drug should not be given to infants less than 6 months of age or used by women who are nursing an infant.
Side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, inform your doctor as soon as possible. Only your doctor can determine if it is safe for you to continue taking Bentyl.
* Bentyl side effects may include:
Blurred vision, dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, light-headedness, nausea, nervousness, weakness
* Not all of the following side effects have been reported with dicyclomine hydrochloride, but they have been reported for similar drugs with antispasmodic action; contact your doctor if they occur.
Abdominal pain, bloated feeling, constipation, decreased sweating, difficulty in urinating, double vision, enlargement of the pupil of the eye, eye paralysis, fainting, headache, hives, impotence, inability to urinate, increased pressure in the eyes, itching, labored, difficult breathing, lack of coordination, lack or loss of appetite, nasal stuffiness or congestion, numbness, rapid heartbeat, rash, severe allergic reaction, sluggishness, sneezing, suffocation, suppression of breast milk, taste loss, temporary cessation of breathing, throat congestion, tingling, vomiting
Take Bentyl exactly as prescribed.
* If you miss a dose of Bentyl…
Take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the one you missed and go back to your regular schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
* Bentyl storage instructions…
Store at room temperature. Keep tablets out of direct sunlight. Keep syrup away from excessive heat.
Heat prostration (fever and heat stroke due to decreased sweating) can occur with use of Bentyl in hot weather. If symptoms occur, stop taking the drug and notify your doctor immediately.
Bentyl is prescribed for the treatment of functional bowel/irritable bowel syndrome (abdominal pain, accompanied by diarrhea and constipation associated with stress).
Before taking Bentyl (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 Bentyl (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.
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 Bentyl (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. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
