Dicyclomine HCL 20mg

Why is this medication prescribed? 

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.

How should this medicine be used?

Dicyclomine comes as a capsule, a tablet, and a syrup to take by mouth. It is usually taken 4 times a day. To help you remember to take dicyclomine, take it around the same times 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.

Other uses for this medicine

This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

What special precautions should I follow?

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 (a condition which causes swelling and sores in the lining of the colon [large intestine] and rectum); 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.

• talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking dicyclomine if you are 65 years of age or older. Older adults should not usually take dicyclomine because it is not as safe or effective as other medications that can be used to treat the same condition.

• 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.

What special dietary instructions should I follow?

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

What should I do if I forget a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

What side effects can this medication cause?

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. If you experience any of the following symptoms, 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.

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online (http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).

What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication?

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).

It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location.

Symptoms of overdose may include the following:

• 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)