$Unique_ID{BRK01926}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{DICYCLOMINE}
$Subject{Bentyl (Lakeside Pharmaceutical)
Byclomine (Major)
dicyclomine hydrochloride (various manufacturers)
Di-Spaz (Vortech)}
$Volume{}
$Log{
Bentyl 10*0192601.scf
Bentyl 20*0192602.scf}

Copyright (C) 1991 Publications International, Ltd.


DICYCLOMINE
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BRAND NAMES (Manufacturers):
     Bentyl (Lakeside Pharmaceutical)
     Byclomine (Major)
     dicyclomine hydrochloride (various manufacturers)
     Di-Spaz (Vortech)
TYPE OF DRUG:
     Antispasmodic
INGREDIENT:
     dicyclomine
DOSAGE FORMS:
     Tablets (20 mg)
     Capsules (10 mg and 20 mg)
     Oral liquid (10 mg per 5-ml spoonful)
STORAGE:
     Dicyclomine tablets, capsules, and oral liquid should be stored at room
       temperature in tightly closed containers.  This medication should never
       be frozen.

USES

     Dicyclomine is used to treat gastrointestinal tract disorders and
irritable bowel syndrome.  Dicyclomine acts directly on the muscles of the
gastrointestinal tract to decrease tone and slow their activity.

TREATMENT

     Dicyclomine can be taken before or after meals.  Consult your doctor for
specific recommendations.
     Antacids and antidiarrheal medicines may prevent absorption of this drug;
therefore, at least one hour should separate doses of dicyclomine and one of
these medications.
     Measure the liquid form of dicyclomine carefully with a specially
designed 5-ml measuring spoon.  An ordinary kitchen teaspoon is not accurate
enough.  You can then dilute the oral liquid in other liquids to mask its
taste.
     If you miss a dose of this medication, do not take the missed
dose at all; just return to your regular dosing schedule.  Do not
double the next dose.

SIDE EFFECTS

     Minor.

     Bloating; blurred vision; confusion; constipation; dizziness; drowsiness;
dry mouth, throat, and nose; headache; increased sensitivity to light;
insomnia; loss of taste; nausea; nervousness; decreased sweating; vomiting; or
weakness.  These side effects should disappear as your body adjusts to the
medication.
     If you are constipated, increase the amount of fiber in your diet (fresh
fruits and vegetables, salads, bran, and whole-grain breads), exercise, and
drink more water (unless your doctor directs you to do otherwise).
     Chew sugarless gum or suck on ice chips or a piece of hard candy to
reduce mouth dryness.
     Wear sunglasses if your eyes become sensitive to light.
     To avoid dizziness or light-headedness when you stand, contract and relax
the muscles of your legs for a few moments before rising.  Do this by pushing
one foot against the floor while raising the other foot slightly, alternating
feet so that you are "pumping" your legs in a pedaling motion.

     Major.

     Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or
particularly bothersome.  IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about
difficulty in urinating, fever, hallucinations, impotence, palpitations, rash,
short-term memory loss, or sore throat.

INTERACTIONS

     Dicyclomine interacts with several other types of drugs:
     1. It can cause extreme drowsiness when combined with central nervous
system depressants (such as alcohol, antihistamines, barbiturates,
benzodiazepine tranquilizers, muscle relaxants, narcotics, pain medications,
and phenothiazine tranquilizers) or with tricyclic antidepressants.
     2. Amantadine, antihistamines, haloperidol, monoamine oxidase (MAO)
inhibitors, phenothiazine tranquilizers, procainamide, quinidine, and
tricyclic antidepressants can increase the side effects of dicyclomine.
     Before starting to take this medication, BE SURE TO TELL YOUR
DOCTOR about any medications you are currently taking, especially
any of those listed above.

WARNINGS

     * Tell your doctor about unusual or allergic reactions you have had to
any medications, especially to dicyclomine.
     * Tell your doctor if you have ever had glaucoma; heart disease; hiatal
hernia; high blood pressure; kidney, liver, or thyroid disease; myasthenia
gravis; obstructed bladder; obstructed intestine; enlarged prostate gland;
ulcerative colitis; or internal bleeding.
     * If this medication makes you dizzy or drowsy or blurs your vision, do
not take part in any activity that requires alertness, such as driving a car
or operating potentially dangerous equipment.  Be careful on stairs, and avoid
getting up from a lying or sitting position suddenly.
     * This drug can decrease sweating and heat release from the body.  Avoid
taking hot baths, showers, or saunas, and avoid getting overheated by
exercising in hot weather.
     * Before having surgery or other medical or dental treatment, tell your
doctor or dentist you are taking this drug.
     * Tell your doctor if you are pregnant.  Although this drug appears to be
safe during pregnancy, extensive studies in humans have not been conducted.
Also, tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding an infant.  Small amounts of
dicyclomine pass into breast milk.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
