Dicyclomine injection

What is dicyclomine injection?
DICYCLOMINE (Bentyl) treats different bowel problems including diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome. It is believed to be effective in reducing spasm of the bowel. Generic dicyclomine injections are available.

What should my health care professional know before I receive dicyclomine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• blood vessel disease
• difficulty passing urine
• esophagus problems or heartburn
• glaucoma
• heart disease, or previous heart attack
• hiatal hernia
• liver disease
• kidney disease
• myasthenia gravis
• nervous system disorder
• over active thyroid
• prostate trouble
• stomach infection, or obstruction
• ulcerative colitis
• an unusual or allergic reaction to dicyclomine, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

How should I use this medicine?
Dicyclomine is for injection into a muscle. It is given by a health care professional in a hospital or clinic setting.

Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, use only that dose. Do not use double or extra doses.

What drug(s) may interact with dicyclomine?

• amantadine
• antacids
• benztropine
• cisapride
• digoxin
• disopyramide
• donepezil
• erythromycin
• galantamine
• metoclopramide
• medicines for anxiety or sleeping problems (such as diazepam or temazepam)
• medicines for colds and breathing difficulties
• medicines for diarrhea
• medicines for hay fever and other allergies
• medicines for mental depression
• medicines for mental problems and psychotic disturbances
• medicines for pain
• rivastigmine
• tacrine
• tegaserod

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including nonprescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

What side effects may I notice from receiving dicyclomine?
Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:

• agitation, nervousness, confusion
• blurred vision and other eye problems
• decreased sweating
• difficulty swallowing
• dizziness, drowsiness
• fast or slow heartbeat
• hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not really there)
• pain or difficulty passing urine
• slurred speech
• unusual weakness or tiredness
• vomiting

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• constipation
• difficulty sleeping
• dry mouth, change in taste
• headache
• increased sensitivity of the eyes to light
• nausea
• sexual difficulty (impotence)

What should I watch for while taking dicyclomine?
You may get drowsy, dizzy, or have blurred vision. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how dicyclomine affects you. To reduce the risk of dizzy or fainting spells, do not sit or stand up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. Alcohol can make you more drowsy, avoid alcoholic drinks.

Stay out of bright light and wear sunglasses if dicyclomine makes your eyes more sensitive to light. Avoid extreme heat (e.g., hot tubs, saunas). Dicyclomine can cause you to sweat less than normal. Your body temperature could increase to dangerous levels, which may lead to heat stroke.

Your mouth may get dry. Chewing sugarless gum or sucking hard candy, and drinking plenty of water will help.

Where can I keep my medicine?
Keep out of the reach of children.

Store at room temperature below 30 degrees C (86 degrees F); do not freeze. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

NOTE: This information is not intended to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions, or adverse effects for this drug. If you have questions about the drug(s) you are taking, check with your health care professional.

Drugs & Medications

CONDITIONS OF USE: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment.

The drug reference included in this section is provided by Cerner Multum, Inc., of Denver, Colorado. Armenian Medical Network receives monthly updates from Multum.