What is dicyclomine?
Dicyclomine relieves spasms of the muscles in the stomach and intestines.
Dicyclomine is used to treat functional bowel or irritable bowel syndrome.
Dicyclomine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about dicyclomine?
This medication may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.
Drinking alcohol can increase certain 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 dicyclomine?
You should not take this medication if you are allergic to dicyclomine, or if you have:
problems with urination;
a bowel obstruction or severe constipation;
severe ulcerative colitis or toxic megacolon;
gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD);
a serious heart condition or active bleeding;
glaucoma;
myasthenia gravis; or
if you are breast-feeding a baby.
To make sure you can safely take dicyclomine, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:
ulcerative colitis;
an ileostomy or colostomy;
a nerve problem (such as numbness or tingling);
liver or kidney disease;
heart disease, congestive heart failure, high blood pressure, or a heart rhythm disorder;
hiatal hernia; or
an enlarged prostate.
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 other life-threatening side effects in infants younger than 6 months of age. Do not breast feed a baby while taking this medication.
Older adults may be more likely to have side effects from this medicine.
Dicyclomine should not be given to a child younger than 6 months old.