Bentylol (Dicyclomine) belongs to the class of medications called antispasmodics. It is used to relieve the spasms in the digestive system that are associated with irritable bowel syndrome and other digestive tract conditions such as inflammation of the intestines. It can also be used to relieve Constipation caused by muscle spasms of the digestive tract. It works by relaxing the muscles of the digestive tract, to relieve the pain associated with muscle cramps.

Bentylol (Dicyclomine) may be available under multiple brand names and/or in several different forms. Any specific brand name of Bentylol (Dicyclomine) may not be available in all of the forms or approved for all of the conditions discussed here. As well, some forms of Bentylol (Dicyclomine) may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here.

Your doctor may have suggested Bentylol (Dicyclomine) for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking Bentylol (Dicyclomine), speak to your doctor. Do not stop taking Bentylol (Dicyclomine) without consulting your doctor.

Do not give Bentylol (Dicyclomine) to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to take Bentylol (Dicyclomine) if their doctor has not prescribed it.

The usual adult dose of Bentylol (Dicyclomine) is 10 to 20 mg taken three to four times a day depending on your response.

The dose is usually increased after the first week of therapy up to a maximum of 40  mg four times a day. If you do not get any relief of your signs and symptoms with Bentylol (Dicyclomine) after 2 weeks or cannot tolerate more than 80 mg per day, your doctor may choose to stop Bentylol (Dicyclomine).

The usual dose for children between 2 and 12 years of age is 10 mg three to four times daily.

Infants between 6 months and 2 years of age should receive 5 to 10 mg taken 3 to 4 times daily to be given 15 minutes before feeding. The syrup form of Bentylol (Dicyclomine) should be mixed with an equal volume of water before taking it.

Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.

Use an oral syringe to measure each dose of the liquid, as it gives a more accurate measurement than household teaspoons.

It is important to take Bentylol (Dicyclomine) exactly as prescribed by your doctor.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Store Bentylol (Dicyclomine) at room temperature, protect it from light and moisture, and keep it out of the reach of children.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent. The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes Bentylol (Dicyclomine). If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of Bentylol (Dicyclomine) with your doctor.

The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking Bentylol (Dicyclomine). Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.

Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.

• blurred vision
• dizziness
• drowsiness
• Dry Mouth
• headache
• nasal congestion
• nausea
• vomiting

Although most of the side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not check with your doctor or seek medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• agitation
• confusion
• Diarrhea
• difficulty sleeping
• disorientation
• euphoria
• fainting
• fast, pounding heartbeat
• forgetting periods of time
• hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren't there)
• lack of coordination
• mood changes
• severe constipation (e.g., stomach pain, bloating)
• skin redness, rash
• symptoms of delirium

Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:

• signs of a serious allergic reaction (e.g., abdominal cramps, difficulty breathing, nausea and vomiting, or swelling of the face and throat)
• signs and symptoms of too much medication (overdose)
• blurred vision
• difficulty swallowing
• dilated pupils
• headache
• hot, dry skin
• nausea
• vomiting

Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking Bentylol (Dicyclomine).

Tablet

10 mg
Each white, round, flat-faced, bevelled-edged tablet debossed with the letter "M" in a double circle on one side and with the number "10" on the other side contains 10 mg Bentylol (Dicyclomine) HCl, USP. Nonmedicinal ingredients: corn starch, microcrystalline cellulose, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, talc.

20 mg
Each white, round, flat-faced, bevelled-edged tablet debossed with the letter "M" in a double circle on one side scored with the number "20" on the other side contains 20 mg Bentylol (Dicyclomine) HCl USP. Nonmedicinal ingredients: corn starch, microcrystalline cellulose, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, talc.

Syrup
Each 5 mL of clear, red viscous syrup with a taste characteristic of raspberries contains 10 mg Bentylol (Dicyclomine) HCl, USP. Nonmedicinal ingredients: amaranth color, blackcurrant artificial flavour, cherry natural/artificial flavour, citric acid, FD&C Yellow No. 6, glucose, methylparaben, propylene glycol, propylparaben, raspberry imitation fritzbro, purified water, sodium citrate, sodium cyclamate, vanilla flavour imitation.

Do not take Bentylol (Dicyclomine) if you:

• are allergic to Bentylol (Dicyclomine) or any ingredients of the medication
• have a blockage of the urinary tract
• have a blockage of the gastrointestinal tract
• have paralytic ileus (decreased movement of material through the digestive system) or intestinal atony (paralysis of the intestines)
• have severe Ulcerative Colitis
• have Myasthenia Gravis
• have esophagus irritation caused by acid reflux from the stomach
• have Glaucoma (increased pressure in the eye)
• have constantly changing blood pressure and heart function due to bleeding
• are currently breast feeding

Do not give Bentylol (Dicyclomine) to infants under 6 months of age.

There may be an interaction between Bentylol (Dicyclomine) and any of the following:

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with Bentylol (Dicyclomine). Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the Nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Bentylol (Dicyclomine).

Blood pressure: Bentylol (Dicyclomine) may cause Low Blood Pressure resulting in sudden dizziness when you stand up rapidly. Take care when first using Bentylol (Dicyclomine).

Drowsiness/reduced alertness: Bentylol (Dicyclomine) may cause drowsiness or dizziness, affecting your ability to drive or operate machinery. Avoid these and other hazardous tasks until you have determined how Bentylol (Dicyclomine) affects you.

Glaucoma: Bentylol (Dicyclomine) may make the symptoms of glaucoma, such as blurred vision, to become more noticeable. If you have glaucoma, discuss with your doctor how Bentylol (Dicyclomine) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Bentylol (Dicyclomine), and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Heart disease: Some medications used to treat irregular heartbeat, Congestive Heart Failure, and high blood pressure can cause an increase in the effects of Bentylol (Dicyclomine). If you are taking medications for any of these conditions, or are at risk for developing any of these conditions, discuss with your doctor how Bentylol (Dicyclomine) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Bentylol (Dicyclomine), and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Kidney and liver condition: The removal of Bentylol (Dicyclomine) from your body may be affected by liver and kidney disorders. If you have existing liver or kidney conditions, discuss with your doctor how Bentylol (Dicyclomine) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Bentylol (Dicyclomine), and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Prostate enlargement: Bentylol (Dicyclomine) may cause difficulty staring to urinate, making symptoms of prostate hypertrophy (enlargement) worse. If you have prostatic hypertrophy, discuss with your doctor how Bentylol (Dicyclomine) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Bentylol (Dicyclomine), and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Thyroid disease: If you have an overactive thyroid gland, discuss with your doctor how Bentylol (Dicyclomine) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Bentylol (Dicyclomine), and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Pregnancy: Bentylol (Dicyclomine) should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking Bentylol (Dicyclomine), contact your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding: Bentylol (Dicyclomine) passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking Bentylol (Dicyclomine), it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.

Children: The safety and effectiveness of using Bentylol (Dicyclomine) have not been established for children less than 6 months of age and should be avoided in this age group.

Seniors: Seniors may be more likely to experience severe side effects of Bentylol (Dicyclomine). It may be necessary to use lower doses than those reported above.