Bentyl

Pronunciation: dye-SYE-kloe-meen
Generic Name: Dicyclomine
Brand Name: Bentyl

Bentyl is used for:

Treating symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Bentyl is an anticholinergic. It works by blocking a chemical in the smooth muscle of the stomach and intestines, causing them to relax, which reduces cramping.

Do NOT use Bentyl if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Bentyl


• you have blockage of the esophagus, stomach, intestine, or urinary tract


• you have heart problems due to severe bleeding


• you have glaucoma


• you have inflammation of the esophagus due to acid reflux, loss of strength in the intestinal muscles, or chronic inflammation and ulceration of the bowel


• you have myasthenia gravis (a condition in which the muscles become progressively paralyzed)


• you are breast-feeding

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Bentyl:

Some medical conditions may interact with Bentyl. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding


• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement


• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances


• if you have chronic inflammation or ulcers of the bowel, diarrhea, enlargement of the prostate, hiatal hernia, kidney or liver disease, a nervous system disease, overactive thyroid, or urinary blockage or retention


• if you have heart disease, heart failure, a history of rapid heartbeat, or high blood pressure


• if you are at risk for glaucoma

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Bentyl. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Amantadine, antiarrhythmics (eg, quinidine), antihistamines (eg, diphenhydramine), benzodiazepines (eg, diazepam), monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) (eg, phenelzine), narcotic pain medicine (eg, meperidine), nitrates (eg, nitroglycerin, isosorbide), nitrites (eg, sodium nitrite), phenothiazines (eg, chlorpromazine), sympathomimetics (eg, pseudoephedrine), or tricyclic antidepressants (eg, amitriptyline) because they may increase the risk of Bentyl's side effects


• Metoclopramide or phenothiazines (eg, chlorpromazine) because their effectiveness may be decreased by Bentyl


• Digoxin because the risk of its side effects may be increased by Bentyl

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Bentyl may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Bentyl:

Use Bentyl as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Bentyl is usually given as an injection at your doctors office, hospital, or clinic. If you will be using Bentyl at home, a health care provider will teach you how to use it. Be sure you understand how to use Bentyl. Follow the procedures you are taught when you use a dose. Contact your health care provider if you have any questions.


• Bentyl is for intramuscular (IM) injection only. It is NOT for intravenous (IV) use.


• Do not use Bentyl if it contains particles, is cloudy or discolored, or if the vial is cracked or damaged.


• Keep this product, as well as syringes and needles, out of the reach of children and pets. Do not reuse needles, syringes, or other materials. Ask your health care provider how to dispose of these materials after use. Follow all local rules for disposal.


• The injection form of Bentyl is only given short-term when the oral form cannot be taken. Your health care provider will prescribe the oral form of Bentyl as soon as you are able to take it.


• Use Bentyl on a regular schedule around the clock, unless your doctor tells you otherwise.


• If you miss a dose of Bentyl, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Bentyl.

Important safety information:

• Bentyl may cause drowsiness, dizziness, blurred vision, or lightheadedness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Bentyl with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.


• Check with your doctor before you drink alcohol or use medicines that may cause drowsiness (eg, sleep aids, muscle relaxers) while you are using Bentyl; it may add to their effects. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines may cause drowsiness.


• Bentyl may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting; alcohol, hot weather, exercise, or fever may increase these effects. To prevent them, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Sit or lie down at the first sign of any of these effects.


• Do not become overheated in hot weather or while you are being active; heatstroke may occur.


• Bentyl may make your eyes more sensitive to sunlight. It may help to wear sunglasses.


• Use Bentyl with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects.


• Bentyl should not be used in CHILDREN younger than 6 months old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.


• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Bentyl while you are pregnant. Bentyl is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Bentyl.

Possible side effects of Bentyl:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Blurred vision; constipation; decreased sweating; difficulty sleeping; dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth; headache; lightheadedness; loss of taste; nausea; nervousness.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); agitation; confusion; diarrhea; difficulty focusing your eyes; difficulty moving; difficulty speaking; difficulty urinating; disorientation; exaggerated sense of well-being; fainting; hallucinations; pounding in the chest; rapid heartbeat; short-term memory loss; unusual weakness; vomiting.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

See also: Bentyl side effects (in more detail)

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include blurred vision; convulsions (seizures); difficulty breathing; dilated pupils; disorientation; excessive thirst; flushed, hot, dry skin; hallucinations or unusual behavior; muscle weakness; nausea; rapid heartbeat and breathing; restlessness; unusual dizziness or drowsiness; unusually dry mouth; vomiting.

Proper storage of Bentyl:

Store Bentyl at room temperature, below 86 degrees F (30 degrees C). Protect from freezing. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Bentyl out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Bentyl, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.


• Bentyl is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.


• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.


• Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Bentyl. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Issue Date: February 1, 2012

Database Edition 12.1.1.002

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

More Bentyl resources

• Bentyl Side Effects (in more detail)
• Bentyl Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Drug Images
• Bentyl Drug Interactions
• Bentyl Support Group
• 11 Reviews for Bentyl - Add your own review/rating

• Bentyl Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Bentyl Concise Consumer Information (Cerner Multum)


• Bentyl Monograph (AHFS DI)


• Dicyclomine Prescribing Information (FDA)

Compare Bentyl with other medications

• Irritable Bowel Syndrome