dicyclomine, Bentyl

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Pharmacy Author:

Omudhome Ogbru, PharmD

Omudhome Ogbru, PharmD

Dr. Ogbru received his Doctorate in Pharmacy from the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy in 1995. He completed a Pharmacy Practice Residency at the University of Arizona/University Medical Center in 1996. He was a Professor of Pharmacy Practice and a Regional Clerkship Coordinator for the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy from 1996-99.

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Medical and Pharmacy Editor:

Jay W. Marks, MD

Jay W. Marks, MD

Jay W. Marks, MD, is a board-certified internist and gastroenterologist. He graduated from Yale University School of Medicine and trained in internal medicine and gastroenterology at UCLA/Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.

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GENERIC NAME: dicyclomine

BRAND NAME: Bentyl

DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Dicyclomine is a drug that is used for treating irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Dicyclomine is in a class of drugs called anticholinergics. Anticholinergic drugs block the effects of acetylcholine, the chemical transmitter that nerves release in order to cause muscles to contract. They prevent contraction of the muscles by blocking the acetylcholine receptors on the muscle cells. Anticholinergic drugs also have a direct relaxing effect on muscle. Dicyclomine is used to reduce contraction of the muscles in the intestines. Dicyclomine was approved by the FDA in 1950.

PRESCRIPTION: Yes

GENERIC AVAILABLE: Yes

PREPARATIONS: Capsules: 10 mg. Tablets: 20 mg. Syrup: 10 mg/5 mL. Injection (Intramuscular): 10 mg/ mL

STORAGE: Capsules and tablets should be stored at room temperature, between 15 C to 30 C (59 F to 86 F).

PRESCRIBED FOR: Dicyclomine is used in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome.

DOSING: The recommended starting oral dose of dicyclomine is 20 mg given 4 times daily. The dose can be increased to 40 mg 4 times daily. The recommended intramuscular injection is 10 to 20 mg 4 times daily.

DRUG INTERACTIONS: Excessive anticholinergic effects may occur when dicyclomine is combined with other drugs with anticholinergic effects such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl), promethazine (Phenergan), thioridazine (Mellaril), triflupromazine (Stelazine), amitriptyline (Elavil, Endep), amoxapine (Asendin), clomipramine (Anafranil), protriptyline (Vivactil), clozapine (Clozaril), cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril), and disopyramide (Norpace). The combined effects of these drugs can lead to a greater incidence of dry mouth, blurred vision, confusion, agitation, increased heart rate, palpitations, constipation, and urinary retention (difficulty urinating). Combining narcotics such as oxycodone (Percocet, Percodan), hydrocodone (Vicodin) with dicyclomine may reduce function of the muscles of the bowel and bladder resulting in greater constipation and difficulty urinating than with dicyclomine alone. Combining dicyclomine with pramlintide (Symlin) also reduces bowel movements more than either drug alone.

Dicyclomine adds to the sedating effects of alcohol and other drugs that cause sleepiness such as the benzodiazepine class of anti-anxiety drugs (for example, diazepam [Valium], lorazepam [Ativan], clonazepam [Klonopin], alprazolam [Xanax]), the narcotic class of pain medications and derivatives (for example, Percocet, Vicodin, Dilaudid, codeine, propoxyphene [Darvon]), the tricyclic class of antidepressants (for example, amitriptyline, imipramine [Tofranil, Tofranil-PM], desipramine [Norpramin]), and certain antihypertensive medications (for example, clonidine [Catapres], propranolol [Inderal]). Antacids and absorbent anti-diarrhea medications (for example, Kaopectate) can decrease the absorption of dicyclomine. Therefore, doses of antacids or absorbent anti-diarrheals should be separated by at least 2 hours from doses of dicyclomine.

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