Does Levaquin (levofloxacin) cause side effects?
Donnatal (belladonna/phenobarbital) is a combination of naturally occurring belladonna alkaloids and a barbiturate used to treat abdominal pain, bloating and cramps in patients with irritable bowel syndrome.
Donnatal is also used in patients with acute inflammation of the stomach and intestines (gastroenteritis) to reduce pain and diarrhea.
It is used occasionally as additional therapy in patients with duodenal ulcer. Belladonna alkaloids block the action of acetylcholine, a chemical that nerves to use to communicate with other nerves and muscles.
Acetylcholine stimulates the muscles of the intestines that propels digesting food through the intestine. It also affects the secretion of fluids by salivary glands and the stomach.
By blocking acetylcholine, belladonna alkaloids relax intestinal muscles, slow passage of digesting food through the intestines, and reduce gastric secretion. Phenobarbital produces sedation.
Common side effects of Donnatal include
- constipation,
- dry eyes,
- dry mouth,
- urinary hesitancy and retention (particularly in men),
- blurred vision,
- rapid heart rate,
- palpitations,
- headache,
- nervousness,
- drowsiness, and
- dizziness.
Serious side effects of Donnatal include
- worsening of certain medical conditions (glaucoma, myasthenia gravis, and urinary obstruction).
Patients with an unstable cardiac status, severe ulcerative colitis and acute intermittent porphyria should avoid Donnatal. Elderly patients may experience confusion, depression, and excitement even from small doses.
Drug interactions of Donnatal include voriconazole, bocepravir, ranolazine, and protease inhibitors, because phenobarbital reduces the blood levels of these drugs by increasing their breakdown in the body.
Donnatal should not be combined with potassium tablets because Donnatal slows the passage of potassium tablets through the gastrointestinal tract, leading to potassium-induced ulcers and high potassium levels in the blood.
Use of Donnatal during pregnancy has not been adequately evaluated. Pregnant women should use Donnatal only when the expected benefit outweighs the potential but unknown risks.
Donnatal is secreted in breast milk and may also reduce milk production. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.
What are the important side effects of Donnatal (belladonna/phenobarbital)?
Adverse reactions include:
- constipation;
- dry eyes;
- dry mouth;
- urinary hesitancy and retention (difficulty urinating, particularly in men);
- blurred vision;
- rapid heart rate;
- palpitations;
- headache;
- nervousness;
- drowsiness; and
- dizziness
Caution is advised in patients with glaucoma, myasthenia gravis, and urinary obstruction since symptoms of these conditions may worsen with the use of belladonna/phenobarbital.
Patients with an unstable cardiac status, severe ulcerative colitis and acute intermittent porphyria should avoid belladonna/phenobarbital. Elderly patients may experience confusion, depression, and excitement even from small doses.
Donnatal (belladonna/phenobarbital) side effects list for healthcare professionals
Adverse reactions may include
- xerostomia;
- urinary hesitancy and retention;
- blurred vision;
- tachycardia;
- palpitation;
- mydriasis;
- cycloplegia;
- increased ocular tension;
- loss of taste sense;
- headache;
- nervousness;
- drowsiness;
- weakness;
- dizziness;
- insomnia;
- nausea;
- vomiting;
- impotence;
- suppression of lactation;
- constipation;
- bloated feeling;
- musculoskeletal pain;
- severe allergic reaction
or drug idiosyncrasies, including
- anaphylaxis,
- urticaria and
- other dermal manifestations; and
- decreased sweating.
Elderly patients may react with symptoms of excitement, agitation, drowsiness, and other untoward manifestations to even small doses of the drug.
Phenobarbital may produce excitement in some patients, rather than a sedative effect. In patients habituated to barbiturates, abrupt withdrawal may produce delirium or convulsions.
Summary
Donnatal (belladonna/phenobarbital) is a combination of naturally occurring belladonna alkaloids and a barbiturate used to treat abdominal pain, bloating and cramps in patients with irritable bowel syndrome. Common side effects of Donnatal include constipation, dry eyes, dry mouth, urinary hesitancy and retention (particularly in men), blurred vision, rapid heart rate, palpitations, headache, nervousness, drowsiness, and dizziness. Use of Donnatal during pregnancy has not been adequately evaluated. Donnatal is secreted in breast milk and may also reduce milk production.
Multimedia: Slideshows, Images & Quizzes
-
IBS - Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Symptoms, Diet, Treatment
What is irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)? Learn about symptoms, causes, and foods that trigger IBS. Get lifestyle tips for managing...
-
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Quiz
What are symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)? Take this quiz and get quick facts on causes and treatment options for this...
Related Disease Conditions
-
Low FODMAP Diet for IBS
FODMAPs are foods that contain sugar alcohols and short chain carbohydrates. The gut can't digest them very well. There are "low" FODMAP foods and "high" FODMAP foods. Foods high in FODMAPs lay in the gut and ferment, which causes symptoms of: Excessive gas Bloating Abdominal pain Diarrhea Some people with digestive diseases and disorders, for example, IBS, microscopic colitis, IBD (Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis), and other functional bowel disorders often are placed on a low FODMAP diet to decrease the amount of high FODMAPs foods in the diet, which create uncomfortable symptoms.
-
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Irritable bowel syndrome or IBS is a GI disorder with symptoms of constipation, abdominal pain, bloating, and gas. IBS treatment includes medications, dietary changes, and lifestyle changes.
-
IBS-D (Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea)
IBS-D or irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea refers to IBS with diarrhea. Symptoms of IBS-D include intestinal gas (flatulence), loose stools, frequent stools, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and nausea. New non-FDA approved IBS tests may help diagnose IBS and IBS-D. Treatment of IBS-D is geared to toward managing symptoms with diet, medication, and lifestyle changes.
-
IBS vs. IBD: Differences and Similarities
IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) and IBD (inflammatory bowel disease) are both problems with the digestive tract (gastrointestinal or GI tract), but they are not the same disease. Check out the center below for more medical references on IBS and IBD, including multimedia (slideshows, images, and quizzes), related disease conditions, treatment and diagnosis, medications, and prevention or wellness.
-
IBS Triggers (Prevention)
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional disease that can affect the quality of those who suffer from this condition. People with IBS can make lifestyle changes that may modify or control the number and severity of episodes. Certain foods, medications, and hormone levels may trigger IBS episodes, for example fatty foods, dairy products, eating foods in large quantities, foods that contain high levels of sorbitol, foods that produce intestinal gas (broccoli, onions, cabbage, and beans), chocolate, caffeine, physiological stress, some antibiotics, some antidepressants, medicine with sorbitol, and menstrual pain. Exercise, diet, and other lifestyle changes can decrease IBS flares, and prevent the number and severity of IBS episodes of diarrhea and constipation.
-
What Are the First Signs of Irritable Bowel Syndrome?
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common intestinal disorder that is characterized by abdominal pain and changes in bowel habits. IBS is a chronic condition that may cause either diarrhea or constipation, depending on the person.
-
Symptoms Of An IBS Attack- What To Know
IBS or irritable bowel syndrome is a medical condition affecting the large bowel. It is a type of functional bowel or gastrointestinal (GI) disorders. This means that although it causes disturbing symptoms, it does not cause any structural damage to the bowel.
-
Irritable Bowel Syndrome Foods To Avoid
Irritable bowel syndrome or IBS is a medical condition affecting the large bowel. It is a group of symptoms occurring together, including repeated pain in the abdomen, cramping, bloating and changes in the bowel movements, which may be diarrhea, constipation or both.
Treatment & Diagnosis
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome IBS FAQs
- Rifaximin (Xifaxan) for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Treatment
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome & Abdominal Pain - Common in Teens
- Alosetron-New Drug for Irritable Bowel
- Are antidepressants useful for IBS?
- IBS: Tincture of opium safe and effective for IBS?
- IBS: Is acupuncture useful in treating IBS?
- IBS: What are effective treatment options for IBS?
- IBS: MSG, lactosse, and food intolerances
- IBS: Is simethicone effective in IBS?
- IBS diarrhea treatment: Questran and Colestid
- IBS: What is Fedotazine? Is it used in IBS?
- Alosetron (Lotronex) effective for IBS?
- IBS treatment: Fiber and No Caffeine
- IBS, GERD, Hepatitis C: Doctors Dialogue
- IBS: Doing The Right Thing
- Irritable Bowel Drug Lotronex Yanked By FDA - Warning
- IBS Drug Treatment - The Lesson of Alosteron
- Tegaserod (Zelnorm)...New Drug for Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Does IBS Cause Crohn's Disease or Ulcerative Colitis?
- How Much Does Stress Affect IBS?
- IBS: What Can I Eat?
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): What Do I Eat?
Medications & Supplements

Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Professional side effects and drug interactions sections courtesy of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.