Dicyclomine
About Dicyclomine
Dicyclomine is an oral prescription medication used to relieve painful spasms and cramps in the stomach and intestines. It is primarily prescribed to treat symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). By relaxing the muscles in your gut, it helps ease abdominal pain and discomfort.
For the best results, this medicine is typically taken multiple times a day as prescribed, and it is important to take it consistently at the same times each day. You can take this medicine with or without food, though taking it before meals may provide better relief. Making certain diet and lifestyle changes, such as eating smaller meals and avoiding trigger foods, can also significantly improve your symptoms.
While taking Dicyclomine, you may experience common side effects like dry mouth, lightheadedness, or blurry vision. These symptoms are usually mild, but you should contact your doctor immediately if you develop serious side effects such as a rapid heart rate, confusion, or difficulty urinating.
Before you start taking Dicyclomine, talk to your doctor if you have a history of glaucoma, prostate problems, or kidney or liver damage. Do not take this medicine if you have severe bowel blockages, urinary blockages, or myasthenia gravis, as it can worsen these conditions.
This medicine can interact with alcohol, making you feel more sleepy or dizzy, and it may also interact with antacids or other prescription drugs. If you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, breastfeeding, or are an elderly individual, consult your healthcare provider to ensure this medication is safe for you.
Uses of Dicyclomine
Medicinal Benefits
Dicyclomine offers effective relief from the painful physical symptoms of an overactive gut. By targeting the source of the spasms directly, this medicine helps you return to your normal daily activities without the constant interruption of abdominal pain. Some of the key benefits you may experience include:
- Rapid relief from severe, sharp stomach cramps
- Reduced bloating and abdominal discomfort after eating
- Better control over sudden, urgent bowel movements
- The ability to enjoy meals with less fear of triggering painful stomach spasms
Directions for Use
- Dicyclomine can be taken with or without food. However, taking it with food may help reduce stomach upset.
- It is recommended to take Dicyclomine 4 times a day or as advised by your doctor.
- Swallow Dicyclomine as a whole with a glass of water.
- Do not crush or chew this medication.
Storage
Side Effects of Dicyclomine
Like all medications, Dicyclomine can cause side effects, though not everyone experiences them. Most side effects are temporary and will go away as your body adjusts to the medicine.
Common Side Effects (Usually mild)
- Dry mouth or dry throat
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Blurred vision
- Sleepiness or drowsiness
- Nausea or upset stomach
- Constipation
Serious Side Effects (Consult a doctor right away)
- Signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Confusion, memory loss, or hallucinations
- Difficulty urinating or a complete inability to pass urine
- A fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat
- Decreased sweating, which can lead to high body temperature and heat stroke in hot environments
- Severe dizziness or fainting
Medicines Containing this Salt
View AllDrug Warnings
Keep these vital safety precautions in mind while using this medication:
- Avoid driving, operating machinery, or performing tasks that require clear vision and mental alertness until you know how this medicine affects you.
- Be cautious in hot weather. This medicine reduces your ability to sweat, which can make you overheat easily and increases the risk of heat stroke.
- Do not drink alcohol while taking this medicine, as it can significantly increase side effects like extreme drowsiness and dizziness.
- If you are taking the liquid version, always inspect the bottle before use. Do not take it if you notice any unusual discolouration or particles in the solution.
- Avoid taking antacids at the same time as this medicine, as they can interfere with how well your body absorbs it.
Drug Interactions
- Antacids: Taking antacids at the same time can lower the absorption of Dicyclomine, making it less effective. Take this medicine at least one hour before taking any antacids.
- Other anticholinergic medicines: Combining this with other drugs that have anticholinergic effects (such as certain allergy medicines or bladder control drugs) can increase the risk of dry mouth, blurred vision, and urinary retention.
- Certain antidepressants or antihistamines: Taking these alongside Dicyclomine can worsen sleepiness, dizziness, and confusion.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionIt is advised to limit alcohol intake to prevent any undesirable side effects of Dicyclomine and further worsen your disease. Please consult your doctor before using Dicyclomine.
Pregnancy
cautionDuring pregnancy, Dicyclomine should be used only when clearly needed. It is advised to consult your doctor if you plan to conceive or already pregnant before starting Dicyclomine.
Breast Feeding
unsafeIt is not recommended to use Dicyclomine during breastfeeding. Dicyclomine can pass into breast milk and cause breathing problems or other undesirable effects in infants younger than six months of age. Please consult your doctor before taking Dicyclomine if you are a nursing mother.
Driving
cautionDicyclomine may cause side effects like dizziness, drowsiness and blurry vision which could affect your ability to focus. Please do not drive or operate machines until you feel better.
Liver
cautionLet your doctor know if you have any history of liver diseases or hepatic impairment. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and potential risks before prescribing Dicyclomine.
Kidney
cautionLet your doctor know if you have any history of kidney diseases. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and potential risks before prescribing Dicyclomine.
Children
cautionDicyclomine is not recommended for children younger than six months of age. Your doctor will decide the dose and duration based on your child’s age and medical condition.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
Making targeted adjustments to your daily routine can support the effects of Dicyclomine and help manage gut spasms more effectively:
- Identify trigger foods: Keep a detailed food diary to track what you eat and note any foods that trigger your spasms. Common triggers include caffeine, alcohol, fatty foods, and spicy dishes.
- Eat smaller, frequent meals: Consuming large meals can overstimulate your digestive tract and cause sudden cramping. Eating five or six smaller meals throughout the day can prevent this.
- Manage dry mouth: Since this medicine can cause dry mouth, chew sugarless gum, suck on ice chips, or sip water frequently to stay comfortable.
- Increase fibre gradually: If you experience constipation, talk to your doctor about slowly adding more fibre-rich foods like oats and fruits to your diet. Avoid sudden increases, which can cause gas and bloating.
- Reduce stress: Stress can directly trigger muscle spasms in the gut. Practice relaxation techniques such as deep breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation, or gentle yoga.
Special Advise
- You are advised to regularly monitor your blood pressure and blood glucose levels while using Dicyclomine.
- Your doctor may suggest diagnostic procedures like endoscopy or colonoscopy to understand your disease and its severity.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): It is also termed as IBS colitis, mucous colitis, spastic colon, nervous colon and spastic bowel. It is an inflammatory bowel disease that affects the large intestine. Symptoms of an IBS include abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhoea, mucus in stools, wind, constipation, tiredness, anxiety, depression, heartburn, indigestion and headaches. IBS can be controlled by managing diet excluding certain intolerant foods, lifestyle and stress. It is more commonly found in people in their late teens to early 40s.
Acid peptic disease: It is a digestive function disorder referring to various GI conditions like gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD), gastritis, gastric ulcer, duodenal ulcer and oesophageal ulcer. Acid peptic diseases commonly affect the oesophagus, stomach and duodenum. Symptoms can include abdominal pain, nausea, heartburn, regurgitation (expelling undigested food into the mouth), vomiting, loss of appetite and weight loss.
FAQs
Dicyclomine is used to treat functional bowel or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and acid peptic disease.
Dicyclomine consists of Dicyclomine, an anticholinergic agent that treats irritable bowel syndrome and acid peptic disease. It works by relaxing the muscles and inhibiting natural gut movements, thereby relieving muscle spasms and cramps in stomach and intestine, abdominal pain, constipation and other GI discomforts.
Dicyclomine should be used with caution and only under a doctor's supervision if you have any liver, kidney or heart diseases, stomach and intestinal problems, nervous system disorders, glaucoma, urinary retention and drug addiction.
Dicyclomine may make you sweat less and can likely cause heart stroke. Hence, it is advised to limit activities that cause overheat like an exercise in hot weather or using hot tubs. Drink plenty of fluids and dress lightly.
Antacids may lower the absorption of Dicyclomine and reduce its efficacy. It is advised to take antacid and Dicyclomine at different times. If you take antacid after meals, please take Dicyclomine before meals.
If you suffer from IBS, limit taking high fibre foods, foods and drinks that contain chocolate, alcohol, caffeine, fructose, or sorbitol, carbonated drinks, fried and fatty foods. Do not have large meals, instead, try having small and simpler meals at regular intervals, including fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet.
Yes, you can take it with or without food. Taking it before meals is often recommended to help prevent spasms triggered by eating. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist for personalised advice.
Yes, drowsiness and dizziness are common side effects. Avoid activities that require alertness, such as driving, until you know how this medicine affects you. Talk to your doctor if this sleepiness persists.
You should avoid alcohol while taking this medicine. Alcohol can increase the risk of severe drowsiness, lightheadedness, and impaired coordination. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have concerns.
You should consult your healthcare provider before taking this medicine if you are pregnant. Breastfeeding mothers should not use this medication, as it may pass into breast milk and affect the baby. Talk to your doctor to discuss safer alternatives.
Dry mouth is a very common side effect. You can manage this by sipping water frequently, sucking on ice chips, or chewing sugarless gum. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if the dryness becomes severe or painful.
This medicine is generally used for short-term relief of sudden spasm episodes rather than continuous, long-term daily therapy. Your doctor will determine the safest duration of treatment for your specific case. Talk to your doctor for more details.
