Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsUsesBefore Taking BentylDosageSide EffectsInteractionsFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Uses
Before Taking Bentyl
Dosage
Side Effects
Interactions
Frequently Asked Questions
Bentyl (dicyclomine) is anantispasmodicdrug used to treat intestinal spasms and cramping in people withirritable bowel syndrome (IBS)and otherfunctional bowel disorders. Dicyclomine can be used both in adults and children and is available as a tablet, capsule, syrup, or injection.(Only the injection is still used under the trade name Bentyl.)
Bentyl can cause side effects and interact with certain drugs, but the benefits may outweigh the risks when faced with severeIBS symptoms.
This article describes the uses, dosage, risks, side effects, and interactions associated with taking Bentyl.
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Uses of Bentyl
By doing so, drugs like Bentyl can relieve spasms in the gut and intestines.
Irritable bowel syndrome is the most common type of functional bowel disorder.
Tell your healthcare provider about all medications, supplements, and vitamins you take before starting Bentyl. While some drugs pose minimal risks, others can cause severe interactions and/or side effects when used together.
Precautions and Contraindications
Because anticholinergic drugs affect smooth muscles throughout the body, they can affect the normal contraction of other organs and may be inappropriate for people with certain health conditions.
Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following:
Dicyclomine is a pregnancy category B drug, meaning that no harm was reported in animal studies but studies in humans are lacking. Dicyclomine should only be used during pregnancy if the benefits outweigh the risks. Notify your healthcare provider if you become pregnant while taking dicyclomine.
Bentyl should not be taken while breastfeeding as the drug can be passed into breast milk.
Warning in InfantsBentyl should never be used in children under 6 months of age as it can severely slow breathing and lead toacute respiratory distress.
Warning in Infants
Bentyl should never be used in children under 6 months of age as it can severely slow breathing and lead toacute respiratory distress.
Bentyl Dosage
The Bentyl dose is measured in milligrams (mg). A typical starting dose of the oral forms is 80 mg/day, divided equally into four doses. If that is tolerated but not effective, the dosage may be increased to 160 mg/day.
The injection is given in doses of 10 mg or 20 mg four times per day.
Warning About Antacids
If a dose is missed, take it as soon as you remember. If the next dose is soon, skip the missed dose and continue as normal. Never double up doses as it can increase the risk or severity of side effects.
Bentyl Side Effects
As with all drugs, Bentyl can cause side effects ranging from mild to severe. Some people have no side effects at all.
Common side effects of Bentyl include:
Call your health provider immediately if the side effects are severe or you experience any of the following uncommon side effects:
Warnings and Interactions
Bentyl can interact with other drugs with similar anticholinergic effects. There are also certain drugs that can either lower or increase the concentration of Bentyl in the blood.
Tell your healthcare provider if you take any of the following before starting Bentyl:
People taking Bentyl should also avoid alcohol as it can increase the drug’s sedative effects.
Bentyl (dicyclomine) does not help with anxiety. In fact, nervousness and agitation are two common side effects of a drug commonly used to treat irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
It is very rare for people to become addicted to Bentyl, but some studies have shown that people can grow physically dependent on it. This is usually due to the overuse of Bentyl, during which the body becomes so accustomed to the drug that it reacts badly if the drug is suddenly stopped.
7 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Library of Medicine: DailyMed.Label: Bentyl: dicyclomine hydrochloride injection, solution.Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH).Summary of evidence. In:Dicyclomine for Gastrointestinal Conditions: A Review of the Clinical Effectiveness, Safety, and Guidelines [Internet]. 2015.Camilleri M.Diagnosis and treatment of irritable bowel syndrome: a review.JAMA. 2021;325(9):865-877. doi:10.1001/jama.2020.22532Grad S, Dumitrascu DL.Irritable bowel syndrome subtypes: new names for old medical conditions.Dig Dis. 2020;38(2):122-127. doi:10.1159/000505287National Library of Medicine: DailyMed.Label: Dicyclomine: dicyclomine hydrochloride tablet.Medline Plus.Dicyclomine.Chiappini S, Mosca A, Miuli A, et al.Misuse of anticholinergic medications: a systematic review.Biomedicines. 2022;10(2):355. doi:10.3390/biomedicines10020355
7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Library of Medicine: DailyMed.Label: Bentyl: dicyclomine hydrochloride injection, solution.Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH).Summary of evidence. In:Dicyclomine for Gastrointestinal Conditions: A Review of the Clinical Effectiveness, Safety, and Guidelines [Internet]. 2015.Camilleri M.Diagnosis and treatment of irritable bowel syndrome: a review.JAMA. 2021;325(9):865-877. doi:10.1001/jama.2020.22532Grad S, Dumitrascu DL.Irritable bowel syndrome subtypes: new names for old medical conditions.Dig Dis. 2020;38(2):122-127. doi:10.1159/000505287National Library of Medicine: DailyMed.Label: Dicyclomine: dicyclomine hydrochloride tablet.Medline Plus.Dicyclomine.Chiappini S, Mosca A, Miuli A, et al.Misuse of anticholinergic medications: a systematic review.Biomedicines. 2022;10(2):355. doi:10.3390/biomedicines10020355
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Library of Medicine: DailyMed.Label: Bentyl: dicyclomine hydrochloride injection, solution.Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH).Summary of evidence. In:Dicyclomine for Gastrointestinal Conditions: A Review of the Clinical Effectiveness, Safety, and Guidelines [Internet]. 2015.Camilleri M.Diagnosis and treatment of irritable bowel syndrome: a review.JAMA. 2021;325(9):865-877. doi:10.1001/jama.2020.22532Grad S, Dumitrascu DL.Irritable bowel syndrome subtypes: new names for old medical conditions.Dig Dis. 2020;38(2):122-127. doi:10.1159/000505287National Library of Medicine: DailyMed.Label: Dicyclomine: dicyclomine hydrochloride tablet.Medline Plus.Dicyclomine.Chiappini S, Mosca A, Miuli A, et al.Misuse of anticholinergic medications: a systematic review.Biomedicines. 2022;10(2):355. doi:10.3390/biomedicines10020355
National Library of Medicine: DailyMed.Label: Bentyl: dicyclomine hydrochloride injection, solution.
Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH).Summary of evidence. In:Dicyclomine for Gastrointestinal Conditions: A Review of the Clinical Effectiveness, Safety, and Guidelines [Internet]. 2015.
National Library of Medicine: DailyMed.Label: Dicyclomine: dicyclomine hydrochloride tablet.
Medline Plus.Dicyclomine.
Chiappini S, Mosca A, Miuli A, et al.Misuse of anticholinergic medications: a systematic review.Biomedicines. 2022;10(2):355. doi:10.3390/biomedicines10020355
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