Bentyl (Dicyclomine) Drug Information: Description, User Reviews, Drug Side Effects, Interactions

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February 3, 2012

Bentyl

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) »

What is irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)?

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is one of the most common ailments of the bowel (intestines) and affects an estimated 15% of people in the US. The term, irritable bowel, is not a particularly accurate one since it implies that the bowel is responding irritably to normal stimuli, and this may or may not be the case. The several terms used for IBS, including spastic colon, spastic colitis, and mucous colitis, attest to the difficulty of getting a descriptive handle on the ailment. Moreover, each of the other names is itself as problematic as the term IBS.

IBS is best described as a functional disease. The concept of functional disease is particularly useful when discussing diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. The concept applies to the muscular organs of the gastrointestinal tract; the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, gallbladder, and colon. What is meant by the term, functional, is that either th...

Read the Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) article »

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Bentyl

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BENTYL
(dicyclomine hydrochloride)

DRUG DESCRIPTION

BENTYL is an antispasmodic and anticholinergic (antimuscarinic) agent available in the following dosage forms:

BENTYL capsules for oral use contain 10 mg dicyclomine hydrochloride USP. BENTYL 10 mg capsules also contain inactive ingredients: calcium sulfate, corn starch, FD&C Blue No. 1, FD&C Red No. 40, gelatin, lactose, magnesium stearate, pregelatinized corn starch, and titanium dioxide.
BENTYL tablets for oral use contain 20 mg dicyclomine hydrochloride USP. BENTYL 20 mg tablets also contain inactive ingredients: acacia, dibasic calcium phosphate, corn starch, FD&C Blue No. 1, lactose, magnesium stearate, pregelatinized corn starch, and sucrose.
BENTYL syrup for oral use contains 10 mg dicyclomine hydrochloride USP in each 5 mL (1 teaspoonful). BENTYL syrup also contains inactive ingredients: citric acid, D&C Red No. 33, FD&C Blue No. 1, FD&C Red No. 40, FD&C Yellow No. 6, flavors, glucose, methylparaben, propylene glycol, propylparaben, saccharin sodium, and water.
BENTYL injection is a sterile, pyrogen-free, aqueous solution for intramuscular injection (NOT FOR INTRAVENOUS USE) supplied as an ampoule containing 20 mg/2 mL (10 mg/mL). Each mL contains 10 mg dicyclomine hydrochloride USP in sterile water for injection, made isotonic with sodium chloride.

BENTYL (dicyclomine hydrochloride) is [bicyclohexyl]-1carboxylic acid, 2-(diethylamino) ethyl ester, hydrochloride, with a molecular formula of C₁₉H₃₅NO₂•HCl and the following structural formula:

BENTYL (dicyclomine hydrochloride) Structural Formula Illustration

Molecular weight: 345.95

Dicyclomine hydrochloride occurs as a fine, white, crystalline, practically odorless powder with a bitter taste. It is soluble in water, freely soluble in alcohol and chloroform, and very slightly soluble in ether.

What are the possible side effects of dicyclomine (Bentyl)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using dicyclomine and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

confusion, hallucinations, unusual thoughts or behavior;
fast, pounding, or uneven heart rate; or
urinating less than usual or not at all.

Less serious side effects may include:

drowsiness, dizziness, headache;

Read All Potential Side Effects and See Pictures of Bentyl »

What are the precautions when taking dicyclomine (Bentyl)?

Before taking dicyclomine, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: glaucoma, enlarged prostate, problems with urination due to a blocked urinary tract, other stomach/intestinal problems (such as slow gut, blockage, ulcerative colitis, infection, little/no stomach acid, ileostomy/colostomy patients with diarrhea), overactive thyroid, heart problems (such as coronary artery disease, angina, congestive heart failure, fast/irregular heartbeat, heart problems due to severe bleeding), high blood...

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Last reviewed on RxList: 8/10/2011
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.