Donnatal Extentabs (Belladonna Alkaloids, Phenobarbital) Patient Information: How Should I Take the Drug at RxList

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May 27, 2012

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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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Donnatal Extentabs Patient Information including How Should I Take

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking belladonna alkaloids and phenobarbital (Donnatal Extentabs)?

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to atropine, hyoscyamine, scopolamine, or phenobarbital. You may not be able use this medication if you have:

enlarged prostate, urination problems;
a blockage in your intestines or digestive tract;
a stomach condition called paralytic ileus;
active bleeding;
severe ulcerative colitis or toxic megacolon;
a muscle disorder called myasthenia gravis;
a hiatal hernia or reflux disease; or
porphyria.

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs or if you have:

a colostomy or ileostomy;
liver disease;
kidney disease;
glaucoma;
a thyroid disorder;
heart disease, high blood pressure, congestive heart failure;
a heart rhythm disorder; or
ulcerative colitis or stomach ulcer.

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to take belladonna alkaloids and phenobarbital, or you may need a dose adjustment or special tests during treatment.

FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

It is not known whether this medication passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. However, belladonna alkaloids and phenobarbital can slow breast milk production. Do not take this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Do not give this medication to a child without the advice of a doctor.

Older adults may be more likely to have side effects such as constipation, dry mouth, problems with urination, agitation, confusion, or severe memory problems.

How should I take belladonna alkaloids and phenobarbital (Donnatal Extentabs)?

Take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take it in larger amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Take the medicine with a full glass of water.

Measure liquid medicine with a special dose-measuring spoon or cup, not a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.

Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse.

This medication can cause you to have unusual results with certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using belladonna alkaloids and phenobarbital.

Store belladonna alkaloids and phenobarbital at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Keep track of how much of this medicine has been used from each new bottle. Phenobarbital is a drug of abuse and you should be aware if any person in the household is using this medicine improperly or without a prescription.

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