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May 27, 2012

Donnatal

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...

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Donnatal Extentabs

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Donnatal Extentabs Patient Information Including Side Effects

Brand Names: Bellatal, Donnatal, D-Tal

Generic Name: belladonna alkaloids and phenobarbital (Pronunciation: BEL a DON a AL ka loids and FEEN oh BAR bi tal)

What is belladonna alkaloids and phenobarbital (Donnatal Extentabs)?

Phenobarbital is in a group of drugs called barbiturates (bar-BIT-chur-ates). Phenobarbital slows the activity of your brain and nervous system.

Belladonna alkaloids produce many effects in the body, including reduced muscle spasms in the digestive or urinary tract, and reduced fluid secretions from certain glands or organs.

The belladonna alkaloids included in this medication include atropine, hyoscyamine, and scopolamine.

The combination of belladonna alkaloids and phenobarbital is used to treat irritable bowel syndrome and ulcers in the intestine.

Belladonna alkaloids and phenobarbital may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Donnatal

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What are the possible side effects of belladonna alkaloids and phenobarbital (Donnatal Extentabs)?

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 this medication and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

diarrhea;
painful or difficult urination;
fast or pounding heartbeats;
blurred vision with eye pain, or seeing halos around lights;
feeling like you might pass out; or
mouth sores, red or bleeding gums, or tooth decay (with long-term use).

Less serious side effects may include:

drowsiness;
blurred vision, increased sensitivity to light;
dry mouth;
decreased taste sensation;
decreased sweating or urination;
headache, dizziness, weakness;
sleep problems (insomnia);
nausea, vomiting, constipation, bloating;
feeling restless or excited; or
impotence, loss of interest in sex, or trouble having an orgasm.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is the most important information I should know about belladonna alkaloids and phenobarbital (Donnatal Extentabs)?

Phenobarbital may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. This medication should never be shared with another person, especially someone who has a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a secure place where others cannot get to it.

Do not take this medication together with a potassium supplement unless your doctor has told you to.

Tell your doctor if you regularly use other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold or allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression, or anxiety). They can add to sleepiness caused by belladonna alkaloids and phenobarbital.

This medication can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

Avoid drinking alcohol while taking this medication or you could have increased dizziness and drowsiness.

Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise and in hot weather. Belladonna alkaloids and phenobarbital can decrease perspiration and you may be more prone to heat stroke.

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

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