Bentyl

What is the most important information I should know about Bentyl?

• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Bentyl may cause dizziness, drowsiness, or blurred vision. If you experience dizziness, drowsiness, or blurred vision, avoid these activities.
• Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while you are taking Bentyl.
• Avoid becoming overheated in hot weather. Bentyl increases the risk of heat stroke because it causes decreased sweating.

What is Bentyl?

• Bentyl relieves spasms of the gastrointestinal tract (stomach and intestines) by blocking the actions of spasm-causing chemicals in the body.
• Bentyl is used to treat functional bowel or irritable bowel syndrome.
• Bentyl may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Who should not take Bentyl?

• Do not take Bentyl if you have
  · a blockage of your urinary tract (difficulty urinating);
  · a blockage in your intestines;
  · reflux disease;
  · glaucoma; or
  · myasthenia gravis.
• Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have
  · numbness or tingling in your hands or feet;
  · liver disease;
  · kidney disease;
  · ulcerative colitis;
  · thyroid problems;
  · high blood pressure, an irregular heartbeat, or any type of heart disease;
  · hiatal hernia; or
  · enlargement of the prostate.
• Bentyl is in the FDA pregnancy category B. This means that it is unlikely to harm an unborn baby. Do not take Bentyl without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.
• Do not take Bentyl if you are breast-feeding a baby. Bentyl can cause serious breathing problems in infants younger than 6 months of age.

How should I take Bentyl?

• Take Bentyl exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
• Take each dose with a full glass of water.
• To ensure that you get a correct dose, measure the liquid form of Bentyl with a special dose-measuring spoon or cup, not with a regular tablespoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist where you can get one.
• Store Bentyl at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

• Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.

What happens if I overdose?

• Seek emergency medical attention.
• Symptoms of a Bentyl overdose include headache; nausea; vomiting; dry mouth; difficulty swallowing; blurred vision; dilated pupils; hot, dry skin; dizziness; drowsiness; confusion; anxiety; seizures; weak pulse; and an irregular heartbeat.

What should I avoid while taking Bentyl?

• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Bentyl may cause dizziness, drowsiness, or blurred vision. If you experience dizziness, drowsiness, or blurred vision, avoid these activities.
• Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while you are taking Bentyl.
• Avoid becoming overheated in hot weather. Bentyl increases the risk of heat stroke because it decreases sweating.

What are the possible side effects of Bentyl?

• If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking Bentyl and seek emergency medical attention:
  · an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives); or
  · an irregular or fast heart rate.
• Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take Bentyl and talk to your doctor if you experience
  · headache, dizziness, or lightheadedness;
  · weakness or nervousness;
  · blurred vision, large pupils;
  · rash or itching;
  · difficulty urinating;
  · decreased sweating; or
  · nasal congestion, stuffiness, or a dry mouth.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect Bentyl?

• Many other drugs may increase the side effects of Bentyl. Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:
  · amantadine (Symmetrel);
  · quinidine (Quinaglute, Cardioquin, Quinora, Quinidex);
  · antihistamines such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl, many others), brompheniramine (Dimetapp, Bromfed, many others), triprolidine (Actifed, others), and chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton, others), which are found in many over-the-counter and prescription cough, cold, and allergy medications;
  · decongestants and appetite suppressants such as phenylpropanolamine (Dexatrim, others), phenylephrine (Neo-Synephrine, others), and pseudoephedrine (Sudafed, others), which are also found in many over-the-counter and prescription products;
  · phenothiazines such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine) and prochlorperazine (Compazine);
  · other commonly used phenothiazines, including fluphenazine (Prolixin), mesoridazine (Serentil), perphenazine (Trilafon), thioridazine (Mellaril), trifluoperazine (Stelazine), and promazine (Sparine);
  · benzodiazepines (sleep and anxiety medications) such as alprazolam (Xanax) and diazepam (Valium);
  · other commonly used benzodiazepines, including chlordiazepoxide (Librium), clorazepate (Tranxene), clonazepam (Klonopin), estazolam (Prosom), flurazepam (Dalmane), halazepam (Paxipam), lorazepam (Ativan), oxazepam (Serax), prazepam (Centrax), quazepam (Doral), temazepam (Restoril), and triazolam (Halcion);
  · monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), tranylcypromine (Parnate), and phenelzine (Nardil);
  · narcotic analgesics such as codeine (Tylenol #3, and many other prescription pain relievers), morphine (MS Contin, Roxanol, Astramorph, Duramorph), hydrocodone (Vicodin), and propoxyphene (Darvocet, Darvon, Wygesic);
  · nitrates such as isosorbide dinitrate (Isordil, Sorbitrate) and isosorbide mononitrate (Imdur, ISMO);
  · tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil, Endep), doxepin (Sinequan), and nortriptyline (Pamelor); or
  · other commonly used tricyclic antidepressants, including: amoxapine (Asendin), clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), imipramine (Tofranil), protriptyline (Vivactil), and trimipramine (Surmontil).
• Bentyl may increase the level of digoxin (Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps) in your blood. Tell your doctor if you are taking digoxin so that your digoxin levels can be monitored and changes in your dosage can be made if necessary.
• Do not take antacids at the same time as Bentyl. They may decrease its absorption.
• Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Bentyl. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist has more information about Bentyl written for health professionals that you may read.