Dicyclomine is a type of prescription medication called an anticholinergic. This medication works by interfering with substances in the body that induce muscle spasms along the gastrointestinal tract. Dicyclomine is administered orally as a tablet, capsule or syrup, and can be taken up to four times daily or as prescribed by a doctor. Patients should discuss dicyclomine indications with a medical professional before beginning treatment with this medication.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Dicyclomine is indicated to treat patients with irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, a condition characterized by severe intestinal inflammation. As many as one in five adults within the United States experience irritable bowel syndrome symptoms, such as diarrhea, bloating or abdominal pain, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. Treatment with dicyclomine can help control uncomfortable gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with this syndrome by preventing unusual muscle contractions along the intestine.
Contraindications
Patients who have certain medical complications including glaucoma, myasthenia gravis, esophageal reflux, ulcerative colitis, obstructive uropathy, obstructive gastrointestinal tract disease and cardiac irregularities associated with excessive bleeding, should not take dicyclomine, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns. Dicyclomine is also contraindicated for nursing mothers and babies under the age of six months. Patients who are sensitive to dicyclomine should not take this medication due to an increased risk of developing a severe allergic reaction.
Side Effects
Patients taking dicyclomine can develop common side effects during treatment. Mild side effects can include difficulty sleeping, lightheadedness, decreased taste sensation, dry mouth, upset stomach, headache, constipation, vision alterations, nervousness or decreased sweating, Drugs.com reports. Patients who develop severe side effects such as memory loss, increased heart rate or difficulty urinating, moving or speaking, should seek prompt medical care.
