Irritable bowel syndrome sufferers may find relief with the anticholinergic medication dicyclomine. This drug blocks a chemical in the smooth muscles of the stomach and intestinal tract to help those muscles relax and lessen cramping. This antispasmodic can be taken as a tablet or intramuscular injection. Oral doses should begin at 80mg per day over four administrations of 20mg each and gradually work up to the therapeutically effective daily dose of 160mg per day. If the side effects are too great to advance to the 160mg-per-day level, the medication should be discontinued.
Drowsiness
Drugs.com says that besides drowsiness, patients may experience dizziness, blurred vision and lightheadedness. Due to those above side effects, patients are advised not to drive a car or operate machinery while taking dicyclomine.
Dryness
Dicyclomine tends to lessen sweating and cause dry mouth. RxList.com says that due to the lessened sweat produced, exercising in heated environments could cause heat prostration or heat stroke when using the drug. Nasal dryness and dry skin could also trigger respiratory inflammation, skin rashes and sore throat. Breastfeeding mothers may have difficulty producing enough breast milk, and men and women may have difficulty urinating when using the drug.
Constipation
Dicyclomine can cause constipation due to the absence of enough liquid getting to the food being processed in the intestinal tract. Mayo Clinic staff say that besides constipation, the patient using dicyclomine may suffer from abdominal pain and nausea.
Insomnia
Dicyclomine may make the patient lose sleep and feel tired all the time. Mayo Clinic staff say you may feel tired and weak when using the medication. Sufferers may also experience blurred vision and sensitivity to light. In rare cases, the patient may even experience memory loss.
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