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Bentyl Usage
Bentyl is an anticholinergic agent used to treat bladder or bowel spasms and in combination with other medicines to treat ulcers. It may also be used to treat other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Follow the directions for using this medicine provided by your doctor. STORE THIS MEDICINE at room temperature, away from heat and light. IF YOU MISS A DOSE OF THIS MEDICINE, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do NOT take 2 doses at once.
Bentyl Side Effects
SIDE EFFECTS, that may go away during treatment include dry mouth, drowsiness, blurred vision, dizziness, decreased sweating, constipation, nausea, loss of taste, headache, difficulty sleeping, or nervousness. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE if you experience unusual weakness, vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty urinating, difficulty focusing your eyes, rash, or rapid heart rate. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.
Bentyl Cautions
If your symptoms do not improve within a few days or if they become worse, check with your doctor. THIS MEDICINE MAY CAUSE drowsiness or blurred vision. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to this medicine. THIS MEDICINE WILL ADD TO THE EFFECTS of alcohol and other depressants. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines are depressants. BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINE, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. DO NOT BECOME OVERHEATED in hot weather or during exercise or other activities since heat stroke may occur while you are taking this medicine. THIS MEDICINE MAY CAUSE your eyes to become sensitive to sunlight. Wearing sunglasses may help. FOR WOMEN: IF YOU PLAN ON BECOMING PREGNANT, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using this medicine during pregnancy. IT IS UNKNOWN IF THIS MEDICINE IS EXCRETED in breast milk. DO NOT BREAST-FEED while taking this medicine.
Before Using Bentyl
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For anticholinergics/antispasmodics the following should be considered:
- Allergies
- Pregnancy
- Breast-feeding
- Children
- Older adults
- Other medicines
- Other medical problems
Proper Use of Bentyl
Take this medicine only as directed. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. To do so may increase the chance of side effects.
Bentyl Dosing
The dose of the anticholinergic/antispasmodic will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of your medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so. The number of capsules or tablets or teaspoonfuls of solution or syrup that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depends on the medical problem for which you are taking this medicine.
Bentyl Missed dose
If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses. For patients taking any of these medicines by mouth :
- Take this medicine 30 minutes to 1 hour before meals unless otherwise directed by your doctor.
To use the rectal suppository form of scopolamine:
- If the suppository is too soft to insert, chill it in the refrigerator for 30 minutes or run cold water over it before removing the foil wrapper.
- To insert the suppository: First remove the foil wrapper and moisten the suppository with cold water. Lie down on your side and use your finger to push the suppository well up into the rectum.
To use the transdermal disk form of scopolamine:
- This medicine usually comes with patient directions. Read them carefully before using this medicine.
- Wash and dry your hands thoroughly before and after handling.
- Apply the disk to the hairless area of skin behind the ear. Do not place over any cuts or irritations.
Bentyl Storage
To store this medicine:
- Keep out of the reach of children. Overdose is especially dangerous in young children.
- Store away from heat and direct light.
- Do not store the capsule or tablet form of this medicine in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down.
- Keep the liquid form of this medicine tightly closed and keep it from freezing. Do not refrigerate the syrup form of this medicine.
- Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.
Precautions While Using Bentyl
If you think you or someone else may have taken an overdose, get emergency help at once. Taking an overdose of any of the belladonna alkaloids or taking scopolamine with alcohol or other CNS depressants may lead to unconsciousness and possibly death. Some signs of overdose are clumsiness or unsteadiness; dizziness; severe drowsiness; fever; hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there); confusion; shortness of breath or troubled breathing; slurred speech; unusual excitement, nervousness, restlessness, or irritability; fast heartbeat; and unusual warmth, dryness, and flushing of skin. These medicines may make you sweat less, causing your body temperature to increase. Use extra care not to become overheated during exercise or hot weather while you are taking this medicine, since overheating may result in heat stroke. Also, hot baths or saunas may make you dizzy or faint while you are taking this medicine. Check with your doctor before you stop using this medicine . Your doctor may want you to reduce gradually the amount you are using before stopping completely. Stopping this medicine may cause withdrawal side effects such as vomiting, sweating, and dizziness. Anticholinergics may cause some people to have blurred vision. Make sure your vision is clear before you drive or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are not able to see well. These medicines may also cause your eyes to become more sensitive to light than they are normally. Wearing sunglasses may help lessen the discomfort from bright light. These medicines, especially in high doses, may cause some people to become dizzy or drowsy. Make sure you know how you react to this medicine before you drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are dizzy or are not alert. Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting may occur, especially when you get up from a lying or sitting position. Getting up slowly may help lessen this problem. These medicines may cause dryness of the mouth, nose, and throat. For temporary relief of mouth dryness, use sugarless candy or gum, melt bits of ice in your mouth, or use a saliva substitute. However, if your mouth continues to feel dry for more than 2 weeks, check with your medical doctor or dentist. Continuing dryness of the mouth may increase the chance of dental disease, including tooth decay, gum disease, and fungus infections. For patients taking scopolamine:
- This medicine will add to the effects of alcohol and other CNS depressants (medicines that slow down the nervous system, possibly causing drowsiness). Some examples of CNS depressants are antihistamines or medicine for hay fever, other allergies, or colds; sedatives, tranquilizers, or sleeping medicine; prescription pain medicine or narcotics; barbiturates; medicine for seizures; muscle relaxants; or anesthetics, including some dental anesthetics. Check with your doctor before taking any of the above while you are using this medicine.
For patients taking any of these medicines by mouth :
- Do not take this medicine within 2 or 3 hours of taking antacids or medicine for diarrhea. Taking antacids or antidiarrhea medicines and this medicine too close together may prevent this medicine from working properly.
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
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