Dicyclomine+diclofenac
About
Dicyclomine+diclofenac is a combination drug primarily used to treat Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and abdominal cramps occurring due to dysmenorrhea (painful irregular periods). Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic disease that affects the large intestine and will require to manage long term. Signs and symptoms involve abdominal pain, cramping, gas, bloating and constipation or diarrhoea, or both. Dysmenorrhea (Menstrual cramps) is throbbing, aching pain and cramps occurring in your lower belly just before and during your period.
Dicyclomine+diclofenac is composed of two medicines: Dicyclomine (antispasmodic) and Diclofenac (Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) which relieves abdominal pain and cramps. In this combination, Dicyclomine helps to relax the muscles in the stomach and gut (intestine), thus preventing sudden muscle contractions (spasms), relieving cramps, bloating, pain and discomfort. Diclofenac works by blocking the release of certain chemical messengers that lead to inflammation (swelling) and abdominal pain. Together, they effectively reduce pain.
Dicyclomine+diclofenac should be taken as advised by your doctor. Do not chew or crush the medicine. In some cases, you may experience certain common side effects such as nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, loss of appetite, sleepiness, dryness in the mouth, weakness, dizziness, nervousness, heartburn, and blurred vision. Most of these side effects do not require medical attention and subside over time. However, consult your doctor if the side effects are persistent for a longer duration.
Taking more than the daily prescribed dose of Dicyclomine+diclofenac may cause liver damage or allergic reactions like swelling of the mouth, face, throat, difficulty in breathing, skin rash or itching. Gastrointestinal bleeding, ulcer formation is commonly observed during treatment with Dicyclomine+diclofenac. Before taking Dicyclomine+diclofenac, inform your doctor if you have heart disease, high blood pressure and asthma. Dicyclomine+diclofenac is not recommended for use in pregnant and breastfeeding mothers due to serious side effects.
Uses of Dicyclomine+diclofenac
Medicinal Benefits
Dicyclomine+diclofenac is a combination drug primarily used to treat Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and abdominal cramps occurring due to dysmenorrhea (painful irregular periods). Dicyclomine+diclofenac is composed of two medicines: Dicyclomine (antispasmodic) and Diclofenac (Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory disease/ pain killer) which relieves abdominal pain and cramps. It prevents sudden muscle contractions (spasms), thus, relieving cramps, bloating, pain and discomfort.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Dicyclomine+diclofenac
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Sleepiness
- Dryness in mouth
- Weakness
- Dizziness
- Nervousness
- Heartburn
- Blurred vision.
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
- Before taking Dicyclomine+diclofenac, inform your doctor if you have heart disease, high blood pressure, and asthma.
- Dicyclomine+diclofenac is not recommended for children below the age of 12 years, as the safety and efficacy for this medicine is not established.
- Dicyclomine+diclofenac can cause drowsiness or blurred vision, avoid driving or performing any other activity that requires concentration after taking Dicyclomine+diclofenac.
- Always keep your doctor informed about your current medications or the ones you have taken in the past, including over-the-counter and herbal medicines.
- If you are pregnant or a nursing mother, inform your doctor on priority as Dicyclomine+diclofenac may cause serious side effects to the unborn baby.
- You are not recommended to consume alcohol along with Dicyclomine+diclofenac to avoid unpleasant side effects.
Drug Interactions
Drug Interactions: Dicyclomine+diclofenac interacts with other pain relievers (e.g., ketorolac, pentazocine, paracetamol), anticancer medications (e.g., methotrexate, altretamine, busulfan), a blood thinner (e.g., apixaban), medicines for joint swelling (e.g., celecoxib), medicines for lowering blood pressure (e.g., ramipril), and urinary alkalinizer (e.g., potassium citrate)
Drug-Food Interactions: Avoid consuming alcohol during treatment with Dicyclomine+diclofenac to avoid unpleasant side effects.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Patients suffering from liver disease, bleeding disorder, myasthenia gravis, asthma, gastrointestinal toxicity, high blood pressure, or alcoholism should avoid taking Dicyclomine+diclofenac due to a severe interaction
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeConsumption of alcohol should be avoided during treatment with Dicyclomine+diclofenac as it contains diclofenac which causes unpleasant side-effects like gastric bleeding.
Pregnancy
unsafeDicyclomine+diclofenac should not be used during pregnancy as Dicyclomine+diclofenac contains diclofenac which causes serious heart and kidney disease in the unborn baby.
Breast Feeding
unsafeDicyclomine+diclofenac passes into breast milk. Hence, it is not recommended for use in breastfeeding mothers due to undesirable side effects to the newborn infants.
Driving
cautionDicyclomine+diclofenac may cause dizziness, drowsiness and visual disturbances, which may affect their ability to drive or operate machinery. Hence avoid driving or operating machinery after taking Dicyclomine+diclofenac.
Liver
cautionCaution should be exercised during treatment with Dicyclomine+diclofenac, if you have any history of Liver diseases/conditions. Dose adjustment may be done by your physician depending on your LFT tests.
Kidney
cautionCaution should be exercised during treatment with Dicyclomine+diclofenac, if you have any history of kidney diseases/conditions. Dose adjustment may be done by your physician depending on your RFT tests.
Children
unsafeDicyclomine+diclofenac is not to be used in children below 12 years of age as the safety and efficacy for Dicyclomine+diclofenac is not established
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Include more glucosamine, chondroitin sulphate, Vitamin D, calcium-enriched supplements. Besides this, turmeric and fish oils can help in reducing inflammation in the tissue.
- Do not do heavy exercise as it may increase your joint pain in arthritis. Instead, you can do stretching, low impact aerobic exercise (like walking on a treadmill, bike riding, and swimming), and simple forms of yoga.
- In chronic conditions of arthritis or joint pain, add fish (like salmon, trout, tuna, and sardines) in your diet as they are enriched with omega-3 fatty acids that minimize chemical cytokines, which increase inflammation.
- Your sitting posture is important, especially when you have pain and inflammation condition. Try to sit as little as possible and only for a short time (10-15 min). Use back support like a rolled-up towel at the back of your curve to minimize pain. Keep your knees and hips at a right angle. Besides this, you can use a footrest if required.
Special Advise
Your doctor may advice regular hemoglobin check, as long term use of Dicyclomine+diclofenac may cause anemia.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): It is a chronic disease that affects the large intestine and will require to manage long term. Signs and symptoms involve abdominal pain, cramping, gas, bloating and constipation or diarrhoea, or both. Few people can control their symptoms by managing lifestyle, diet and stress. More-severe symptoms can be treated with counselling and medication.
Dysmenorrhea (Menstrual cramps): It is a condition that causes throbbing and aching cramps and pain in your lower belly or abdomen just before and during your period.
FAQs
No, do not suddenly stop taking Dicyclomine+diclofenac. If you want to stop taking Dicyclomine+diclofenac, consult your doctor, and he might gradually reduce the dose to avoid an unwanted increase in pain.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose of Dicyclomine+diclofenac to make up for a missed one.
Yes, the use of Dicyclomine+diclofenac can cause diarrhoea in some cases. In the case of diarrhoea, increase the intake of fluids like drink plenty of water. If still, diarrhoea persists, inform your doctor and do as advised.
Yes, the use of Dicyclomine+diclofenac can cause dry mouth. If you feel excessively thirsty, increase fluid intake and avoid spicy and salty food.
Dicyclomine+diclofenac should be used with caution in patients with glaucoma as it may worsen the symptoms and used only when prescribed by a doctor.
