Dicycloverine
About Dicycloverine
Dicycloverine belongs to a group of medications called 'antispasmodics' (spasm and cramps reliever) primarily used for reducing stomach pain due to spasms, cramps, and irritable bowel syndrome. Abdominal spasm is a condition in which the abdominal muscles, intestine, and stomach contract severely. Stomach spasms can be caused due to muscle strain, dehydration, stomach gas formation, inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, gastritis (stomach inflammation), pregnancy, constipation, or other gastrointestinal infection.
Dicycloverine contains “Dicycloverine”, which reduces spasms and pain by relaxing the muscles and blocking certain chemical messengers in the brain responsible for causing the sensation of pain.
You are advised to take Dicycloverine for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you, depending on your medical condition. In some cases, you may experience certain common side effects, such as dryness in the mouth, dizziness, weakness, blurred vision, nervousness, sleepiness, constipation, difficulty urination, and nausea. Most of the side effects of Dicycloverine do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. Please consult your doctor if you experience these side effects persistently.
Please do not stop taking Dicycloverine on your own as it might cause withdrawal symptoms. Your doctor may reduce your dose gradually. Dicycloverine use in pregnant women is safe if prescribed by a doctor. Dicycloverine may pass into breastmilk, so avoid taking Dicycloverine if you are breastfeeding. Dicycloverine should not be given to children below 6 months as the safety and effectiveness were not established. Dicycloverine may cause drowsiness, blurred vision, or vision changes; do not drive or handle machinery unless you are alert. Avoid consumption of alcohol while taking Dicycloverine as it may cause increased drowsiness.
Uses of Dicycloverine
Medicinal Benefits
Dicycloverine belongs to a class of medicines called ‘anticholinergics’ primarily used to relieve spasmodic abdominal pain, irritable bowel syndrome, and general pain-related discomfort of the lower abdomen. Dicycloverine contains Dicycloverine, which works by relaxing the smooth muscles in the stomach and gut (intestine). It also blocks certain chemical messengers (acetylcholine) from binding to muscarinic receptors on smooth muscle, which cause pain sensation, thereby stopping sudden muscle contractions (spasms), and relieving cramps, pain, bloating, and discomfort.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Dicycloverine
- Dry mouth
- Dizziness
- Weakness
- Nervousness
- Sleepiness
- Blurred vision
- Loss of appetite (anorexia)
- Constipation
- Nausea
- Difficulty or pain in passing water (urine)
Drug Warnings
Tell your doctor if you are allergic to any of its ingredients. Keep your doctor informed about all the medicines you are taking, including prescription, non-prescription medicines, and herbal supplements. Dicycloverine is pregnancy category B medicines so its use in pregnancy is safe if prescribed by a doctor. Dicycloverine may pass into breastmilk, so avoid taking Dicycloverine if you are breastfeeding. Please do not stop taking Dicycloverine on your own as it might cause your cramps or pain may come back. Before using Dicycloverine, tell your doctor if you have liver/kidney problems, irregular heartbeat, glaucoma, myasthenia gravis (muscle disease), hypertension (high blood pressure), gastroesophageal reflux, hyperthyroidism, benign prostate hyperplasia. Dicycloverine may cause drowsiness, blurred vision, or vision changes; do not drive or handle machinery unless you are alert. Avoid consumption of alcohol while taking Dicycloverine as it may cause increased drowsiness.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Dicycloverine may interact with medications, including benzodiazepines (clonazepam, diazepam, and lorazepam), antipsychotic agents (chlorpromazine, fluphenazine, perphenazine), antidepressants (selegiline, rasagiline, phenelzine, amitriptyline, nortriptyline, clomipramine, imipramine, trimipramine) antihistamines (cetirizine, levocetirizine, loratadine, fexofenadine) medicines used to treat glaucoma (travoprost, latanoprost, acetazolamide, and timolol).
Drug-Food Interactions: Avoid consumption of alcohol while taking Dicycloverine as it may cause increased drowsiness.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Dicycloverine may have interactions with arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat), gastrointestinal obstruction, glaucoma, infectious diarrhoea, acute alcohol intoxication, autonomic neuropathy (nerve damage), respiratory depression, seizures, prolonged low blood pressure, depression, psychoses, obesity, high blood pressure, porphyria, fever.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionDicycloverine can cause excessive drowsiness and increase the risk of stomach problems.
Pregnancy
cautionDicycloverine is a pregnancy category B drug. So, its use in pregnant and nursing mothers is safe if prescribed by a doctor.
Breast Feeding
cautionDicycloverine can pass into breast milk and cause breathing problems or other life-threatening side effects in infants younger than 6 months of age. This drug can also lower the amount of breast milk your body makes. It is highly recommended to consult your doctor before taking this drug in case you are breastfeeding.
Driving
cautionDicycloverine can cause dizziness or drowsiness. Use caution while driving or doing anything that requires concentration.
Liver
cautionDicycloverine to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of liver diseases/conditions. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
Kidney
cautionDicycloverine to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of kidney diseases/conditions. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
Children
cautionGenerally, Dicycloverine is not recommended for children below 6 months. In case it has to be given, then the dose has to be adjusted and recommended by a child specialist only.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Opt for food and drinks high in Omega 3 fatty acid to get relief from pain, swelling, and inflammation. Omega 3 fatty acid-enriched foods include flaxseeds, walnut, soybean oil, salmon, and tuna fish if you prefer non-veg.
- Try to fill half your food plate with fruits and veggies. Bananas and yogurt taken with Dicycloverine may help protect your gut lining.
- Limit salt intake and prefer herbs or spices like garlic, ginger, and turmeric, a natural anti-inflammatory.
- Try to avoid alcohol as it can affect your stomach and intestine and limit the absorption of the essential nutrients required by your body.
Special Advise
Dicycloverine may make you sweat less. Avoid doing things that may cause you to overheat such as exercise while taking Dicycloverine.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Abdominal or Stomach spasm: It is a short-term or acute condition in which the abdominal muscles (abs), intestine, and stomach contract severely. Stomach spasms can be caused due to muscle strain, dehydration, stomach gas formation, inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, gastritis (stomach inflammation), pregnancy, constipation, or other gastrointestinal infection.
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): It involves chronic inflammation of your digestive tract. It includes ulcerative colitis, which involves inflammation and sores (ulcers) of the lining of your large intestine (colon) and rectum.
FAQs
Dicycloverine helps treat spasms and pain by relaxing the muscles. It also blocks certain chemical messengers in the brain, which cause pain sensation, hence relieving pain.
Dicycloverine is used to relieve cramps or spasms of the stomach and intestines (gut). It is not known whether it can be used for menstrual cramps. Please consult your doctor before taking it for menstrual cramps.
In case you have missed a dose of Dicycloverine, you are advised to take it as soon as you remember. However, try not to miss a dose in the first place; if it's time for you to take your next dose, then do not take both doses together.
The use of Dicycloverine is contra-indicated if you are allergic to any of its components (dicycloverine). And also, it should be taken carefully in patients with kidney or liver disease. Dicycloverine passes into the breast milk and can affect the baby, so avoid its intake.
