dicyclomine vs oxybutynin
Side-by-side comparison of dicyclomine and oxybutynin Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
Bentyl
Ditropan
Dicyclomine is a medicine that helps with irritable bowel syndrome. It reduces muscle spasms in the gut.
Oxybutynin extended-release tablets help control an overactive bladder. It reduces the feeling of needing to go to the bathroom often.
Dicyclomine treats irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). IBS can cause stomach pain and changes in bowel habits. This medicine helps to relieve these symptoms.
This medicine treats overactive bladder. It helps with symptoms like needing to urinate frequently, feeling a sudden urge to urinate, and leaking urine. It can also treat overactive bladder in children 6 years and older caused by nerve problems.
Dicyclomine works by blocking a substance called acetylcholine. This substance tells the muscles in your gut to contract. By blocking acetylcholine, dicyclomine helps to relax these muscles and reduce spasms.
Oxybutynin belongs to a class of drugs called antimuscarinics. It works by relaxing the bladder muscles. This helps to decrease the urge to urinate and prevent leakage.
- • Dizziness
- • Dry mouth
- • Blurred vision
- • Nausea
- • Sleepiness
- • Dry mouth
- • Constipation
- • Diarrhea
- • Headache
- • Feeling sleepy
- Feeling sick to your stomach 1,251
- Loose, watery stools 1,193
- Feeling very tired 1,119
- Aches or soreness 1,002
- Pain in your head 861
- The medicine is not working 3,925
- Feeling tired 1,539
- Falling down 1,466
- Using the medicine for something it's not approved for 1,240
- Feeling sick to your stomach 1,211
Dicyclomine can worsen heart problems. It can also cause heat stroke because it reduces sweating. Some people, especially older adults or those with mental illness, may get psychosis or delirium. Overdose can cause muscle weakness and paralysis, especially in people with myasthenia gravis. This medicine may not be safe if you have a bowel obstruction, ulcerative colitis, or an enlarged prostate.
Oxybutynin can cause swelling of the face, lips, tongue, and throat (angioedema). If this happens, stop taking the medicine right away and get medical help. This medicine can also cause confusion, hallucinations, and drowsiness. Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how it affects you. Use caution if you have dementia, Parkinson's disease, myasthenia gravis, or decreased gut motility.
If you are pregnant, only use dicyclomine if clearly needed. Dicyclomine passes into breast milk and can harm a nursing baby. You should not breastfeed while taking this medicine.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if this medicine will harm your unborn baby. Talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding.
How to Read This dicyclomine vs oxybutynin Comparison
dicyclomine is classified in the Anticholinergic / Antispasmodic drug class, while oxybutynin sits within the Anticholinergic / Antispasmodic class. Because both drugs share the same classification, they are often considered interchangeable in theory — but clinical outcomes rarely track that cleanly. Both drugs are prescription-only, so a licensed provider must authorize use.
Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, dicyclomine has 5,426 submissions while oxybutynin has 9,381. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume — not per-patient risk — so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. No direct interaction between these two drugs is listed in our FDA-derived dataset, though co-prescription still warrants pharmacist review. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.
A table cannot substitute for clinical judgment. Effectiveness, tolerability, drug-drug interactions with your other medications, kidney and liver function, pregnancy status, insurance formulary, and price all feed into a decision that only a licensed prescriber can make responsibly. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This page is for educational purposes only, is not medical advice, and should not be used to self-switch between dicyclomine and oxybutynin — always consult your physician or pharmacist first.
Important: This comparison is for informational purposes only. Drug effects vary between individuals. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized medical advice.