dicyclomine
Brand names: Bentyl
Dicyclomine is a medicine that helps with irritable bowel syndrome. It reduces muscle spasms in the gut.
Drug Pricing (NADAC)
Generic Price
$0.08/unit
Generic Available
Yes (29 manufacturers)
Pricing data from NADAC (CMS), effective December 18, 2024. Compare all drug costs →
What it does
Dicyclomine treats irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Common side effects
Dizziness, Dry mouth, Blurred vision
Key warnings
Dicyclomine can worsen heart problems.
How It Works
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.
How to Take It
Take dicyclomine capsules as your doctor tells you. The usual starting dose for adults is 20 mg four times a day. After one week, your doctor may increase the dose to 40 mg four times a day. If it doesn't work after 2 weeks, or if side effects are too strong, stop taking it.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
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.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose, just continue with your next scheduled dose. Do not double the dose.
Storage
Store dicyclomine capsules at room temperature (68° to 77°F) away from light and moisture.
Side Effects (from patient reports)
Based on 9,119 FDA adverse event reports.
FDA Adverse Event Report Analysis
Detailed analysis of 13,367 reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Reports span 2004–2025.
Total Reports
13,367
Death-Related Reports
790
Hospitalization Reports
4,021
Top Indication
Product Used For Unknown Indication
Gender Distribution
Age Distribution
Most Reported Adverse Reactions (FAERS)
| # | Reaction | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | NAUSEA | 1,251 |
| 2 | DIARRHOEA | 1,193 |
| 3 | FATIGUE | 1,119 |
| 4 | PAIN | 1,003 |
| 5 | HEADACHE | 861 |
| 6 | DRUG INEFFECTIVE | 854 |
| 7 | OFF LABEL USE | 753 |
| 8 | CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE | 716 |
| 9 | DIZZINESS | 688 |
| 10 | VOMITING | 682 |
| 11 | ABDOMINAL PAIN | 681 |
| 12 | DYSPNOEA | 618 |
| 13 | ANXIETY | 586 |
| 14 | ABDOMINAL PAIN UPPER | 565 |
| 15 | FALL | 553 |
Reactions in Death Reports
Reactions in Hospitalization Reports
Source: FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) Reports are voluntary and do not establish causation
Serious Warnings
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.
Known Drug Interactions
7.5 Effect on Absorption of Other Drugs Anticholinergic agents may affect gastrointestinal absorption of various drugs by affecting on gastrointestinal motility, such as slowly dissolving dosage forms of digoxin; increased serum digoxin concentration may result.
Mechanism: Dicyclomine slows down the movement of the gut, which gives the body more time to absorb digoxin into the blood.
What to do: Your doctor should monitor your digoxin levels closely to prevent them from getting too high.
7.2 Other Drugs with Anticholinergic Activity The following agents may increase certain actions or side effects of anticholinergic drugs including dicyclomine hydrochloride: amantadine, antiarrhythmic agents of Class I (e.g., quinidine), antihistamines, antipsychotic agents (e.g., phenothiazines), benzodiazepines, MAO inhibitors, narcotic analgesics (e.g., meperidine), nitrates and nitrites, sympathomimetic agents, tricyclic antidepressants, and other drugs having anticholinergic activity.
Mechanism: Both drugs have similar effects on the body, so taking them together can increase the risk of side effects like dry mouth or constipation.
What to do: Talk to your doctor about monitoring for increased side effects when using these medications together.
7.3 Other Gastrointestinal Motility Drugs Interaction with other gastrointestinal motility drugs may antagonize the effects of drugs that alter gastrointestinal motility, such as metoclopramide.
Mechanism: These two drugs work in opposite ways on how the stomach moves, which means they can cancel each other out. One drug tries to speed up the gut while the other tries to slow it down.
What to do: Your doctor may need to monitor how well your stomach is working or adjust your medications.
Common Questions
Can I take dicyclomine if I have glaucoma?
Can I take dicyclomine if I am breastfeeding?
What should I do if I get a fever while taking dicyclomine?
Can dicyclomine be used for children?
Can I drive while taking dicyclomine?
What should I avoid while taking dicyclomine?
Can I take antacids with dicyclomine?
What if dicyclomine doesn't seem to be working?
Can I drink alcohol while taking dicyclomine?
What are the signs of an overdose?
What are the common side effects of dicyclomine?
Does dicyclomine interact with other medications?
What drug class is dicyclomine?
Is dicyclomine safe during pregnancy?
Has dicyclomine been recalled?
Active Recalls
CGMP Deviations: Firm went out of business and could no longer continue stability studies.
Akorn, Inc.
Related Medications in Anticholinergic / Antispasmodic
Other drugs grouped near dicyclomine — same-class peers and common alternatives.
alosetron
Lotronex
Alosetron (Lotronex) is a medicine for women with severe diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Compare with dicyclomine →
aprepitant
Emend
Aprepitant (Emend) is a medicine that helps prevent nausea and vomiting.
Compare with dicyclomine →
bisacodyl
Dulcolax
Bisacodyl is a medicine that helps you have a bowel movement.
Compare with dicyclomine →
bismuth subsalicylate
Pepto-Bismol
Bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol) is a medicine that can treat diarrhea and upset stomach.
Compare with dicyclomine →
cimetidine
Tagamet
Cimetidine (Tagamet) reduces stomach acid.
Compare with dicyclomine →
Medication Guides
Understanding Drug Interactions
How CYP450 enzymes, inhibitors, and inducers affect your medications
Generic vs Brand Name Drugs
FDA requirements, cost savings, and when the difference matters
Narrow Therapeutic Index Drugs
Why some drugs demand precise dosing and monitoring
Common Drug Interactions
Dangerous medication combinations and how to protect yourself
Related Health & Safety Data
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Medicare procedure pricing for 9,297 procedures
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What the FDA Data Shows for dicyclomine
The FDA label for dicyclomine (sold under brand names such as Bentyl) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the Anticholinergic / Antispasmodic class. Dicyclomine treats irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Official labeling lists 7 commonly reported side effects, including Dizziness, Dry mouth, Blurred vision.
Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. For this drug, FAERS contains 9,119 voluntary reports. The database also lists 3 documented drug interactions derived from FDA labeling, with the top-flagged interaction rated minor severity. NADAC pricing from CMS shows a generic unit cost of $0.08.
Report counts do not establish causation — a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history (currently 1 recall record on file), and patent information further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice — always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
Data Sources
Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Pricing: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC).
FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.
Last updated: July 24, 2023
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
All federal data sources used on this page
- FDA Orange Book — approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence. accessdata.fda.gov/cder/ob
- FDA DailyMed — NIH-hosted drug labeling for FDA-approved meds. dailymed.nlm.nih.gov
- FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) — post-marketing safety surveillance. fda.gov/drugs/faers
- NLM RxNorm — standardized clinical drug nomenclature. nlm.nih.gov/research/umls/rxnorm
- CMS Medicare Part B Drug Average Sales Price Files — federal drug pricing data. cms.gov/medicare/part-b-drugs/asp
- FDA Drug Shortages Database — current and resolved drug shortage tracking. accessdata.fda.gov/drugshortages