Why is Bentyl prescribed?

Bentyl is used to treat functional bowel/irritable bowel syndrome (abdominal pain including diarrhea and constipation characteristic to stress).

Most important fact about Bentyl

The decrease in sweat, as a result of using bentyl in hot weather may cause fever and heat stroke. In case of these symptoms, the drug administration should stop and doctor should be notified by your doctor immediately.

How should you take Bentyl?

Bentyl should be taken exactly as prescribed.
In case of missing a dose, it should be taken as soonas you recall.
However, it is not advised to take 2 doses at once.
Only some of the following side effects may occur with the use of bentyl
Abdominal pain, bloated feeling, constipation, decreased sweating, difficulty in urinating, double vision, enlargement of the pupil of the eye, eye paralysis, fainting, headache, hives, impotence, inability to urinate, increased pressure in the eyes, itching, labored, difficult breathing, stuffiness or congestion, numbness, rapid heartbeat, rash, severe allergic reaction, sluggishness, sneezing, suffocation, suppression of breast milk, taste loss, temporary cessation of breathing.

Why should Bentyl not be prescribed?

Bentyl should not be taken in case of sensitivity or allergy to this medicine.
Bentyl should not be taken, unless suggested otherwise by a doctor, in case of blocked urinary tract, stomach, or intestines; severe ulcerative colitis (inflammatory disease of the large intestine); reflux esophagitis (swelling of the esophagus due to the acid that flows back into the stomach contents); glaucoma; or myasthenia gravis (a condition in which people experience long-lasting fatigue and muscle weakness).
Nursing mothers and infants less than 6 months should not be administered this drug.

Special warnings about Bentyl

Activities that require full mental alertness such as driving a car or operating machinery should not be pursued while taking Bentyl, as it can cause dizziness or blurred vision.
Diarrhea may foretell partial intestinal blockage, especially in people who have had bowel removals and an ileostomy or colostomy. If this happens, the doctor should be consulted immediately.
Bentyl must be used with caution if you have any nerve disorder; liver or kidney disease; hyperthyroidism; high blood pressure; coronary heart disease; congestive heart failure; rapid, irregular heartbeat; hiatal hernia (protrusion of part of the stomach through the diaphragm); or enlargement of the prostate gland.

Possible food and drug interactions when taking Bentyl

The doctore should be consulted prior to mixing Bentyl with other drugs as it may cause as increase, decrease or change in the effects. Airway-opening drugs such as albuterol sulfate, amantadine, antacids, antiarrhythmics such as quinidine, antiglaucoma drugs such as pilocarpine hydrochloride, antihistamines such as clemastine fumarate benzodiazepines (tranquilizers) such as alprazolam and diazepam, corticosteroids such as prednisone, Digoxin and others.
The effects of Bentyl during pregnancy are unknown. Therefore, you should notify your doctor about your pregnany or if you are planing to become pregnant. Nursing mothers should not use it.

Recommended dosage for Bentyl

ADULTS
The usual dosage is 160 milligrams daily divided equally into 4 doses. However, your doctor may recommend a starting dose of 80 milligrams per day divided into 4 equal doses. In case of no side effects, the doctor will then increase the dose.
If Bentyl stays ineffective even after 2 weeks of use or if side effects occur at doses below 80 milligrams per day, you may be to discontinue the use of this drug.

Overdosage

In case of an overdose, immediate medical attention should be sought. These symptoms include blurred vision, difficulty in swallowing, dilated pupils, dizziness, dryness of the mouth, headache, hot, dry skin, nausea, nerve blockage causing weakness and possible paralysis, vomiting.