dicyclomine hydrochloride 10 MG per 5 ML Oral Solution
WARNINGS
In the presence of a high environmental temperature, heat prostration can occur with drug use (fever and heat stroke due to decreased sweating).
If symptoms occur, the drug should be discontinued and supportive measures instituted.
Diarrhea may be an early symptom of incomplete intestinal obstruction, especially in patients with ileostomy or colostomy.
In this instance, treatment with this drug would be inappropriate and possibly harmful.
Dicyclomine hydrochloride oral solution may produce drowsiness or blurred vision.
The patient should be warned not to engage in activities requiring mental alertness, such as operating a motor vehicle or other machinery or performing hazardous work while taking this drug.
Psychosis has been reported in sensitive individuals given anticholinergic drugs.
CNS signs and symptoms include confusion, disorientation, short-term memory loss, hallucinations, dysarthria, ataxia, coma, euphoria, decreased anxiety, fatigue, insomnia, agitation and mannerisms, and inappropriate affect.
These CNS signs and symptoms usually resolve within 12 to 24 hours after discontinuation of the drug.
There are reports that administration of dicyclomine hydrochloride oral soution to infants has been followed by serious respiratory symptoms (dyspnea, shortness of breath, breathlessness, respiratory collapse, apnea, asphyxia), seizures, syncope, pulse rate fluctuations, muscular hypotonia, and coma.
Death has been reported.
No causal relationship between these effects observed in infants and dicyclomine administration has been established.
DICYCLOMINE HYDROCHLORIDE ORAL SOLUTION IS CONTRAINDICATED IN INFANTS LESS THAN 6 MONTHS OF AGE AND IN NURSING MOTHERS.
(see CONTRAINDICATIONS and PRECAUTIONS : Nursing Mothers Nursing Mothers and Pediatric Use Pediatric Use ).
Safety and efficacy of dicyclomine hydrochloride in pediatric patients have not been established.
DRUG INTERACTIONS
Drug Interactions The following agents may increase certain actions or side effects of anticholinergic drugs: 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.
Anticholinergics antagonize the effects of antiglaucoma agents.
Anticholinergic drugs in the presence of increased intraocular pressure may be hazardous when taken concurrently with agents such as corticosteroids.
(See also CONTRAINDICATIONS .) Anticholinergic agents may affect gastrointestinal absorption of various drugs, such as slowly dissolving dosage forms of digoxin; increased serum digoxin concentrations may result.
Anticholinergic drugs may antagonize the effects of drugs that alter gastrointestinal motility, such as metoclopramide.
Because antacids may interfere with the absorption of anticholinergic agents, simultaneous use of these drugs should be avoided.
The inhibiting effects of anticholinergic drugs on gastric hydrochloric acid secretion are antagonized by agents used to treat achlorhydria and those used to test gastric secretion.
OVERDOSAGE
Signs and Symptoms The signs and symptoms of overdosage are headache; nausea; vomiting; blurred vision; dilated pupils; hot, dry skin; dizziness; dryness of the mouth; difficulty in swallowing; and CNS stimulation.
A curare-like action may occur (i.e., neuromuscular blockade leading to muscular weakness and possible paralysis).
A 37-year-old female reported numbness on the left side, cold fingertips, blurred vision, abdominal and flank pain, decreased appetite, dry mouth, and nervousness following ingestion of 320 mg daily (four 20 mg tablets QID) for four days.
These events resolved after discontinuing the dicyclomine.
Oral LD 50 The acute oral LD 50 of the drug is 625 mg/kg in mice.
Minimum Human Lethal Dose/Maximum Human Dose Recorded The amount of drug in a single dose that is ordinarily associated with symptoms of overdosage or that is likely to be life threatening, has not been defined.
The maximum human oral dose recorded was 600 mg by mouth in a 10-month-old child and approximately 1500 mg in an adult, each of whom survived.
In three of the infants who died following administration of dicyclomine hydrochloride (see WARNINGS ), the blood concentrations of drug were 200, 220, and 505 ng/mL, respectively.
Dialysis It is not known if dicyclomine hydrochoride is dialyzable.
Treatment Treatment should consist of gastric lavage, emetics, and activated charcoal.
Sedatives (e.g., short-acting barbiturates, benzodiazepines) may be used for management of overt signs of excitement.
If indicated, an appropriate parenteral cholinergic agent may be used as an antidote.
DESCRIPTION
Dicyclomine hydrochloride oral solution is an antispasmodic and anticholinergic (antimuscarinic) agent.
Each 5 mL (teaspoonful) of dicyclomine hydrochloride oral solution for oral administration contains: Dicyclomine HCl ………………………….
10 mg Also contains glycerin, methylparaben, propylene glycol, propylparaben, purified water, sorbitol solution, sucrose, with D&C Red #33, FD&C Blue #1, FD&C Red #40, FD&C Yellow #6 as coloring, and natural and artificial tropical fruit punch flavoring.
Chemically, dicyclomine hydrochloride is [bicyclohexyl]-1-carboxylic acid, 2-(diethylamino) ethyl ester, hydrochloride.
Dicyclomine hydrochloride occurs as a fine, white, crystalline, practically odorless powder with a bitter taste.
It is soluble in water, freely soluble in alcohol and chloroform, and very slightly soluble in ether.
Its structural formula is as follows: C 19 H 35 NO 2 • HCl M.W.
345.95 dicyclomine hydrochloride chemical structure
HOW SUPPLIED
Dicyclomine hydrochloride oral solution is supplied as a pinkish orange, tropical fruit punch-flavored syrup.
NDC 0179-0173-80—— 10ml unit dose cups in Box of 12 Cups.
STORAGE Store at 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F).
[see USP Controlled Room Temperature].
Dispense in a tight container with a child-resistant closure.
GERIATRIC USE
Geriatric Use Clinical studies of dicyclomine hydrochloride oral solution did not include sufficient numbers of subjects aged 65 and over to determine whether they respond differently from younger subjects.
Other reported clinical experience has not identified differences in responses between the elderly and younger patients.
In general, dose selection for an elderly patient should be cautious, usually starting at the low end of the dosing range, reflecting the greater frequency of decreased hepatic, renal, or cardiac function, and of concomitant disease or other drug therapy.
(See DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION ) This drug is known to be substantially excreted by the kidney, and the risk of toxic reactions to this drug may be greater in patients with impaired renal function.
Because elderly patients are more likely to have decreased renal function, care should be taken in dose selection, and it may be useful to monitor renal function.
INDICATIONS AND USAGE
Dicyclomine hydrochloride oral solution is indicated for the treatment of functional bowel/irritable bowel syndrome.
PEDIATRIC USE
Pediatric Use (See CONTRAINDICATIONS , WARNINGS , and PRECAUTIONS : Nursing Mothers ).
DICYCLOMINE HYDROCHLORIDE IS CONTRAINDICATED IN INFANTS LESS THAN 6 MONTHS OF AGE.
Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been established.
PREGNANCY
Pregnancy Teratogenic Effects Pregnancy Category B Reproduction studies have been performed in rats and rabbits at doses up to 33 times the maximum recommended human dose based on 160 mg/day (3 mg/kg) and have revealed no evidence of impaired fertility or harm to the fetus due to dicyclomine.
Epidemiologic studies in pregnant women with products containing dicyclomine hydrochloride (at doses up to 40 mg/day) have not shown that dicyclomine increases the risk of fetal abnormalities if administered during the first trimester of pregnancy.
There are, however, no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women at the recommended doses (80 to 160 mg/day).
Because animal reproduction studies are not always predictive of human response, dicyclomine hydrochloride as indicated for functional bowel/irritable bowel syndrome should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed.
NUSRING MOTHERS
Nursing Mothers Since dicyclomine hydrochloride has been reported to be excreted in human milk, DICYCLOMINE HYDROCHLORIDE IS CONTRAINDICATED IN NURSING MOTHERS.
(See CONTRAINDICATIONS , WARNINGS , PRECAUTIONS : Pediatric Use and ADVERSE REACTIONS .
)
INFORMATION FOR PATIENTS
Information for Patients Dicyclomine hydrochloride may produce drowsiness or blurred vision.
The patient should be warned not to engage in activities requiring mental alertness, such as operating a motor vehicle or other machinery or to perform hazardous work while taking this drug.
Dicyclomine hydrochloride is contraindicated in infants less than 6 months of age and in nursing mothers.
(See CONTRAINDICATIONS , WARNINGS , and PRECAUTIONS : Nursing Mothers and Pediatric Use ).
In the presence of a high environmental temperature, heat prostration can occur with drug use (fever and heat stroke due to decreased sweating).
If symptoms occur, the drug should be discontinued and a physician contacted.
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION
DOSAGE MUST BE ADJUSTED TO INDIVIDUAL PATIENT NEEDS.
(See CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY .) Adults-Oral The only oral dose clearly shown to be effective is 160 mg per day (in 4 equally divided doses).
Since this dose is associated with a significant incidence of side effects, it is prudent to begin with 80 mg per day (in 4 equally divided doses).
Depending upon the patient’s response during the first week of therapy, the dose should be increased to 160 mg per day unless side effects limit dosage escalation.
If efficacy is not achieved within 2 weeks or side effects require doses below 80 mg per day, the drug should be discontinued.
Documented safety data are not available for doses above 80 mg daily for periods longer than 2 weeks.
Elderly In general, dose selection for an elderly patient should be cautious, usually starting at the low end of the dosing range, reflecting the greater frequency of decreased hepatic, renal, or cardiac function, and of concomitant disease or other drug therapy.
(See PRECAUTIONS : Geriatric Use )