dicyclomine

• Risk factors: Medical conditions that cause the heart to beat fast | Heart problems | High blood pressure

Let your care team know if you have heart problems, such as heart failure, past heart attacks, high blood pressure, or other medical conditions that cause your heart to beat faster than usual. It's possible for dicyclomine to cause your heart rate to go up, which can worsen certain heart conditions. Tell your care team if you notice a change in your heart rate or if you feel your heart pounding or racing.

• Risk factors: Age 65 years or older | Mental health conditions

Dicyclomine can sometimes cause changes to your mood, thoughts, or ability to think. It can cause symptoms such as confusion or memory loss. It can also lead to feelings of distress, seeing or hearing things that aren't really there (hallucinations), or extreme happiness (euphoria). Typically, these symptoms go away within 12 to 24 hours after you stop taking dicyclomine. Please let a healthcare professional (HCP) know right away if you experience any changes to your mood, thoughts, or behaviors.

• Risk factors: Age 65 years or older

Dicyclomine can cause changes to your autonomic nervous system, also known as the involuntary functions of your body. For example, the muscles of your gut might slow down, which can lead to constipation. Your body might also make less saliva, which can lead to dry mouth. Dicyclomine can also affect other functions, such as your heartbeat or vision.

In addition, you might sweat less, which can make you feel thirstier and put you at risk for heat stroke. Don't take dicyclomine without asking your HCP first if you have a fever because the medication might make it worse.

Let your HCP know if you experience any unusual and bothersome changes to your bodily functions.

• Risk factors: Taking a higher dose of dicyclomine than recommended

Though rare, dicyclomine can cause extreme muscle weakness and possibly paralysis. This is very unlikely if you take dicyclomine as prescribed. But muscle weakness is possible if you take a higher dose of the medication than what your prescriber recommended. Don't take dicyclomine if you have a condition called myasthenia gravis, unless your prescriber says it's safe to do so. Let an HCP know right away if you feel any muscle weakness or difficulty moving your body while you're taking dicyclomine.

Let your HCP know before you take dicyclomine for diarrhea if you've ever had a colostomy (or any similar procedures). Sometimes, diarrhea is a sign that you have a block in your gut, especially if you've had these procedures done. Taking dicyclomine in these situations can be harmful.

Also tell your prescriber if you think you have food poisoning to see whether it's safe for you to take dicyclomine. Taking this medication when you have food poisoning can lead to a very dangerous gut problem called toxic megacolon.

In addition, don't take dicyclomine if you have severe ulcerative colitis. Taking large doses of dicyclomine can slow the gut down to a stop. This can result in serious problems, like severe inflammation and swelling of the colon.

Use dicyclomine with caution if you have prostate problems. This medication can worsen prostate problems and lead to difficulty urinating. Let your HCP know if you have worsening symptoms of your prostate problem or have trouble urinating while you're taking dicyclomine.