Key takeaways
Dicyclomine (Bentyl) and linaclotide (Linzess) are both medications used to treat irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), but they belong to different drug classes and have different uses. Dicyclomine is an anticholinergic medication that helps relieve muscle spasms in the stomach and intestines and is primarily for IBS with diarrhea. It is available in generic form and can be taken orally or as an injection. Common side effects include dizziness, dry mouth, and blurred vision. Linaclotide, on the other hand, is a guanylate cyclase-C (GC-C) agonist used for IBS with constipation (IBS-C), chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC), and functional constipation (FC). It is taken as a capsule once daily on an empty stomach and is only available as a brand-name medication. Diarrhea is a common side effect of linaclotide, and it can lead to dehydration if severe.
