Skip to main content
HomeDrug Comparisons
Drug bottle and Pill

Compare Dicyclomine vs. Linzess

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

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.

  • Dicyclomine
    Linzess (linaclotide)
  • Dicyclomine
    Linzess (linaclotide)

  • Summary of Dicyclomine vs. Linzess

    Summary for Anticholinergic
    Prescription only

    Dicyclomine, also known by its brand name Bentyl, is an anticholinergic medication that's used to treat spasms of the muscles in the stomach and intestines in adults with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). This medication is available as generic tablets, capsules, and liquid that are taken by mouth four times daily. There's also an injection form of dicyclomine that's available as brand name and generic; it's injected into the muscle for people who can't take pills by mouth. Common side effects include dizziness, dry mouth, and blurry vision.

    Summary for GC-C agonist
    Prescription only

    Linzess (linaclotide) is approved for people 7 years and older with constipation from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-C). It's also for adults with long-lasting or chronic constipation from unknown reasons. Children 6 years and older with functional constipation can take this medication as well. Linzess (linaclotide) belongs to a drug class called guanylate cyclase-C agonists. It's a capsule that's taken by mouth once a day. But diarrhea is a common side effect. This medication is currently brand name only; there's no generic version yet.

  • Indications of Dicyclomine vs. Linzess

    Indications for
    •Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
    Indications for
    •Irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) in people 7 years and older
    •Chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) in adults
    •Functional constipation (FC) in children 6 years and older

  • Pros and Cons of Dicyclomine vs. Linzess

    Pros and Const for Anticholinergic
    Pros
    •Typically taken by mouth
    •Available as an oral liquid that's taken by mouth; good option for people who can't swallow tablets
    •Available as a lower-cost generic
    Cons
    •Taken 4 times per day
    •Older adults are more likely to have side effects from the medication
    •Might not be recommended for people with kidney or liver problems
    •Can't take if you're breastfeeding because of potentially serious harm to infants
    Pros and Const for GC-C agonist
    Pros
    •Only need to take once a day
    •Can start to see improvement as early as a week of taking it every day
    Cons
    •Must take on an empty stomach (30 minutes before a meal)
    •Can cause diarrhea

  • Common Side Effects of Dicyclomine vs. Linzess

    Common Side Effects for
    •Dizziness (40%)
    •Dry mouth (33%)
    •Blurred vision (27%)
    •Nausea (14%)
    Common Side Effects for

    Adults:

    •Diarrhea
    •Stomach pain
    •Having gas
    •Bloating and feeling full in the belly

    Children:

    •Diarrhea

  • Warnings of Dicyclomine vs. Linzess

    Common Side Effects for
    •Faster heart rate (caution in people with heart conditions)
    •Changes in mood, thoughts, or behaviors
    •Changes to bodily functions
    •Muscle weakness (caution in people with myasthenia gravis)
    •Strong caution in people with certain gut problems
    •Trouble urinating (caution in people with prostate problems)
    Common Side Effects for
    •Not for children under 2 years old because of risk of serious dehydration
    •Severe diarrhea

  • Prices with our coupons for Dicyclomine vs. Linzess

    Learn more about Dicyclomine
    Learn more about Linzess

Compare other Irritable Bowel Syndrome drugs

Dicyclomine vs LinzessAmitiza vs LinzessBentyl vs ViberziGolytely vs MiralaxIbsrela vs AmitizaIbsrela vs LinzessIbsrela vs MotegrityIbsrela vs ViberziLactulose vs AmitizaLactulose vs MiralaxLevsin vs LinzessLevsin vs ViberziLinzess vs KristaloseLinzess vs MotegrityLinzess vs MovantikLinzess vs TrulanceLinzess vs ViberziLomotil vs ViberziMagnesium Citrate vs MiralaxMiralax vs ColaceMiralax vs Dok PlusMiralax vs KristaloseMiralax vs LinzessMiralax vs SennaMovantik vs MiralaxMoviprep vs MiralaxSuprep vs MiralaxTrilyte vs MiralaxViberzi vs MotegrityXifaxan vs Viberzi
View More

Browse medications

View All

Research prescriptions and over-the-counter medications from A to Z, compare drug prices, and start saving.