Dicyclomine Hydrochloride (dicyclomine hydrochloride 20 mg) Dailymed

Adverse Reactions

The pattern of adverse effects seen with dicylomine is mostly related to its pharmacological actions at muscarinic receptors [see Clinical Pharmacology (12)] . They are a consequence of the inhibitory effect on muscarinic receptors within the autonomic nervous system. These effects are dose related and are usually reversible when treatment is discontinued.

The most serious adverse reactions reported with dicyclomine hydrochloride include cardiovascular and central nervous system symptoms [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2, 5.3)].

 

Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.

The data described below reflect exposure in controlled clinical trials involving over 100 patients treated for functional bowel/irritable bowel syndrome with dicyclomine hydrochloride at initial doses of 160 mg daily (40 mg 4 times a day).

In these trials most of the side effects were typically anticholinergic in nature and were reported by 61% of the patients. Table 1 presents adverse reactions ( MedDRA 13 preferred terms) by decreasing order of frequency in a side-by-side comparison with placebo.

Table 1: Adverse reactions experienced in controlled clinical trials with decreasing order of frequency

MedDRA Preferred Term	Dicyclomine Hydrochloride (40 mg four times a day) %	Placebo %
Dry Mouth	33	5
Dizziness	40	5
Vision Blurred	27	2
Nausea	14	6
Somnolence	9	1
Asthenia	7	1
Nervousness	6	2

 Nine percent (9%) of patients were discontinued from dicyclomine because of one or more of these side effects (compared with 2% in the placebo group). In 41% of the patients with side effects, side effects disappeared or were tolerated at the 160 mg daily dose without reduction. A dose reduction from 160 mg daily to an average daily dose of 90 mg was required in 46% of the patients with side effects who then continued to experience a favorable clinical response; their side effects either disappeared or were tolerated.

 

The following adverse reactions, presented by system organ class in alphabetical order, have been identified during post approval use of dicyclomine. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure.

•

Cardiac Disorders

: palpitations, tachyarrhythmias •

Eye Disorders

: cycloplegia, mydriasis, vision blurred •

Gastrointestinal Disorders

: abdominal distension, abdominal pain, constipation, dry mouth, dyspepsia, nausea, vomiting •

General Disorders and Administration Site Conditions

: fatigue, malaise •

Immune System Disorders:

drug hypersensitivity including face oedema, angioedema, anaphylactic shock •

Nervous System Disorders

: dizziness, headache, somnolence, syncope •

Psychiatric Disorders

: As with the other anticholinergic drugs, cases of delirium or symptoms of delirium such as amnesia (or transient global amnesia), agitation, confusional state, delusion, disorientation, hallucination (including visual hallucination) as well as mania, mood altered and pseudodementia, have been reported with the use of dicyclomine. Nervousness and insomnia have also been reported.•

Reproductive System and Breast Disorders:

suppressed lactation •

Respiratory, Thoracic and Mediastinal Disorders

: dyspnoea, nasal congestion •

Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorder

: dermatitis allergic, erythema, rash

 

Gastrointestinal: anorexia,

Central Nervous System: tingling, numbness, dyskinesia, speech disturbance, insomnia

Peripheral Nervous System: With overdosage, a curare-like action may occur (i.e., neuromuscular blockade leading to muscular weakness and possible paralysis).

Ophthalmologic: diplopia, increased ocular tension

Dermatologic/Allergic: urticaria, itching and other dermal manifestations;

Genitourinary: urinary hesitancy, urinary retention in patients with prostatic hypertrophy

Cardiovascular: hypertension

Respiratory: apnea

Other: decreased sweating, sneezing, throat congestion, impotence.