Brand & Generic Names

Basic Information

• Habit forming? Yes
• Prescription needed? Yes
• Available as generic? Some yes, some no
• Drug class: Antispasmodic, anticholinergic, sedative

Uses

• Reduces spasms of digestive system, bladder and urethra.
• Reduces anxiety or nervous tension (low dose).
• Relieves insomnia (higher bedtime dose).

Dosage & Usage Information

How to take:
Tablet, liquid or capsule--Swallow with liquid or food to lessen stomach irritation. If you can't swallow whole, crumble tablet or open capsule and take with liquid or food.
Extended-release tablets or capsules-- Swallow each dose whole.
Chewable tablets--Chew well before swallowing.
Drops--Dilute dose in beverage before swallowing.

When to take:
At the same times each day.

If you forget a dose:
Take as soon as you remember up to 2 hours late. If more than 2 hours, wait for next scheduled dose (don't double this dose).

What drug does:
May partially block nerve impulses at nerve-cell connections.
Blocks nerve impulses at parasympathetic nerve endings, preventing muscle contractions and gland secretions of organs involved.

Time lapse before drug works:
15 to 30 minutes.

Don't take with:
Antacids* or antidiarrheals*.
Any other medicine without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.

Overdose

SYMPTOMS:
Blurred vision, confusion, convulsions, irregular heartbeat, hallucinations, coma.

WHAT TO DO:

• Dial 911 (emergency) or O (operator) for an ambulance or medical help. Then give first aid immediately.
• See EMERGENCY Information.

Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects

Life-threatening:

Unusual excitement, Seek emergency restlessness, fast treatment immediately. heartbeat, breathing difficulty.

Common:

• Dry mouth, throat, nose; drowsiness; constipation; dizziness; nausea; vomiting; "hangover" effect; depression; confusion.
• Reduced sweating, slurred speech, agitation, nasal congestion, altered taste.

Infrequent:

Difficult urination; difficult swallowing; rash or hives; face, lip or eyelid swelling; joint or muscle pain; lightheadedness.

Rare:

Jaundice; unusual bruising or bleeding; hives, skin rash; pain in eyes; blurred vision; sore throat, fever, mouth sores; unexplained bleeding or bruising.

Warnings & Precautions

Don't take if:

• You are allergic to any barbiturate or any anticholinergic.
• You have porphyria, trouble with stomach bloating, difficulty emptying your bladder completely, narrow-angle glaucoma, severe ulcerative colitis.

Before you start, consult your doctor:

• If you have open-angle glaucoma, angina, chronic bronchitis or asthma, hiatal hernia, liver disease, enlarged prostate, myasthenia gravis, peptic ulcer, epilepsy, kidney or liver damage, anemia, chronic pain, thyroid disease.
• If you will have surgery within 2 months, including dental surgery, requiring general or spinal anesthesia.

Over age 60:
Adverse reactions and side effects may be more frequent and severe than in younger persons. Ask your doctor about small doses.

Pregnancy:
Risk to unborn child outweighs drug benefits. Don't use.

Breast-feeding:
Drug passes into milk. Avoid drug or discontinue nursing until you finish medicine.

Infants & children:
Use only under doctor's supervision.

Prolonged use:

• May cause addiction, anemia, chronic intoxication.
• May lower body temperature, making exposure to cold temperatures hazardous.

Skin & sunlight:
May cause rash or intensify sunburn in areas exposed to sun or sunlamp.

Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
Don't drive or pilot aircraft until you learn how medicine affects you. Don't work around dangerous machinery. Don't climb ladders or work in high places. Danger increases if you drink alcohol or take medicine affecting alertness and reflexes.

Discontinuing:
May be unnecessary to finish medicine. Follow doctor's instructions. If you develop withdrawal symptoms of hallucinations, agitation or sleeplessness after discontinuing, call doctor right away.

Others:

• Great potential for abuse.
• Advise any doctor or dentist whom you consult that you take this medicine.

Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

Possible Interaction with Other Substances