Dicyclomine Tablets

• Dicyclomine Hydrochloride Capsules USP, 10 mg: blue capsules with a white powder fill, imprinted logo LANNETT on the cap and 0586 on the body
• Dicyclomine Hydrochloride Tablets USP, 20 mg: blue, round, flat-faced, beveled edge tablets, debossed LAN over 1282

Pregnancy

Pregnancy Category B

Adequate and well-controlled studies have not been conducted with dicyclomine hydrochloride in pregnant women at the recommended doses of 80 to 160 mg/day. However, epidemiologic studies did not show an increased risk of structural malformations among babies born to women who took products containing dicyclomine hydrochloride at doses up to 40 mg/day during the first trimester of pregnancy. Reproduction studies have been performed in rats and rabbits at doses up to 33 times the maximum recommended human dose based on 160 mg/day (3 mg/kg) and have revealed no evidence of harm to the fetus due to dicyclomine. Because animal reproduction studies are not always predictive of human response, this drug should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed.

Nursing Mothers

Dicyclomine hydrochloride is contraindicated in women who are breastfeeding. Dicyclomine hydrochloride is excreted in human milk. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in breast-fed infants from dicyclomine hydrochloride, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or to discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother [see Use in Specific Populations (8.4)].

Pediatric Use

Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been established.

Dicyclomine hydrochloride is contraindicated in infants less than 6 months of age [see Contraindications (4)]. There are published cases reporting that the administration of dicyclomine hydrochloride to infants has been followed by serious respiratory symptoms (dyspnea, shortness of breath, breathlessness, respiratory collapse, apnea and asphyxia), seizures, syncope, pulse rate fluctuations, muscular hypotonia, and coma, and death, however; no causal relationship has been established.

Geriatric Use

Clinical studies of dicyclomine hydrochloride did not include sufficient numbers of subjects aged 65 and over to determine whether they respond differently from younger subjects. Other reported clinical experience has not identified differences in responses between the elderly and younger patients. In general, dose selection for an elderly patient should be cautious, usually starting at the low end of the dosing range in adults, reflecting the greater frequency of decreased hepatic, renal, or cardiac function, and of concomitant disease or other drug therapy.

Because elderly patients are more likely to have decreased renal function, care should be taken in dose selection, and it may be useful to monitor renal function.

Renal Impairment

Effects of renal impairment on PK, safety and efficacy of dicyclomine hydrochloride have not been studied. Dicyclomine hydrochloride is known to be substantially excreted by the kidney, and the risk of toxic reactions to this drug may be greater in patients with impaired renal function. Dicyclomine hydrochloride should be administered with caution in patients with renal impairment.

Hepatic Impairment

Effects of renal impairment on PK, safety and efficacy of dicyclomine hydrochloride have not been studied. Dicyclomine hydrochloride should be administered with caution in patients with hepatic impairment.

In case of an overdose, patients should contact a physician, poison control center (1-800-222-1222), or emergency room.

The signs and symptoms of overdosage include: headache; nausea; vomiting; blurred vision; dilated pupils; hot, dry skin; dizziness; dryness of the mouth; difficulty in swallowing; and CNS stimulation including convulsion. A curare-like action may occur (i.e., neuromuscular blockade leading to muscular weakness and possible paralysis).

One reported event included a 37-year-old who reported numbness on the left side, cold fingertips, blurred vision, abdominal and flank pain, decreased appetite, dry mouth, and nervousness following ingestion of 320 mg daily (four 20 mg tablets four times daily). These events resolved after discontinuing the dicyclomine.

The acute oral LD50 of the drug is 625 mg/kg in mice.

The amount of drug in a single dose that is ordinarily associated with symptoms of overdosage or that is likely to be life-threatening, has not been defined. The maximum human oral dose recorded was 600 mg by mouth in a 10-month-old child and approximately 1500 mg in an adult, each of whom survived. In three of the infants who died following administration of dicyclomine hydrochloride [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)], the blood concentrations of drug were 200, 220, and 505 ng/mL.

It is not known if dicyclomine hydrochloride is dialyzable.

Treatment should consist of gastric lavage, emetics, and activated charcoal. Sedatives (e.g., short-acting barbiturates, benzodiazepines) may be used for management of overt signs of excitement. If indicated, an appropriate parenteral cholinergic agent may be used as an antidote.

Dicyclomine hydrochloride is an antispasmodic and anticholinergic (antimuscarinic) agent available in the following dosage forms:

• Dicyclomine Hydrochloride Capsules, USP for oral use contain 10 mg of dicyclomine hydrochloride, USP. In addition, each capsule contains the following inactive ingredients: lactose monohydrate, calcium sulfate, magnesium stearate, gelatin, FD&C Blue No. 1, and FD&C Red No. 3.
• Dicyclomine Hydrochloride Tablets, USP for oral use contain 20 mg dicyclomine hydrochloride, USP. In addition, each tablet contains the following inactive ingredients: acacia, pregelatinized starch, anhydrous lactose, compressible sugar, dicalcium phosphate, colloidal silicon dioxide, magnesium stearate, stearic acid, and FD & C Blue No.1 Aluminum Lake.

Dicyclomine hydrochloride is [bicyclohexyl]-1-carboxylic acid, 2- (diethylamino) ethyl ester, hydrochloride, with a molecular formula of C19H35NO2•HCl and the following structural formula:

Dicyclomine hydrochloride occurs as a fine, white, crystalline, practically odorless powder with a bitter taste. It is soluble in water, freely soluble in alcohol and chloroform, and very slightly soluble in ether.

Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility

Long-term animal studies have not been conducted to evaluate the carcinogenic potential of dicyclomine. In studies in rats at doses of up to 100 mg/kg/day, dicyclomine produced no deleterious effects on breeding, conception, or parturition.

In controlled clinical trials involving over 100 patients who received drug, 82% of patients treated for functional bowel/irritable bowel syndrome with dicyclomine hydrochloride at initial doses of 160 mg daily (40 mg four times daily) demonstrated a favorable clinical response compared with 55% treated with placebo (p<0.05).

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

• Dizziness.
• Feeling sleepy.
• Blurred eyesight.
• Upset stomach.
• Feeling nervous and excitable.
• Feeling tired or weak.
• Dry mouth.
• More thirst.
• Dry skin.
• Flushing.
• Not able to sleep.
• Hard stools (constipation).

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.