Antispasmodics: What They Do, Medicines
Also in: हिन्दी தமிழ் मराठी తెలుగు ಕನ್ನಡ বাংলা ગુજરાતી മലയാളം
Antispasmodics are medicines used to relieve cramping pain caused by spasm of the smooth muscle in the stomach and intestines. Dicyclomine is an anticholinergic antispasmodic. They ease the cramping but do not treat the condition causing it.
Pharmacist review in progress. This page is based on the sources listed below and is being checked by our registered pharmacist.
How do Antispasmodics work?
Anticholinergic antispasmodics block acetylcholine, a nerve messenger that tells the smooth muscle of the gut to contract. Some, such as dicyclomine, also relax the muscle directly. Because acetylcholine also works elsewhere in the body, they can cause dry mouth, blurred vision, drowsiness and difficulty passing urine.
Active ingredients of this type
These active ingredients belong to Antispasmodics. They are listed A to Z.
- Dicyclomine: Dicyclomine (also called dicycloverine) is an antispasmodic medicine used to relieve cramping pain caused by spasm of the stomach and intestine muscles.
Common questions
Who needs to be careful with anticholinergic antispasmodics?
People with glaucoma, an enlarged prostate or difficulty passing urine, myasthenia gravis, or a blockage in the gut should ask a doctor first, because these medicines can make such problems worse. They also reduce sweating, which raises the risk of overheating in hot weather.
Sources
- National Formulary of India. Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission
- BENTYL (dicyclomine hydrochloride) prescribing information. US Food and Drug Administration
- Dicycloverine 10 mg Tablets: Summary of Product Characteristics. electronic medicines compendium (emc), UK