Bentyl and Diarrhea: What Users Say

• Joy...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 6, 2020

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "When I started on Bentyl, it seemed to help some, but I have been on it far too long. It has given me bad side effects. Diarrhea all the time, have to wear diapers especially when I go anywhere, it is so embarrassing. I fall and stagger around, it has affected my vision. I stopped the med after I got a letter from my insurance about the side effects for people over 65, and I am 71. I have taken this medicine for 5 or 6 years, and when I found out the side effects, especially with taking other medicine, I stopped it yesterday. I pray that it will help me. Desperate from NC."

• Arl...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 9, 2018

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "I was diagnosed with microcolitis after a colonoscopy. Up until the colonoscopy, I had taken loperamide for the daily early morning diarrhea, which worked okay. After the colonoscopy, I developed severe abdominal pain - left lower quadrant (LLQ) pain, especially during aerobic exercise. The GI doc prescribed dicyclomine (generic of Bentyl) 20 mg 3x day - worked wonders for pain! But when I tried going without loperamide, the diarrhea came back. So now I take both and things are relatively under control, although not 'normal.'"

• no ...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 26, 2022

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "I have tried so many medications to find relief from IBS-D, and I am still suffering. Bentyl gave me no relief and actually increased my diarrhea! I could have dealt with the side effects if I had gotten relief from the diarrhea. I can't say that I blame the medication, it's just that I haven't found relief with any product to date. I'll keep searching!"

• con...
• March 30, 2017

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "I have been taking Bentyl for a month. What a godsend! I take 10 mg two times daily. I have had no issues, it stopped the cramps. Stools are still irregular, sometimes diarrhea. I am new to IBS. Going to talk to my doctor about what trigger foods cause it to start."

• Tip...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 30, 2023

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "Ah, Bentyl. I have mixed feelings about it. Since being hospitalized for 4 days because of an intestinal blockage that caused an infection, non-stop diarrhea and vomiting with symptoms of sepsis, this has been a lifesaver. Literally. I take 20 mg, sometimes I'll cut it in half and take 10 mg in the morning and the other before bed. Always 30 min before a meal. Has it decreased my anxiety before eating out? Heck yeah. Has my IBS been a little more under control than before? Absolutely. Let's talk side effects. Yes, I may giggle or cry out of nowhere. Sometimes I can feel disoriented or confused, especially once it kicks in and for the following hour or two. Hot flashes, don't recommend taking Bentyl if you plan to be under the sun all day. Yeah, you will feel like you're dehydrated. It depends on how much I've eaten the day before or if I decided to have caffeine before taking it (bad idea). Tachycardia sometimes, but that all gets blocked out by no more diarrhea or running to a bathroom."

• mom...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 10, 2022

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "I found out in April that my rheumatoid factor was 48, and that set the ball in motion. I have other disorders, most likely, they are all autoimmune diseases. I used to weigh almost 300 pounds, but I worked hard after my back surgery, and I got to a happy 160 lb. Now, whatever is going on with my bowels causes constant diarrhea, tons of gas, and severe abdominal pain. I just started Bentyl yesterday, and my diarrhea is 100 times worse, why, and will this go away as my body adjusts?"

• Ben...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 17, 2023

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "Truly a miracle drug. Was prescribed Bentyl 20 mg for severe cramping due to suspected IBS. When taken before a meal, it just about-if not 100%-prevents cramping, bloating, and runny stool. Bentyl is best used as a preventative measure. Take it on an empty stomach at least 1 hour before eating. I promise you, it's much more effective this way. If you wait to take it until after symptoms have started on a full stomach, it will not work well."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 19, 2017

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "I went to the E.R. with a severe case of food poisoning. After hours of fluids, IVs, and various drugs, they were able to get it to stop. I filled my prescription for Bentyl the next day, 20 mg two times a day. After about 45 minutes, I started getting bad cramps and the worst diarrhea ever. I do not recommend this to anyone."

• Hea...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 9, 2021

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "Still have diarrhea a few days after this med! I will be waiting a few more days to see how this goes. No more gas or bloating. But diarrhea like crazy!"