Dicyclomine and Dizziness: What Users Say

• waw...
• July 13, 2019

Dicyclomine for Irritable Bowel Syndrome "I have long-time IBS with two diverticulitis attacks within the last 4 months. This medication does quell my pain (10mg) within one hour of taking it. For this, I would rate it at 10, however, the side effects are very bad. Double blurry vision, extreme dizziness, lethargy, and disorientation. Do not make any plans outside your home if you plan on taking this. I only use it when the pain and discomfort becomes extreme. So thankful my wife is a former EMT-I and a CRNA. She helps me much."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 6, 2020

Dicyclomine for Irritable Bowel Syndrome "I have a stomach bug (gastroenteritis) that has lasted 3 days so far. I was prescribed Bentyl and Zofran on day 2. I do not take pills well, I'm always worried about side effects. I decided to take one after being prescribed Bentyl anyways. I am a 28-year-old female weighing about 175. Bentyl made me a bit dizzy for about 2 hours, but not too bad. Make sure you take it with a full glass of water and lay down. Day 3, I took another pill, thinking I'll be fine with just a little dizziness. I was wrong. I did wait too long between doses, I'm not sure if that's what caused bad side effects (18 hours in between) or because I can't handle muscle relaxers. Either way, exactly 30 minutes after taking Bentyl this time, I was slowly becoming 'high' but not in a fun way. I sat down, had some soup, and as soon as I stood up to walk, I felt really low to the ground like gravity was pulling on me pretty hard. I was very nervous from this point onward until it wore off by the 2nd hour."

• loy...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 17, 2021

Dicyclomine for Irritable Bowel Syndrome "After starting Bentyl, I had severe vertigo and had to figure out myself it was Bentyl (I am a nurse). Please take this medicine only if you make yourself aware of the side effects, especially any major change in physical condition. I also have GERD, which I found out is contraindicated."

• Riy...
• January 30, 2013

Dicyclomine for Irritable Bowel Syndrome "I take Bentyl for irritable bowel syndrome flare-ups, and it does work for me. I would suggest taking it at night before bed or make sure you're home because it can cause drowsiness, dizziness, and dry mouth. This is an antispasmodic, also known as a muscle relaxer. So be careful when taking this. It really does work wonders."

• mom...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 16, 2015

Dicyclomine for Irritable Bowel Syndrome "I've been on Bentyl for a little over a month now. At first, it was great, helped with the painful attacks I was having. Now I'm so dizzy from it that I can't function, even as a stay-at-home mom. I can't drive to my doctor's appointment, and all I do is sit at home in a daze."

• Gra...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 6, 2019

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "I have been taking dicyclomine for 4 years for painful cramping. Yes, it does work exceptionally well for that. Unfortunately, I am one of the few that gets the dizziness, and I lose balance from it. I am 51 years old and have fallen in parking lots, at home, trouble carrying my grandkids. That, however, does not stop me from taking it. The pain without it is just too much. It literally takes all the pain away."

• Gra...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 6, 2019

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "I have been taking dicyclomine for 4 years for painful cramping. Yes, it does work exceptionally well for that. Unfortunately, I am one of the few that gets the dizziness, and I lose balance from it. I am 51 years old and have fallen in parking lots, at home, trouble carrying my grandkids. That, however, does not stop me from taking it. The pain without it is just too much. It literally takes all the pain away."

• Joh...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 27, 2021

Dicyclomine for Irritable Bowel Syndrome "First, I want to thank you all for your reviews. These reviews helped me to finally be brave enough to take Bentyl for IBS. I was sick for months: constipation, bloating, sudden diarrhea with syncope sometimes, lost 35 lbs. without trying, and highly sensitive to various foods. I logged everything I ate, drank, and every BM for 5 months. I was tested for everything under the sun... multiple blood labs good, multiple stool labs good, good upper & lower GIs, CT scan. I had nothing physically wrong with me to be found. My primary care recommended I try Bentyl. I avoided it due to some of the horror stories I initially read online about possible side effects. Months later, I finally tried it after reading some of your reviews on this website. For the first 2-3 days, I had some minor dizziness and felt tired. But after sticking with it for a few days, those side effects went away completely, and I feel absolutely normal. I only wish I'd had tried Bentyl sooner."

• LCi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 30, 2017

Dicyclomine for Irritable Bowel Syndrome "This worked like magic on my horrible, knife-like abdominal cramps and bloating. Within 30 minutes, my tummy felt great! But... Bentyl leaves me unable to work and barely functional. When I would take it, it would make me so confused I couldn't remember where I was, why I was there, or what I had just been doing. I would stop talking to someone mid-sentence and not remember what we were talking about or how I got there. I often couldn't answer simple questions. I also became very dizzy. I would only take it again if the IBS symptoms occurred at home and at bedtime. Such a shame. Nothing took away my pain like Bentyl did."

• che...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 20, 2018

Dicyclomine for Irritable Bowel Syndrome "I went back to this due to side effects with another medication. Bentyl is cheap and works, but the side effects make me dizzy and tired. I'll keep taking it because it's the only thing that works. Must take 2-4 times a day to not have cramping, but definitely works for cramping like nothing else."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 14, 2014

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "I took 10 mg of Bentyl, even though my doc said to take 20 mg. Yes, it took care of the abdominal cramps, but I got a bad headache, dry mouth and eyes, and dizziness. I also got pain in my thigh and tingling in the same leg where I have nerve issues because of a herniated disc. This also caused neck pain where I have nerve issues as I took only 5 mg 20 hours later when I could feel the cramping coming back. The side effects were there, but to a lesser degree. The most disturbing side effect was my heart rate dropped to 45; it's usually in the low 60s, and blood pressure went up. Not sure I can continue on this medication, perhaps only when I feel cramping coming on and no more than 5 mg."

• Jul...
• June 16, 2016

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "I had been taking this for a year, with no side effects. They made me kind of giggly and high, but just recently I've been having terrible side effects. I get dizzy, disoriented, anxiety attacks, insomnia, and terrible migraines. I had to be taken off of it immediately when it sent me to the ER with dilated pupils, blurred vision, slow heart rate, low blood pressure, and the major disorientation."

• Meg...
• August 3, 2017

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "I've had IBS for as long as I can remember. It gets so bad that I vomit from the pain, then about 15 years ago, I began passing out from the abdominal cramping. Finally talked to my doctor after passing out while driving. Tried different drugs, and he finally gave me Lomotil, which worked but made my constipation worse. Finally, I became a nurse and, while working in a prison, I discovered dicyclomine is what they were prescribed, so I asked my doctor about it. It has been a lifesaver!! I take it only as needed when I start to feel the cramping coming on. The only downside is it makes me feel kind of high. Maybe it's just dizziness and tiredness, but I've been known to fall down a couple of times using it. It beats passing out on the toilet, though!"

• Jol...
• March 30, 2019

"Sudden attack of pain in the right side of the abdomen, just under the rib cage. 30 minutes later, worst vomiting and diarrhea ever, didn’t stop vomiting till 20 hours later. Diarrhea every 30-60 minutes for 4 days, continuously. On the 2nd day, went to the ER, CT & ultrasound ruled out the gall bladder. Saw PCP Monday, biliary colic possible, special testing would show it. I was given a prescription for dicyclomine (Bentyl) and got relief after only 30 minutes! 10 mg, before meals and bedtime. One time heart racing and nearly fainting, likely because I had had no solid foods for 5 days. Enjoying full meals is great though still dizzy, dry mouth, blurred vision. I lowered the dose to 1 in the morning and 1 at night, has kept pain, nausea, and diarrhea at bay. HIDA scan soon to see if bile ducts are blocked. Regular BM now, so maybe I’m on the mend. Read Rx site and says the capsule can be opened and sprinkled on applesauce. Will try that since I don't metabolize meds well. Sprinkling it on food will allow me to adjust the dose."

• MrS...
• September 23, 2016

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "My doctor prescribed this after he decided, out of the blue, that he wasn't comfortable prescribing me Donnatal anymore. Donnatal was a 10/10 in terms of relief and lack of side effects, but Bentyl has been awful. Blurry vision, nausea, coordination problems, flushing of the skin, hot flashes, extreme dry mouth and eyes, and maybe half the time very slight relief from cramping and pain. The negative side effects absolutely outweigh the minimal benefits, especially the added nausea on top of the nausea from my IBS. I'm supposed to take 4 per day, but even 2 per day and the side effects are unbearable. I can't drive after I take this either because of the vision and dizziness issues. Hands down, one of the worst poisons I've put in my body."

• MrS...
• September 23, 2016

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "My doctor prescribed this after he decided, out of the blue, that he wasn't comfortable prescribing me Donnatal anymore. Donnatal was a 10/10 in terms of relief and lack of side effects, but Bentyl has been awful. Blurry vision, nausea, coordination problems, flushing of the skin, hot flashes, extreme dry mouth and eyes, and maybe half the time very slight relief from cramping and pain. The negative side effects absolutely outweigh the minimal benefits, especially the added nausea on top of the nausea from my IBS. I'm supposed to take 4 per day, but even 2 per day and the side effects are unbearable. I can't drive after I take this either because of the vision and dizziness issues. Hands down, one of the worst poisons I've put in my body."

• All...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 2, 2017

For Noninfectious Colitis "Have been diagnosed with ulcerative colitis/Crohn's disease for just over a year now. Took dicyclomine from the very beginning. It seems to work pretty well getting rid of the abdominal pain. However, because I am on so many different medicines (10), I cannot say for sure which medicine helped with what or caused whichever side effect. I have experienced nausea, lack of appetite, drowsiness, dizziness, insomnia, dehydration, and severe headaches."

• Dmo...
• September 1, 2021

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "I got prescribed this for abdominal pain. Took the pain away...BUT! I struggle with anxiety and panic attacks, and this medication irritated me a lot. Super dizzy, confused, face feels super hot, worse anxiety."

• Anonymous
• January 20, 2012

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "I really am grateful for my doctor prescribing this for me. I personally only take one when I am having an episode (even though the bottle says something different). I don't like taking pills if I don't need to, and within a few minutes, I'm feeling more relaxed. The only side effect that I seem to have is I get a little 'loopy,' dizzy, and tired as well... but maybe the tiredness is from everything being released from my body. Not sure... I do NOT drive while the medicine is in my body because my judgment and reflexes are a bit slower than normal. When my daughter was a week old, I had an irritable bowel syndrome episode. I took a pill and then I was unable to breastfeed for 24 hours. I just pumped and dumped. Otherwise, I love this."

• bug...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 10, 2021

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "I think, in the end, dicyclomine will save my life. For many, many years, I have been suffering from extreme stomach pain that leaves me unable to think, move, speak, or do anything. The pain was increasing in frequency, and I was crying and screaming in bed multiple times a week. I didn't think anything would ever help. Now I take it as needed when I feel cramping coming on. It usually stops the pain within 10-20 minutes, especially if I 'catch' it early. Sometimes, particularly when traveling, I have to take two, and it can take more time to work, but it almost always does in the end. My stomach pain is often so severe I am sweating and crying in bed wishing I wasn't alive anymore, and that was happening multiple times a week. I do have side effects including light dizziness and dry mouth, but they pale in comparison."

• Bry...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 8, 2020

Dicyclomine for Irritable Bowel Syndrome "Within 20 minutes of taking Bentyl 10 mg, I had blurry vision, dizziness, and depression with suicidal thoughts. Reduced my abdominal pain by about 80%, but the side effects were unbearable."

• Cla...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 4, 2014

Dicyclomine for Irritable Bowel Syndrome "Took away none of the spasms, but I did have all of the side effects: dizzy, tired, and headaches."

• roy...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 24, 2017

Dicyclomine for Irritable Bowel Syndrome "Helped my IBS discomfort. Minimum help in reducing 'bloating,' but helped in reducing colon stress. Caused blurred vision, dizziness, and tiredness as side effects."

• Lou...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 30, 2021

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "This medication did not work for me at all. I was dizzy and sleepy. Didn't work for my IBS."