Bentyl Dosage Guide - Chart | Articles

Doctor Explains Dosage of Bentyl (Dicyclomine) for IBS Treatment

Bentyl (dicyclomine) dosage for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) in capsule form usually starts with 20 mg amounts every 6 hours (q6hr). The dose may be increased to 40 mg q6hr if needed. The maximum daily dose of Bentyl is 80 mg/day, and this limit should not be exceeded for more than 2 weeks. If efficacy is not achieved within 2 weeks or adverse effects require a lower dose, therapy should be discontinued. Tablet form and syrup form also follow the same dosage guidelines. In injectable form, 10-20 mg intramuscularly (IM) is taken every 6 hours and shouldn’t exceed a maximum daily dose of 80mg/day (IM).

Key Takeaways

In all forms of Bentyl (dicyclomine), 80mg/day should not be exceeded.
In capsule, tablet, and syrup form, Bentyl is taken in 20 mg amounts every 6 hours. Dosage may be increased to 40mg if needed. Intramuscularly (IM) amounts usually 10-20 mg amounts are administered every 6 hours and shouldn’t exceed 80mg/day.
Patients 65 years and older should start on lower dosages and work their way into higher dosages. However, there are no strict dosage requirements for those 65 years and older, according to clinical trials.

Bentyl (Dicyclomine) Dosage Chart

Bentyl (dicyclomine) is an anticholinergic drug which blocks the action of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Acetylcholine binds to receptors on the muscles that surround your gut and signals for them to contract. By reducing the action of this neurotransmitter, Bentyl (dicyclomine) helps the muscles in your gut relax. Which is why it's most often used as a medication for those suffering from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Here is the Bentyl (dicyclomine) dosage chart to follow:

Form/Strength	Condition	Dosage	Dosing Considerations	Administration
Capsule (10 mg)	Irritable Bowel Syndrome	Oral (PO): 20 mg q6hr; may increase to 40 mg q6hr. Discontinue if efficacy is not achieved within 2 weeks or if adverse effects require <80 mg/day. Safety not established for doses >80 mg/day for periods >2 weeks.	IM Use: Limit to 1-2 days; switch to PO as soon as possible.	Take 30-60 minutes before a meal.
Injectable Solution (10 mg/mL)		Intramuscular (IM): 10-20 mg q6hr; maximum 80 mg/day IM.	IV Use: Do not use IV.
Syrup (10 mg/5 mL)
Tablet (20 mg)

Tips for Taking Bentyl (dicyclomine)

Here are the top tips for taking Bentyl (dicyclomine):

1. Take 30-60 minutes before meals

Taking Bentyl (dicyclomine) 30 to 60-minutes before meals can help with efficacy and can also help with curbing the negative side effects. Stick to basic, low acidic foods when taking your medication as they can be the easiest to digest for those suffering with IBS (irritable bowel syndrome). Choose foods like chicken, rice, or root vegetables to make a complete meal.

2. Adjust dosage based on efficacy and tolerability

If you’re not noticing any effects from your Bentyl (dicyclomine) prescription (which is usually felt within 60 to 90 minutes of your dosage), you may want to speak with your primary care physician about increasing your dosage from the 20 mg amounts to 40 mg amounts. Always speak to a primary care physician before increasing your dosage.

3. Monitor for side effects

Side effects like dry mouth, dizziness, or blurred vision can be common with anticholinergic medications like Bentyl (dicyclomine).

Common Questions About Bentyl (dicyclomine)

Here are common questions about Bentyl (dicyclomine):

What is the dosage of Bentyl (dicyclomine) for geriatric use (65 and older)?

There are no adjustments to the dosage for those 65 years and older. However, it is recommended to start with lower dosages and increase from there. As well as asking your primary care physician about all of your medications to ensure there is no medication that conflicts with dicyclomine.

According to the FDA study on Bentyl (dicyclomine), “Clinical studies of Bentyl 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, reflecting the greater frequency of decreased hepatic, renal, or cardiac function, and of concomitant disease or other drug therapy.“

Can I take Bentyl (dicyclomine) while pregnant?

No, it is not usually recommended to take Bentyl while pregnant. In an FDA study teratogenic effects were noticed in Bentyl (dicyclomine) in lab rats.

The results are the following, “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 impaired fertility or harm to the fetus due to dicyclomine. Epidemiologic studies in pregnant women with products containing dicyclomine hydrochloride (at doses up to 40 mg/day) have not shown that dicyclomine increases the risk of fetal abnormalities if administered during the first trimester of pregnancy. There are, however, no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women at the recommended doses (80-160 mg/day).”

What are the side effects of Bentyl (dicyclomine)?

Common side effects of Bentyl include:

Dry mouth
Dizziness or light-headedness
Blurred vision
Nausea
Drowsiness
Weakness
Nervousness or agitation
Stuffy nose
Headache
Abdominal bloating
Constipation
Insomnia

More serious side effects can be felt like some of the following. If you’re experiencing any of these, be sure to contact your primary care provider right away:

Skin rash
Hot, dry skin
Difficulty breathing
Difficulty swallowing
Vomiting
Rapid or irregular heartbeats
Large mood changes
Delirium
Hallucinations
Fainting
Unsteadiness
Weakness

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Sources

National Library of Medicine: DailyMed. Label: Bentyl: dicyclomine hydrochloride injection, solution. Retrieved fromhttps://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=c56598d5-9cd1-4cce-b172-ac338775aec7&audience=consumer
Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH). Summary of evidence. In: Dicyclomine for Gastrointestinal Conditions: A Review of the Clinical Effectiveness, Safety, and Guidelines [Internet]. 2024.
Camilleri, M. Diagnosis and treatment of irritable bowel syndrome: a review. JAMA. 2021;325(9):865-877. doi:10.1001/jama.2020.22532
Grad, S., & Dumitrascu, D. L. Irritable bowel syndrome subtypes: new names for old medical conditions. Digestive Diseases. 2020;38(2):122-127. doi:10.1159/000505287
National Library of Medicine: DailyMed. Label: Dicyclomine: dicyclomine hydrochloride tablet. Retrieved fromhttps://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=5a553bda-1e3d-4b80-913f-73dd54655033&audience=consumer.