GLYCOPYRROLATE

Brand & Generic Names

Robinul

Robinul Forte

Basic Information

• Habit forming? No
• Prescription needed? Yes
• Available as generic? Yes
• Drug class: Antispasmodic, anticholinergic

Uses

• Reduces spasms of digestive system.
• Reduces production of saliva during dental procedures.

Dosage & Usage Information

How to take:
Tablet--Swallow with liquid. If you can't swallow whole, crumble tablet and take with small amount of liquid or food.

When to take:
30 minutes before meals (unless directed otherwise by doctor).

If you forget a dose:
Wait for next scheduled dose (don't double this dose).

What drug does:
Blocks nerve impulses at parasympathetic nerve endings, preventing smooth (involuntary) muscle contractions and gland secretions of organs involved.

Time lapse before drug works:
15 to 30 minutes.

Don't take with:
Any other medicine without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.

Overdose

SYMPTOMS:
Dry mouth, blurred vision, low blood pressure, decreased breathing rate, rapid heartbeat, flushed skin, drowsiness.

WHAT TO DO:

• Dial 911 (emergency) or O (operator) for an ambulance or medical help. Then give first aid immediately.
• See EMERGENCY Information.

Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects

Life-threatening:

Hives, rash, intense Seek emergency itching, faintness treatment immediately. soon after a dose (anaphylaxis).

Common:

Dry mouth, loss of taste, constipation, difficult urination.

Infrequent:

• Confusion; dizziness; drowsiness; eye pain; headache; rash; sleep disturbance such as nightmares, frequent waking; nausea; vomiting; rapid heartbeat; lightheadedness.
• Insomnia, blurred vision, diminished sex drive, decreased sweating, nasal congestion, altered taste.

Rare:

Rash, hives.

Warnings & Precautions

Don't take if:

• You are allergic to any anticholinergic.
• You have trouble with stomach bloating.
• You have difficulty emptying your bladder completely.
• You have narrow-angle glaucoma.
• You have severe ulcerative colitis.

Before you start, consult your doctor:

• If you have open-angle glaucoma.
• If you have angina, chronic bronchitis or asthma, liver disease, hiatal hernia, enlarged prostate, myasthenia gravis, peptic ulcer, kidney or thyroid disease.
• If you will have surgery within 2 months, including dental surgery, requiring general or spinal anesthesia.

Over age 60:
Adverse reactions and side effects may be more frequent and severe than in younger persons.

Pregnancy:
Studies inconclusive on harm to unborn child. Animal studies show fetal abnormalities. Decide with your doctor whether drug benefits justify risk to unborn child.

Breast-feeding:
Drug passes into milk and decreases milk flow. Avoid drug or discontinue nursing until you finish medicine. Consult doctor for advice on maintaining milk supply.

Infants & children:
Use only under medical supervision.

Prolonged use:
Chronic constipation, possible fecal impaction. Consult doctor immediately.

Skin & sunlight:
No problems expected.

Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
Use disqualifies you for piloting aircraft. Otherwise, no problems expected.

Discontinuing:
May be unnecessary to finish medicine. Follow doctor's instructions.

Others:

• Heatstroke more likely if you become overheated during exertion.
• Advise any doctor or dentist whom you consult that you take this medicine.

Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

GENERIC NAME	COMBINED EFFECT
------------------------	-----------------------
Antacids*	Decreased glycopyrrolate absorption
	effect.
Amantadine	Increased glycopyrrolate effect.
Anticholinergics,	Increased
other*	glycopyrrolate effect.
Antidepressants,	Increased
tricyclics (TCA)*	glycopyrrolate effect.
Antidiarrheals*	Decreased glycopyrrolate absorption
	effect.
Attapulgite	Decreased effect of anticholinergic.
Buclizine	Increased glycopyrrolate effect.
Cortisone drugs*	Increased internal-eye pressure.
Digitalis	Possible decreased absorption of
	digitalis.
Haloperidol	Increased internal-eye pressure.
Ketoconazole	Decreased ketoconazole effect.
MAO inhibitors*	Increased glycopyrrolate effect.
Meperidine	Increased glycopyrrolate effect.
Methylphenidate	Increased glycopyrrolate effect.
Molindone	Increased anticholinergic effect.
Orphenadrine	Increased glycopyrrolate effect.
Phenothiazines*	Increased glycopyrrolate effect.
Pilocarpine	Increased glycopyrrolate effect.
	Loss of pilocarpine effect in
	glaucoma treatment.
Potassium chloride	Increased side effects
tabs	of potassium tablets.
Quinidine	Increased glycopyrrolate effect.
Retocunazole	Decreased absorption of both.
Sedatives* or central	Increased sedative effect
nervous system (CNS)	of both drugs.
Vitamin C	Increased glycopyrrolate effect.
	Avoid large vitamin C doses.

Possible Interaction with Other Substances

INTERACTS WITH	COMBINED EFFECT
---------------	---------------
Alcohol:	None expected.
Beverages:	None expected.
Cocaine:	Excessively rapid heartbeat. Avoid.
Foods:	None expected.
Marijuana:	Drowsiness and dry mouth.
Tobacco:	None expected.