Belladonna, Oral

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: antispasmodic; anticholinergic

Generic and brand names: belladonna, oral; Belladonna Tincture

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is taken by mouth to relieve cramps in your stomach, intestines, and bladder.

It may also be used to treat peptic (stomach) ulcers, motion sickness, the tremors and muscle stiffness of Parkinson's disease, or reduce saliva or fluid in the windpipe.

This medicine may be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• a blockage in your intestines or urinary tract
• an allergic reaction to any medicine
• an enlarged prostate or trouble urinating
• thyroid problems
• asthma or COPD
• gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or esophagitis (trouble swallowing)
• glaucoma
• heart problem such as heart failure, fast heart beat
• irregular or fast heart beat
• kidney or liver disease
• muscle diseases such as myasthenia gravis
• nerve problems from diabetes, alcohol abuse, or injury
• severe ulcerative colitis.

Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine with harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

How do I take it?

Take this medicine exactly as prescribed. Do not take more than directed because increasing the dosage increases the risk of side effects.

This medicine works best when taken 30 to 60 minutes before meals. Take this medicine 2 hours before or 2 hours after you take an antacid.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.

What should I watch out for?

Contact your healthcare provider if your condition does not improve or if it gets worse. Keep appointments for follow up visits.

Dry mouth is a common side effect of this medicine. If it becomes bothersome, tell your healthcare provider.

This medicine may cause blurred vision, dizziness, or drowsiness. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert and able to see clearly. You may feel dizzy or faint when you get up quickly after sitting or lying down. Getting up slowly may help.

This medicine increases the risk of heat stroke because it reduces sweating. Avoid extreme heat, saunas, hot tubs, and exercising too much.

This medicine may make your eyes more sensitive to light. Wear sunglasses to help protect your eyes.

This medicine increases the effects of alcohol and other medicines that slow down the nervous system. Do not drink alcohol or take other medicines that make you drowsy unless your healthcare provider approves.

Adults over the age of 65 may be at greater risk for side effects such as nervousness or drowsiness. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat) or seizures.

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Severe vision problems or eye pain, confusion, clumsiness, trouble walking or keeping your balance, memory loss, fast heartbeat, slurred speech, hallucinations, muscle weakness, severe diarrhea, trouble urinating, high or low blood pressure.

Important: The above symptoms are also signs of overdose. If you think you have taken an overdose, get medical help right away.

Other: Constipation, dry mouth, dry skin, decreased sweating, nausea, vomiting, change in sense of taste, stuffy nose, restlessness, dizziness, headache, dilated pupils, change in sexual ability or desire.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• amantadine (Symmetrel)
• antacids such as Maalox or Mylanta (Take at least 2 hours apart from this medicine.)
• antihistamines in many cold and allergy medicines such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl), chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton); and in motion sickness medicines such as meclizine (Antivert, Dramamine Less Drowsy)
• decongestants and appetite suppressants such as phenylpropanolamine (Dexatrim), phenylephrine (Neo-Synephrine), and pseudoephedrine (Sudafed)
• hydroxyzine (Atarax)
• medicines to treat Parkinson's disease such as levodopa/carbidopa (Sinemet)
• narcotic painkillers such as morphine (MS Contin, Oramorph SR, Roxanol), meperidine (Demerol), codeine, hydromorphone (Dilaudid), and oxycodone (Percocet)
• phenothiazines such as chlorpromazine (Stelazine), fluphenazine (Prolixin), perphenazine, prochlorperazine (Compazine), promazine (Sparine), thioridazine, and trifluoperazine (Stelazine)
• tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline, nortriptyline (Aventyl, Pamelor), imipramine (Tofranil), desipramine (Norpramin), and doxepin (Sinequan).

Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, nonprescription, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins) with you. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.