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# Dicycloverine

An oral antispasmodic for the cramping pain of irritable bowel syndrome. It blocks muscarinic receptors and relaxes gut muscle directly.

Updated 2026-11-01

- Class: [Antimuscarinics (anticholinergics)](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/antimuscarinics/)
- Receptor: Muscarinic acetylcholine receptors of gut smooth muscle
- ATC code: A03AA07

Also called: Dicyclomine

◎**Muscarinic acetylcholine receptors of gut smooth muscle**Dicycloverine

ⓘ No structure of dicycloverine bound to a muscarinic receptor exists. The figure shows atropine in the acetylcholine (orthosteric) pocket of the human M1 muscarinic receptor, the same pocket that dicycloverine blocks.

**Target in 3D:** Muscarinic acetylcholine receptors of gut smooth muscle. PDB structure 9JEA (RCSB PDB, public domain). [View the structure at RCSB PDB](https://www.rcsb.org/structure/9JEA) · Drag to rotate · pinch to zoom

## Mechanism of action

Dicycloverine relieves spasm of intestinal smooth muscle in two ways: it blocks muscarinic receptors (weaker than atropine) and it relaxes the muscle directly, independent of acetylcholine. It is a tertiary amine, so it can reach the brain and cause dizziness, drowsiness and, in sensitive people, confusion.

- Blocks muscarinic receptors on gut smooth muscle
- Also relaxes the muscle directly
- Bowel spasm and cramps ease

## Pharmacokinetics

**Absorption**
Rapidly absorbed by mouth, peaking within about 60 to 90 minutes

**Distribution**
Widely distributed into tissues

**Elimination**
Mainly in the urine

**Half-life**
About 1.8 hours in one study, with a longer secondary phase

## Indications

- Functional bowel / irritable bowel syndrome [Irritable bowel syndrome →](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/irritable-bowel-syndrome/)

## Adverse effects

### Common

- Dizziness and drowsiness
- Dry mouth
- Blurred vision
- Nausea, weakness and nervousness

### Serious (rare, important)

- Psychosis and delirium in sensitive people such as older adults
- Heat stroke from reduced sweating
- Colonic pseudo-obstruction or toxic megacolon
- Serious breathing problems, seizures and collapse in infants

## Contraindications

- Infants under 6 months and breastfeeding mothers
- Glaucoma
- Obstructive uropathy and obstruction of the gut
- Severe ulcerative colitis and reflux oesophagitis
- Myasthenia gravis
- Unstable cardiovascular status in acute bleeding

## Key interactions

**Other drugs with anticholinergic effects (tricyclics, antihistamines, phenothiazines, amantadine)**
Additive side effects

**Antacids**
May reduce its absorption; taken apart

**Slowly dissolving digoxin tablets**
Higher digoxin levels

**Metoclopramide**
Opposite effects on gut motility

## What is monitored

- Mental status in older adults
- Bowel function: new diarrhoea in a person with a stoma may mean partial obstruction
- Urine output in men with prostate enlargement

## Administration and safety

- Taken by mouth; stopped if there is no benefit within the first couple of weeks
- Avoided in hot environments where sweating is needed

## Nursing care

- Warn about drowsiness and blurred vision when driving
- Teach to avoid overheating
- Ask about breastfeeding and keep it away from infants

## Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Epidemiological studies have not shown more malformations; it is contraindicated during breastfeeding.

## Memory aid

DICYCLOverine has a «double cycle» of action: blocks the receptor and relaxes the muscle itself.

## Test yourself

Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.

## What are the two ways dicycloverine relaxes gut muscle?

Muscarinic receptor block and a direct relaxant effect on smooth muscle.

## Why is it contraindicated in infants under 6 months?

Serious breathing problems, seizures and collapse have been reported in infants.

## Which neuromuscular disease is a contraindication?

Myasthenia gravis.

[Add to my cards (3)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/pharmacology/dicycloverine/)

## Related drugs

- [Hyoscine butylbromide](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/hyoscine-butylbromide/)
- [Atropine](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/atropine/)

## Related conditions

- [Irritable bowel syndrome](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/irritable-bowel-syndrome/)

[← Back to the class: Antimuscarinics (anticholinergics)](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/antimuscarinics/)

Educational content on how drugs work; not a prescribing guide and no substitute for a health professional's advice. No doses are given.

Sources: [DailyMed - DICYCLOMINE HYDROCHLORIDE capsule](https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=708bcd61-8737-40fa-8970-08fc0f719f83) (DailyMed (U.S. National Library of Medicine), 2026); [Dicyclomine: MedlinePlus Drug Information](https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a684007.html) (MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine), 2026); [ATCDDD - ATC/DDD Index](https://atcddd.fhi.no/atc_ddd_index/?code=A03AA07) (WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology, 2026).

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Representative model, for educational purposes only.

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