What is Bellatal (Atropine/Hyoscyamine/Pb/Scopolamine)?
Phenobarbital is in a group of drugs called barbiturates (bar-BIT-chur-ates). Phenobarbital slows the activity of your brain and nervous system.
Belladonna alkaloids produce many effects in the body, including reduced muscle spasms in the digestive or urinary tract, and reduced fluid secretions from certain glands or organs.
The belladonna alkaloids included in this medication include atropine, hyoscyamine, and scopolamine.
The combination of belladonna alkaloids and phenobarbital is used to treat irritable bowel syndrome and ulcers in the intestine.
Belladonna alkaloids and phenobarbital may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about Bellatal (Atropine/Hyoscyamine/Pb/Scopolamine)?
Phenobarbital may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. This medication should never be shared with another person, especially someone who has a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a secure place where others cannot get to it.
Do not take this medication together with a potassium supplement unless your doctor has told you to.
Tell your doctor if you regularly use other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold or allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression, or anxiety). They can add to sleepiness caused by belladonna alkaloids and phenobarbital.
This medication can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.
Avoid drinking alcohol while taking this medication or you could have increased dizziness and drowsiness.
Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise and in hot weather. Belladonna alkaloids and phenobarbital can decrease perspiration and you may be more prone to heat stroke.
Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Bellatal (Atropine/Hyoscyamine/Pb/Scopolamine)?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to atropine, hyoscyamine, scopolamine, or phenobarbital. You may not be able use this medication if you have:
- enlarged prostate, urination problems
- a blockage in your intestines or digestive tract
- a stomach condition called paralytic ileus
- active bleeding
- severe ulcerative colitis or toxic megacolon
- a muscle disorder called myasthenia gravis
- a hiatal hernia or reflux disease; or
- porphyria
Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs or if you have:
- a colostomy or ileostomy
- liver disease
- kidney disease
- glaucoma
- a thyroid disorder
- heart disease, high blood pressure, congestive heart failure
- a heart rhythm disorder; or
- ulcerative colitis or stomach ulcer
If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to take belladonna alkaloids and phenobarbital, or you may need a dose adjustment or special tests during treatment.
FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether this medication passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. However, belladonna alkaloids and phenobarbital can slow breast milk production. Do not take this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Do not give this medication to a child without the advice of a doctor.
Older adults may be more likely to have side effects such as constipation, dry mouth, problems with urination, agitation, confusion, or severe memory problems.
Bellatal Side Effects
What are the possible side effects of Bellatal (Atropine/Hyoscyamine/Pb/Scopolamine)?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using this medication and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
- diarrhea
- painful or difficult urination
- fast or pounding heartbeats
- blurred vision with eye pain, or seeing halos around lights
- feeling like you might pass out; or
- mouth sores, red or bleeding gums, or tooth decay (with long-term use)
Less serious side effects may include:
- drowsiness
- blurred vision, increased sensitivity to light
- dry mouth
- decreased taste sensation
- decreased sweating or urination
- headache, dizziness, weakness
- sleep problems (insomnia)
- nausea, vomiting, constipation, bloating
- feeling restless or excited; or
- impotence, loss of interest in sex, or trouble having an orgasm
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Bellatal Interactions
What other drugs affect Bellatal (Atropine/Hyoscyamine/Pb/Scopolamine)?
The following drugs can interact with belladonna alkaloids and phenobarbital. Tell your doctor if you are using any of these:
- a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin)
- ketoconazole (Nizoral)
- an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate)
- atropine (Donnatal, and others), benztropine (Cogentin), dimenhydrinate (Dramamine), methscopolamine (Pamine), or scopolamine (Transderm-Scop)
- bronchodilators such as ipratroprium (Atrovent) or tiotropium (Spiriva)
- glycopyrrolate (Robinul)
- mepenzolate (Cantil)
- bladder or urinary medications such as darifenacin (Enablex), flavoxate (Urispas), oxybutynin (Ditropan, Oxytrol), tolterodine (Detrol), or solifenacin (Vesicare); or
- irritable bowel medications such as dicyclomine (Bentyl), hyoscyamine (Anaspaz, Cystospaz, Levsin, and others), or propantheline (Pro-Banthine)
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with belladonna alkaloids and phenobarbital. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.
What should I avoid while taking Bellatal (Atropine/Hyoscyamine/Pb/Scopolamine)?
Do not take this medication together with a potassium supplement unless your doctor has told you to.
Tell your doctor if you regularly use other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold or allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression, or anxiety). They can add to sleepiness caused by belladonna alkaloids and phenobarbital.
This medication can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.
Avoid drinking alcohol while taking this medication or you could have increased dizziness and drowsiness.
Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise and in hot weather. Belladonna alkaloids and phenobarbital can decrease perspiration and you may be more prone to heat stroke.
Bellatal Dosage
How should I take Bellatal (Atropine/Hyoscyamine/Pb/Scopolamine)?
Take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take it in larger amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
Take the medicine with a full glass of water.
Measure liquid medicine with a special dose-measuring spoon or cup, not a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.
Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse.
This medication can cause you to have unusual results with certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using belladonna alkaloids and phenobarbital.
Store belladonna alkaloids and phenobarbital at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Keep track of how much of this medicine has been used from each new bottle. Phenobarbital is a drug of abuse and you should be aware if any person in the household is using this medicine improperly or without a prescription.
What happens if I overdose on Bellatal (Atropine/Hyoscyamine/Pb/Scopolamine)?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.
Overdose symptoms may include headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, blurred vision, hot or dry skin, trouble swallowing, feeling excited or agitated,
What happens if I miss a dose of Bellatal (Atropine/Hyoscyamine/Pb/Scopolamine)?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.
Edited from everydayhealth.com