What is Pro-Banthine (Propantheline)?

Propantheline reduces the secretions of certain organs in the body, such as the stomach.
Propantheline is used to reduce stomach acid in people with stomach ulcers.
Propantheline may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about Pro-Banthine (Propantheline)?

You should not take this medication if you are allergic to propantheline, or if you have glaucoma, myasthenia gravis, a blockage in your stomach or intestines, severe ulcerative colitis, an enlarged prostate, or if you are unable to urinate.
Before taking propantheline, tell your doctor if you have heart disease, congestive heart failure, a heart rhythm disorder, high blood pressure, hiatal hernia, GERD, liver disease, or thyroid problems. .
Before using propantheline, tell your doctor if you regularly use other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold or allergy medicine, sedatives, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression, or anxiety). They can add to sleepiness caused by propantheline.
Propantheline slows the digestive tract, which can make it harder for your body to absorb any medicines you take by mouth. Tell your doctor if any of your oral medications do not seem to work as well while you are using propantheline.
There are many other medicines that can interact with propantheline. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors.
Propantheline can cause side effects that may impair your vision, thinking, or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert and able to see clearly.
Avoid drinking alcohol. It can increase some of the side effects of propantheline.
Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise and in hot weather. Propantheline can decrease perspiration and you may be more prone to heat stroke.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Pro-Banthine (Propantheline)?

You should not take this medication if you are allergic to propantheline, or if you have:

• a blockage in your stomach or intestines
• a bladder obstruction or if you are unable to urinate
• severe ulcerative colitis or toxic megacolon
• glaucoma; or
• myasthenia gravis

If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use this medication:

• heart disease, congestive heart failure, or a heart rhythm disorder
• high blood pressure
• hiatal hernia or reflux esophagitis (GERD)
• liver disease
• kidney disease
• thyroid problems; or
• enlarged prostate

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether this medication is harmful to an unborn baby. Before using propantheline, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether propantheline passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of propantheline.

Pro-Banthine Side Effects

What are the possible side effects of Pro-Banthine (Propantheline)?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using propantheline and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:
* fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeats
* warmth, redness, or tingly feeling under your skin
* hot, dry skin with no sweating
* eye pain or redness, seeing halos around lights
* blurred vision and increased sensitivity to light
* confusion, agitation, extreme fear, hallucinations, unusual thoughts or behavior; or
* urinating less than usual or not at all
Less serious side effects may include:
* drowsiness, dizziness
* headache or feeling nervous
* nausea, vomiting, bloating, constipation
* decreased sense of taste
* dry mouth, stuffy nose; or
* sleep problems (insomnia)
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.

Pro-Banthine Interactions

What other drugs affect Pro-Banthine (Propantheline)?

Before using propantheline, tell your doctor if you regularly use other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold or allergy medicine, sedatives, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression, or anxiety). They can add to sleepiness caused by propantheline.
Propantheline slows the digestive tract, which can make it harder for your body to absorb any medicines you take by mouth. Tell your doctor if any of your oral medications do not seem to work as well while you are using propantheline.
Many drugs can interact with propantheline. Below is just a partial list. Tell your doctor if you are using:

• atropine (Atreza, Sal-Tropine), belladonna (Donnatal, and others), benztropine (Cogentin), dimenhydrinate (Dramamine), methscopolamine (Pamine), or scopolamine (Transderm-Scop)
• bronchodilators such as ipratropium (Atrovent) or tiotropium (Spiriva)
• glycopyrrolate (Robinul)
• mepenzolate (Cantil)
• narcotic pain medications such as meperidine (Demerol)
• an antidepressant such as amitriptyline (Elavil, Etrafon), desipramine (Norpramin), doxepin (Sinequan), imipramine (Janimine, Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), and others
• bladder or urinary medications such as darifenacin (Enablex), flavoxate (Urispas), oxybutynin (Ditropan, Oxytrol), tolterodine (Detrol), or solifenacin (Vesicare)
• a heart rhythm medication such as disopyramide (Norpace), quinidine (Quin-G), procainamide (Procan, Procanbid, Pronestyl), and others
• irritable bowel medications such as dicyclomine (Bentyl) or hyoscyamine (Anaspaz, Cystospaz, Levsin, and others)
• medicines to treat psychiatric disorders, such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), fluphenazine (Permitil, Prolixin), prochlorperazine (Compazine, Compro), promethazine (Pentazine, Phenergan), thioridazine (Mellaril), and others; or
• steroid medication such as prednisone and others

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with propantheline. 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 Pro-Banthine (Propantheline)?

Propantheline can cause side effects that may impair your vision, thinking, or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert and able to see clearly.
Avoid drinking alcohol. It can increase some of the side effects of propantheline.
Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise and in hot weather. Propantheline can decrease perspiration and you may be more prone to heat stroke.

Pro-Banthine Dosage

How should I take Pro-Banthine (Propantheline)?
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 this medication with a full glass of water.
Propantheline is usually taken three or four times a day, 30 minutes before meals and at bedtime. Follow your doctor’s instructions.
Store propantheline at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I overdose on Pro-Banthine (Propantheline)?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
Overdose symptoms may include feeling restless or excited, redness or tingling under your skin, confusion, unusual behavior, trouble breathing, feeling like you might pass out, muscle weakness, or paralysis.
What happens if I miss a dose of Pro-Banthine (Propantheline)?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Sourced from everydayhealth.com