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Generic Name: propantheline (proe PAN the leen)
Brand Names: Pro-Banthine

What is propantheline?

Propantheline reduces the secretions of certain organs in the body.

Propantheline helps to control conditions such as peptic ulcers that involve excessive stomach acid production.

Although not approved by the FDA for these purposes, propantheline has been used to treat other conditions involving spasms or excessive secretion.

Propantheline may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about propantheline?

Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Propantheline may cause dizziness, drowsiness, or blurred vision. If you experience dizziness, drowsiness or blurred vision, avoid these activities. Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while you are taking propantheline.

Avoid becoming overheated in hot weather. Propantheline increases the risk of heat stroke because it decreases sweating.

Who should not take propantheline?

Do not take propantheline if you have

• kidney disease;

• a blockage of your urinary tract (difficulty urinating);

• a blockage in your intestines, severe ulcerative colitis, or ulcerative colitis complicated by toxic megacolon;

• glaucoma; or

• myasthenia gravis.

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have

• numbness or tingling in your hands or feet;

• liver disease;

• ulcerative colitis;

• thyroid problems;

• high blood pressure, an irregular heart beat, or any type of heart disease;

• hiatal hernia or reflux esophagitis;

• enlargement of the prostate; or

• asthma, chronic lung disease, or allergies.

You may not be able to take propantheline or you may need a lower dose or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

It is not known whether propantheline will harm an unborn baby. Do not take propantheline without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant. It is not known whether propantheline passes into breast milk. Do not take propantheline without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take propantheline?

Take propantheline exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

Take each dose 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 miss a dose?

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 your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention.

Symptoms of a propantheline overdose include headache, nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, difficulty swallowing, blurred vision, dilated pupils, hot, dry skin, dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, anxiety, seizures, weak pulse, and an irregular heartbeat.

What should I avoid while taking propantheline?

Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Propantheline may cause dizziness, drowsiness, or blurred vision. If you experience dizziness, drowsiness, or blurred vision, avoid these activities. Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while you are taking propantheline.

Avoid becoming overheated in hot weather. Propantheline increases the risk of heat stroke because it decreases sweating.

Propantheline side effects

If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking propantheline and seek emergency medical attention:

• an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives);

• an irregular or fast heart rate;

• skin rash or flushing; or

• eye pain.

Other less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take propantheline and talk to your doctor if you experience

• headache, dizziness, or lightheadedness;

• weakness or nervousness;

• blurred vision, large pupils, or sensitivity of the eyes to bright light;

• nausea, bloating, heartburn, or constipation;

• changes in taste;

• difficulty urinating;

• decreased sweating; or

• nasal congestion, stuffiness, or a dry mouth.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect propantheline?

Many other drugs may increase the side effects of propantheline. Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:

• amantadine (Symmetrel);

• quinidine (Quinaglute, Cardioquin, Quinora, Quinidex);

• antihistamines such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl, many others), brompheniramine (Dimetapp, Bromfed, many others), triprolidine (Actifed, others), and chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton, others), which are found in many over-the-counter and prescription cough, cold and allergy medications;

• decongestants and appetite suppressants such as phenylpropanolamine (Dexatrim, others), phenylephrine (Neo-Synephrine, others), and pseudoephedrine (Sudafed, others), which are also found in many over-the-counter and prescription products;

• phenothiazines such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine) and prochlorperazine (Compazine);
• other commonly used phenothiazines, including fluphenazine (Prolixin), mesoridazine (Serentil), perphenazine (Trilafon), thioridazine (Mellaril), trifluoperazine (Stelazine), and promazine (Sparine);
• tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil, Endep), doxepin (Sinequan), and nortriptyline (Pamelor); and
• other commonly used tricyclic antidepressants, including amoxapine (Asendin), clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), imipramine (Tofranil), protriptyline (Vivactil), and trimipramine (Surmontil).

Propantheline may increase the level of digoxin (Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps) in your blood. Tell your doctor if you are taking digoxin so that the level of digoxin in your blood can be monitored and changes in your dosage can be made if necessary.

Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with propantheline. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist has more information about propantheline written for health professionals that you may read.

What does my medication look like?

Propantheline is available with a prescription under the brand name Pro-Banthine. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.

• Pro-Banthine 7.5 mg--round, white, sugar-coated tablets

• Pro-Banthine 15 mg--round, peach-colored, sugar-coated tablets

• Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
• Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2006 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 3.03. Revision Date: 2/13/04 4:00:02 PM.