What is the most important information I should know about glycopyrrolate?
You should not use glycopyrrolate if you have urination problems, a blockage in your stomach or intestines, severe constipation, severe ulcerative colitis or toxic megacolon, glaucoma, or myasthenia gravis.
What is glycopyrrolate?
Glycopyrrolate reduces the secretions of certain organs in the body.
Glycopyrrolate helps to control conditions such as peptic ulcers that involve excessive stomach acid production.
Glycopyrrolate is also used to reduce drooling in children ages 3 to 16 who have certain medical conditions, such as cerebral palsy.
Glycopyrrolate may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking glycopyrrolate?
You should not use glycopyrrolate if you are allergic to it, or if you have:
- a bladder obstruction or other urination problems;
- a blockage in your digestive tract (stomach or intestines), severe constipation;
- severe ulcerative colitis or toxic megacolon;
- eye problems;
- glaucoma; or
- myasthenia gravis.
To make sure glycopyrrolate is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:
- liver or kidney disease;
- heart disease, a heart rhythm disorder;
- high blood pressure;
- a stomach disorder such as hiatal hernia, reflux disease, or slow digestion;
- a colostomy or ileostomy;
- a thyroid disorder; or
- a nerve disorder.
It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
It is not known whether glycopyrrolate passes into breast milk or if it could affect the nursing baby. This medicine can slow breast milk production. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding.
Do not give glycopyrrolate to a child without medical advice.
How should I take glycopyrrolate?
Follow all directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Do not use this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
You may need to take glycopyrrolate on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal. Follow the instructions provided with your medicine.
Measure liquid medicine with the dosing syringe provided, or with a special dose-measuring spoon or medicine cup. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
Overdose symptoms may include severe muscle weakness, dilated pupils, jerky muscle movements, or seizure (convulsions).
What should I avoid while taking glycopyrrolate?
This medication may cause blurred vision and may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert and able to see clearly.
Drinking alcohol with this medicine can cause side effects.
Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise and in hot weather. Glycopyrrolate can decrease sweating and you may be more prone to heat stroke.
What are the possible side effects of glycopyrrolate?
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using glycopyrrolate and call your doctor at once if you have:
- severe constipation, severe stomach pain and bloating;
- diarrhea (especially if you have a colostomy or ileostomy);
- painful or difficult urination;
- fast or pounding heartbeats, fluttering in your chest;
- confusion, severe drowsiness;
- fever, shallow breathing, weak pulse, hot and red skin; or
- (in a child taking glycopyrrolate) dry diapers, fussiness, or excessive crying.
Common side effects may include:
- constipation, nausea, vomiting, bloating;
- drowsiness, dizziness, weakness;
- sleep problems (insomnia);
- blurred vision;
- dry mouth, stuffy nose;
- decreased sweating;
- flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling);
- headache; or
- rash.
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.
What other drugs will affect glycopyrrolate?
Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medications at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you take, which may increase side effects or make the medications less effective.
Other drugs may interact with glycopyrrolate, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.
Where can I get more information?
Your pharmacist can provide more information about glycopyrrolate.
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 1996-2018 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 4.01. Revision date: 9/6/2017.
