bentyl
What is Bentyl?
Bentyl (dicyclomine) is an anti-spasmodic drug which relaxes the muscle in the wall of the gut.
What symptoms does it treat?
Bentyl is used to reduce the intestinal contraction of an irritable bowel, and therefore reduce pain and diarrhea.
How is it taken?
It is taken as tablets, or a syrup form is also available.
REVIEWS OF BENTYL
Review by Jafafa 
I was prescribed Bentyl a few years ago by my PCP, who said it was for diarrhea, though a subsequent PCP said it's really just for cramps. I have taken it for cramps and diarrhea, and I have to say I have never noticed any effect whatsoever, nor any side effects. Seems totally useless...I still take it when I remember to thinking that perhaps it made those particular attacks less severe than they would have been otherwise, but overall I have seen no noticeable effect.
Review by Joe
This medicine does not work for me. In fact my IBS symptoms have not gone away at all, and I'm still running to the bathroom all the time. All I'm feeling is the side effects, and not the relief I should be feeling.
Review by Jennifer 
Bentyl seems to help my stomach but it has bad side effects. I have problems trying to sleep and eat and I'm always thirsty. My pupils get really big also. I still take it because it's better than being sick to my stomach all the time. I used to take Levbid and it works great but the company stopped making the product.
Review by Erin 
Amazing! I couldn't thank my doctor enough for putting me on Bentyl. It has given me immense relief from the stomach cramping that was leaving me unable to do so many things. Being a mom and military wife, I cannot be down and out due to my IBS...Bentyl has made it possible for me to go back to the family activities I had been forced to give up on. I can go to my kids' baseball and soccer games again without fear and anguish!
Review by Brandy
I have on/off bouts of what is diagnosed as IBS (stomach cramping and aches and indigestion with either constipation or diarrhea). The urgent care doc gave me a script for Bentyl and said it would help move things along. The good thing is, it stops the aching that makes you want to roll up in a ball. I switch between this and Levsin for relief. It does dry you out and make you pretty tired, but sometimes it's worth the side effects to feel better.
Review by Amber
I think Bentyl is the best medicine ever made! My life was a mess before - I even ended up in the hospital. I would get such severe attacks of diarrhea that I couldn't handle it. I couldn't even go out to eat anymore. Now I just take Bentyl half an hour before I eat, usually twice a day, and I'm fine. Before I could never have eaten at a buffet, or at a restaurant more than five minutes from home. If I forget to take it, look out - there better be a bathroom close by. Bentyl has been a lifesaver for me. I can't believe how much of a difference it has made. Thanks Bentyl.
Review by Barbara
I've been on Bentyl now for several years. It has really helped reduce the number of painful stomach attacks. I take two capsules twice a day, but when I feel the stomach pain coming on I increase the dosage and it usually seems to work. Before, I could look forward to full-blown stomach attacks several times a year, but now they are very rare. It also seems to lessen the severity of the attacks that I do still get.
Review by Jennifer 
Bentyl has really helped my IBS. I take it four times a day and it's made the tummy pain much easier to handle. I do find that when I miss a dose I can tell within two hours as the pain is back full force. It does seem to make the bathroom trips a little less frequent....instead of going five times an hour, I'm down to three or so an hour. I've had IBS for 10 years and I'll take any help I can get!
Review by Julie
Bentyl definitely helps with the terrible pain associated with attacks. It relaxes your tummy so you don't have the stabbing, aching pain quite so bad. But it doesn't prevent attacks or make the IBS symptoms go away, it just helps once they have gotten out of control. Also, if you take it before a meal, I have noticed that it helps keep me from getting a stomach ache from eating.
For me, the drawback of taking Bentyl is the side effects. It makes me really sleepy, dizzy, and feel really weird! I can't take it when I go to work, when I drive, or when I go out. I only take it when I am going to be at home. I had tried Levsin but that did nothing for me.
Do you suffer from IBS? Have you tried Bentyl? Please send in your review.