Religan

Uses

Dicycloverine is used for:

• Functional bowel/ irritable bowel syndrome
• Urinary incontinence secondary to unstable detrusor muscle
• Infantile colic
• GIT spasm
• Colicky abdominal pain
• Diverticulitis
• Abdominal colic

Religan is also used to associated treatment for these conditions: Functional bowel syndrome, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Gastrointestinal cramps caused by Gas

How Religan works

Religan achieves its action partially through direct antimuscarinic activity of the M1, M3, and M2 receptors; and partially through antagonism of bradykinin and histamine. Religan non-competitively inhibits the action of bradykinin and histamine, resulting in direct action on the smooth muscle, and decreased strength of contractions seen in spasms of the ileum.

Dosage

Religan dosage

Oral dosage forms-

• Adults:10 to 20 mg three times a day.
• Children >6 months of age: 5 to 10 mg three times a day.
• Children <6 months of age: Dose must be determined by the doctor.

Oral dicycloverine Hydrochloride should be started as soon as possible

Intramuscular dosage form

• Adults:Intramuscular injection. Not for intravenous use. The recommended intramuscular dose is 80 mg daily (in 4 equally divided doses).

Intramuscular dosage form should not be used for periods longer than 1 or 2 days.

Side Effects

Insomnia, mydriasis, cycloplegia, increased ocular tension, urinary hesitancy, palpitations, dyspnea.

Toxicity

Patients experiencing an overdose may present with headache, nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, dilated pupils, dizziness, dry mouth, difficulty swallowing, CNS stimulation, as well as hot, dry skin. Treat patients with gastric lavage, emetics, activated charcoal, sedatives for excitement, and a cholinergic agent if indicated.

The oral LD₅₀ in mice is 625mg/kg.

Precaution

Use with caution in patients with autonomic neuropathy, hepatic or renal disease, ulcerative colitis, coronary heart disease, congestive heart failure, cardiac tachyarrhythmia, known or suspected prostatic hypertrophy.

Interaction

The following agents may increase certain actions or side-effects of Dicycloverine-antiarrhythmic agents, antihistamines, antipsychotic agents, benzodiazepines, MAO inhibitors, narcotic analgesics, nitrates and nitrites, sympathomimetic agents, tricyclic antidepressants and other drugs having anticholinergic activity.

Food Interaction

• Avoid alcohol. Alcohol may increase drowsiness caused by dicyclomine.
• Drink plenty of fluids. Religan may reduce sweating, increasing the risk of overheating in warm weather or during exercise.

Religan Alcohol interaction

[Moderate] GENERALLY AVOID:

Use of anticholinergic agents with alcohol may result in sufficient impairment of attention so as to render driving and operating machinery more hazardous.

In addition, the potential for abuse may be increased with the combination.

The mechanism of interaction is not established but may involve additive depressant effects on the central nervous system.

No effect of oral propantheline or atropine on blood alcohol levels was observed in healthy volunteers when administered before ingestion of a standard ethanol load.

However, one study found impairment of attention in subjects given atropine 0.5 mg or glycopyrrolate 1 mg in combination with alcohol.

Alcohol should generally be avoided during therapy with anticholinergic agents.

Patients should be counseled to avoid activities requiring mental alertness until they know how these agents affect them.

Religan Hypertension interaction

[Minor] Cardiovascular effects of anticholinergics may exacerbate hypertension.

Therapy with anticholinergic agents should be administered cautiously in patients with hypertension.

Religan Drug Interaction

Moderate: diphenhydramine, diphenhydramineMinor: acetaminophen, acetaminophenUnknown: duloxetine, duloxetine, omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, pregabalin, pregabalin, cyanocobalamin, cyanocobalamin, ascorbic acid, ascorbic acid, cholecalciferol, cholecalciferol, alprazolam, alprazolam, cetirizine, cetirizine

Religan Disease Interaction

Major: autonomic neuropathy, GI obstruction, glaucoma, obstructive uropathy, tardive dyskinesia, myasthenia gravis, infectious diarrhea, CV acute hemorrhage, reflux esophagitis., severe ulcerative colitisModerate: coronary artery disease, gastroesophageal reflux, psychoses, hepatic impairment, hyperthyroidism, renal impairmentMinor: hypertension, fever

Volume of Distribution

The volume of distribution for a 20mg oral dose is 3.65L/kg.

Elimination Route

The bioavailability of dicyclomine has not been determined, though it is likely well absorbed as the primary route of elimination is in the urine. Religan has a T_max of 1-1.5h.

Half Life

The mean plasma elimination half life is approximately 1.8 hours.

Clearance

Data regarding the clearance of dicyclomine is not readily available.

Elimination Route

Religan is 79.5% eliminated in the urine and 8.4% in the feces.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding use

Pregnancy: Category B. Dicycloverine was neither teratogenic nor embryocidal in animal trial. It, like other drugs should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed. There are no data on the secretion of this drug into breast milk. Dicycloverine should be used cautiously in case of lactating mother.

Contraindication

Dicycloverine is contraindicated in:

• Obstructive uropathy
• Obstructive disease of the gastrointestinal tract
• Severe ulcerative colitis
• Reflux esophagitis
• Unstable cardiovascular status in acute hemorrhage
• Glaucoma
• Myasthenia gravis
• Evidence of prior hypersensitivity to dicycloverine hydrochloride or other ingredients of this formulation
• Infants less than 6 months of age

Acute Overdose

Toxic reaction seldom occurs with dicycloverine. The signs and symptoms of overdosage are headache; nausea; vomiting; blurred vision; dilated pupils; hot, dry skin; dizziness; dryness of the mouth; difficulty in swallowing; and CNS stimulation.

Storage Condition

Store below 30°C.

Innovators Monograph

You find simplified version here Religan