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My Primary Care Physician Prescribed For Me Today (11/05/18) Bentyl/

Posted on Mon, 3 Dec 2018

Question: My primary care physician prescribed for me today (11/05/18) Bentyl/Dicyclomine 10 mg tab for digestive (stomach/colon) spasms. I would like to have the drug filled at the pharmacy, but one of the possible side effects listed on the internet (WebMD) is tachycardia, to which I am prone when I ingest something that disagrees with me or that overstimulates the production of insulin (I seem to have an over-reactive pancreas to bitter substances like Turmeric and Fenugreek, as well as to large amounts of sugar). Is it safe for me to try to take even one tablet?

Answered by Dr. Arnold Zedd (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
can medicine that could cause a side effect that patient sometimes has be t

Detailed Answer:
Hello Mr. Lang, and welcome to Ask a Doctor. I have read your query and here is my answer.
If your doctor prescribed a medication he wants you to take, but you feel it may be risky, then he/she is the best one to discuss this with. He knows you while I can only offer suggestions without knowing your complete history.
If you have any more questions, I will be happy to help. If you do not have further clarifications, you can close the discussion and rate the answer. Wish you good luck.
I shall remain here for a while should you wish to ask more questions.
Arnold Zedd, MD

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Arnold Zedd (1 hour later)

This very general answer is not at all helpful. I thought I was giving you as much info as my doctor has about me. Let me review. I am sensitive to substances that can cause tachycardia (for example, a recent episode that landed me in the ER from taking just half of a 15 mg tablet of Mirtazatpine (Remeron), which did sedate me and improve digestion for a day, but then (without my taking any more) had a rebound effect of waking me up with rapid heartbeat more than 24 hours later. I called 911 and the paramedics said my pulse was so high (145 bpm) that they had to take me by ambulance to the hospital. They did an EKG on the ambulance and in the ER, which they said was normal, along with normal magnesium level and oxygen level (exact quote from ER attending physician: "your oxygen levels are great!"). They diagnosed it as a bad reaction to the drug, and told me not to take it anymore. Yet there is a less than 1% incidence of such a side-effect, according to the pharmaceutical contra-indications. Thus, once again, since it is more highly likely that the Bentyl would have tachycardia as a side-effect, would it be advisable for me not to attempt to take it?

Answered by Dr. Arnold Zedd (45 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
tachycardia after taking mirtazatpine

Detailed Answer:
Welcome back Mr. Lang and thank you for providing additional history.
You have already had rapid heart rate after taking one prescription drug.
I think it is a safer plan not to take the second(Bentyl).
I don't want this to continue because sooner or later there will not be any medicines that you can take.
Allow me to suggest that you make arrangements with either your primary care physician or cardiologist. Let one of them have you come into a quiet place in their office and record your pulse. Then take one of the medicines that caused you to have tachycardia. Be seated, sit down ,you don't move, and periodically doctor or staff come in to retake your pulse.
This might require several hours, but at least then, both you and your physician will have concrete evidence about the effect of the medicine on your heart.
I hope this has provided you with food for thought.
If you have any further concerns, I will be happy to help.
Arnold Zedd, MD

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Remy Koshy