Propantheline

Propantheline is a prescription medication used to prevent spasms and treat the symptoms of peptic ulcers. 

• Propantheline is available under the following different brand names: Pro Banthine

Common side effects of Propantheline include:

• dry mouth
• increased sensitivity of the eyes to light
• dizziness
• nervousness
• difficulty sleeping
• headache
• loss of sense of taste
• upset stomach
• vomiting
• bloating
• confusion (especially in the elderly)
• blurred vision
• constipation

Serious side effects of Propantheline include:

• fast heartbeat 
• heart palpitations
• eye pain
• difficulty urinating
• skin rash
• itching

Rare side effects of Propantheline include:

• none

Seek medical care or call 911 at once if you have the following serious side effects:

• Severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, arm or leg weakness, trouble walking, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady, very stiff muscles, high fever, profuse sweating, or tremors;
• Serious eye symptoms such as sudden vision loss, blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights;
• Serious heart symptoms include fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeats; fluttering in the chest; shortness of breath; sudden dizziness, lightheartedness, or passing out.

This is not a complete list of side effects and other serious side effects or health problems that may occur as a result of the use of this drug. Call your doctor for medical advice about serious side effects or adverse reactions. You may report side effects or health problems to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Adult and pediatric dosage

Tablet

• 15 mg

Peptic Ulcer

Adult dosage

• 15 mg orally every 8 hours before meals & 30 mg orally every bedtime
• Use 7.5 mg orally every 8 hours for mild conditions
• Administration: take 30-60 min before a meal

Geriatric dosage

• Administer 7.5 mg orally every 8 hours before and every bedtime; not to exceed 30 mg every 8 hours

Antispasmodic

Adult and geriatric dosage

• 15 mg orally every 8 hours before meals & 30 mg orally at bedtime

Pediatric dosage

• 2-3 mg/kg/day orally divided every 4-6 hours & every bedtime

Antisecretory

Pediatric dosage

• 1-2 mg/kg/day orally every 6-8 hours 

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows: 

• See “Dosages”

If your medical doctor is using this medicine to treat your pain, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider, or pharmacist first.

• Propantheline has severe interactions with no other drugs.
• Propantheline has serious interactions with the following drugs:
  • glucagon
  • glucagon intranasal
  • glycopyrronium tosylate topical
  • pramlintide
  • revefenacin
  • secretin
  • umeclidinium bromide/vilanterol inhaled
• Propantheline has moderate interactions with at least 99 other drugs.
• Propantheline has minor interactions with the following drugs:
  • dimenhydrinate
  • donepezil
  • galantamine

This information does not contain all possible interactions or adverse effects. Visit the RxList Drug Interaction Checker for any drug interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist about all your products. Keep a list of all your medications with you and share this information with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your health care professional or doctor for additional medical advice, or if you have health questions or concerns.

Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity to propantheline or related compounds
• Closed-angle glaucoma, myasthenia gravis, hemorrhage w/ cardiovascular instability, paralytic ileus, intestinal atony of elderly/debilitated patient, obstructive uropathy, toxic megacolon, GI obstruction, tachycardia secondary to cardiac insufficiency or thyrotoxicosis

Effects of drug abuse

• None

Short-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Propantheline?”

Long-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Propantheline?”

Cautions

• Renal/hepatic/ impairment, BPH, CHF, CAD, HTN, COPD, hiatal hernia, reflux esophagitis, mitral stenosis, brain damage or spastic paralysis in children, salivary secretion d/o, Down syndrome, autonomic neuropathy, hyperthyroidism, tachyarrhythmia, toxin-mediated diarrhea
• Elderly (see Beers Criteria)
• Risk of heat prostration in high environmental temperature
• May affect alertness/ability to perform hazardous tasks

Pregnancy and Lactation

• Use with caution if the benefits outweigh the risks during pregnancy.
• Lactation
  • Not known whether excreted into breast milk