propantheline bromide at a glance
Medicine class
Antimuscarinic antispasmodic
Licensed uses
Gastrointestinal smooth-muscle spasm, hyperhidrosis and adult enuresis
Food
Food reduces absorption, so take the tablets at least one hour before meals
Driving
Do not drive or operate machinery if blurred vision or drowsiness occurs
What is propantheline bromide used for?
The selected product is licensed for adults for:
As an adjunct for gastrointestinal disorders characterised by smooth-muscle spasm
Hyperhidrosis—excessive sweating
Adult enuresis—difficulty remaining dry
How does propantheline bromide work?
Propantheline blocks acetylcholine at muscarinic receptors, reducing parasympathetic activity. This decreases gastrointestinal movement and secretions and reduces sweating; the same action can cause dry mouth, constipation and difficulty passing urine.
propantheline bromide preparations and strengths
Tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 15 mg
How to take propantheline bromide
Take propantheline bromide exactly as prescribed. Swallow the tablets whole with water and take them at least one hour before meals because food can reduce absorption.
Do not alter how much you take without advice from the prescriber.
Ask a pharmacist or prescriber if swallowing whole tablets is difficult.
propantheline bromide side effects
Common or expected effects
- Dry mouth, thirst or difficulty swallowing
- Constipation
- Blurred vision, focusing difficulty or sensitivity to light
- Dry or flushed skin and reduced sweating
- Dizziness, nausea or vomiting
- Changes in heart rate, palpitations or an irregular heartbeat
- Difficulty starting urination
- Reduced airway secretions; occasional confusion, particularly in older people
Get urgent medical advice
- Eye pain with severe focusing difficulty or light sensitivity, which may indicate raised eye pressure
- Severe difficulty passing urine or emptying the bladder
- Overheating or heatstroke caused by reduced sweating
- Marked palpitations, an irregular heartbeat, collapse or severe confusion
propantheline bromide in pregnancy
The product information advises that propantheline bromide should not be used during pregnancy unless considered essential. Anyone pregnant, planning pregnancy or who may be pregnant should discuss the need for treatment with the prescriber.
propantheline bromide while breastfeeding
The product information advises use only when considered essential because transfer into milk is unknown and milk production may theoretically fall. SPS considers propantheline a preferred antispasmodic option for a full-term, healthy breastfed infant, while recommending individual assessment and monitoring for poor feeding, inadequate weight gain, drowsiness, irritability, constipation or fewer wet nappies.
propantheline bromide interactions
Propantheline can add to antimuscarinic effects and, by delaying stomach emptying, alter the absorption or action of other medicines.
Other antimuscarinic medicines, antihistamines, tricyclic antidepressants, nefopam, disopyramide, clozapine or amantadine
Combined use can increase effects such as dry mouth, constipation, blurred vision, confusion and urinary retention.
Paracetamol
Absorption may be slower and reduced.
Ketoconazole
Propantheline may reduce its absorption.
Common questions about propantheline bromide
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
What is propantheline bromide used for?
It is licensed for adults with gastrointestinal disorders involving smooth-muscle spasm, hyperhidrosis and enuresis.
Is propantheline bromide an anticholinergic?
Yes. It is an antimuscarinic that blocks acetylcholine-mediated parasympathetic activity.
Why must propantheline bromide be taken before food?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.