Belladonna Alkaloids and Barbiturates (Systemic)

Brand name(s): Antrocol

Before Using This Medicine

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For belladonna alkaloids and barbiturates, the following should be considered:

Allergies-Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to belladonna alkaloids (atropine, belladonna, hyoscyamine, and scopolamine) or to barbiturates (butabarbital, phenobarbital). Also, tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy-Belladonna alkaloids have not been shown to cause problems in humans. However, barbiturates (contained in this medicine) have been shown to increase the chance of birth defects in humans. Also, when taken during pregnancy, barbiturates may cause bleeding problems in the newborn baby. Be sure that you have discussed this with your doctor before taking this medicine.

Breast-feeding-Belladonna alkaloids or barbiturates have not been shown to cause problems in nursing babies. However, traces of the belladonna alkaloids and barbiturates pass into the breast milk. Also, because the belladonna alkaloids tend to decrease the secretions of the body, it is possible that the flow of breast milk may be reduced in some patients.

Children-Severe side effects may be more likely to occur in infants and children, especially those with spastic paralysis or brain damage. Unusual excitement, nervousness, restlessness, or irritability and unusual warmth, dryness, and flushing of skin are more likely to occur in children, who are usually more sensitive to the effects of belladonna alkaloids. Also, when belladonna alkaloids are given to children during hot weather, a rapid increase in body temperature may occur. In addition, the barbiturate in this medicine could cause some children to become hyperactive.

Older adults-Confusion or memory loss; constipation; difficult urination; drowsiness; dryness of mouth, nose, throat, or skin; and unusual excitement, nervousness, restlessness, or irritability may be more likely to occur in the elderly, who are usually more sensitive than younger adults to the effects of belladonna alkaloids and barbiturates. Also, eye pain may occur, which may be a sign of glaucoma.

Other medicines-Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking belladonna alkaloids and barbiturates, it is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking any of the following:

• Adrenocorticoids (cortisone-like medicine) or
• Corticotropin (ACTH)-Belladonna alkaloids and barbiturates may decrease the response to these medicines

• Antacids or
• Diarrhea medicine containing kaolin or attapulgite-These medications may decrease the response to belladonna alkaloids

• Anticholinergics (medicine for abdominal or stomach spasms or cramps)-Belladonna alkaloids and barbiturates may increase the response to anticholinergics

• Anticoagulants (blood thinners)-Belladonna alkaloids and barbiturates may decrease the effect of this medicine

• Central nervous system (CNS) depressants (medicines that cause drowsiness)-The CNS effects of either medicine could be increased

• Ketoconazole (e.g., Nizoral)-Using ketoconazole with this combination medicine may lessen the effects of ketoconazole and barbiturates

• Monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor activity (isocarboxazid [e.g., Marplan], isocarboxazid [e.g., Marplan], phenelzine [e.g., Nardil], procarbazine [e.g., Matulane], selegiline [Eldepryl]; tranylcypromine [e.g., Parnate])-Taking belladonna alkaloids and barbiturates while you are taking or within 2 weeks of taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors may increase the effects of the barbiturates

• Potassium chloride (e.g., Slow K or K-Dur)-May cause an increase in lesions (sores) of the stomach or intestine

Other medical problems-The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of belladonna alkaloids and barbiturates. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Asthma, emphysema, or other chronic lung disease or
• Dryness of mouth (severe and continuing) or
• Enlarged prostate or
• Glaucoma or
• Heart disease or
• Hyperactivity (in children) or
• Intestinal blockage or other intestinal problems or
• Urinary tract blockage or difficult urination-Belladonna alkaloids and barbiturates may make these conditions worse

• Brain damage (in children) or
• Spastic paralysis (in children)-These conditions may increase the effects of the medicine

• Down's syndrome (mongolism)-This condition may increase the side effects of the medicine

• Kidney disease or
• Liver disease-Higher levels of the belladonna alkaloid and barbiturate may result, possibly leading to increased side effects

Last Revised: 08/09/2000