Kaolin, Pectin, and Belladonna Alkaloids (Systemic)

Brand name(s): Donnagel

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 kaolin, pectin, and belladonna alkaloids combination medicine, the following should be considered:

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

Pregnancy-This medicine has not been shown to cause birth defects or other problems in humans.

Breast-feeding-Although the belladonna alkaloids in this medicine pass into breast milk, this medicine has not been reported to cause problems in nursing babies.

Children-Children are especially sensitive to the effects of belladonna alkaloids. This may increase the chance of side effects during treatment. Also, the fluid loss caused by the diarrhea may result in a serious condition (dehydration), which may be hidden by the use of this medicine. For these reasons, do not give this medicine for diarrhea to young children (under 6 years of age) without first checking with their doctor. In older children with diarrhea, medicine for diarrhea may be used, but it is also very important that enough liquids be given to replace the fluid lost by the body. If you have any questions about this, check with your health care professional.

Older adults-Elderly people are especially sensitive to the effects of belladonna alkaloids. This may increase the chance of side effects during treatment. Also, the fluid loss caused by the diarrhea may result in a serious condition (dehydration), which may be hidden by the use of this medicine. For this reason, elderly persons should not take this medicine without first checking with their doctor. It is also very important that enough liquids be taken to replace the fluid lost by the body. If you have any questions about this, check with your health care professional.

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 (contained in this combination medicine), it is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking any of the following:

• Central nervous system (CNS) depressants (medicine that causes drowsiness) or
• Tricyclic antidepressants (medicines for depression)-Effects of CNS depressants or of belladonna alkaloids, such as drowsiness, may become greater

• Ketoconazole [e.g., Nizoral]-Use of this medicine with ketoconazole may decrease the effectiveness of ketoconazole

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

• Potassium chloride (e.g., Kay Ciel)-Use with belladonna alkaloids may worsen stomach and intestinal problems caused by potassium

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

• Brain damage (children) or
• Down's syndrome or
• Spastic paralysis (children)-The effects of belladonna alkaloids may be increased

• Colitis or other intestinal disease-A more serious condition may develop with the use of this medicine

• Difficult urination or
• Dryness of the mouth (severe and continuing) or
• Emphysema, asthma, bronchitis, or other chronic lung disease or
• Enlarged prostate or
• Glaucoma or
• Heart disease or
• Hiatal hernia-The belladonna alkaloids contained in this medicine may make these conditions worse

• Dysentery-This condition may get worse; a different kind of treatment may be needed

• Kidney disease or
• Liver disease-Higher blood levels of the belladonna alkaloids may result, increasing the chance of side effects

Last Revised: 04/27/1995