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What is belladonna?

Belladonna is a naturally occurring mixture.

Belladonna produces many effects in the body, including relief from spasms of the gastrointestinal tract (stomach and intestines), the bladder, and the biliary tract. This is helpful in controlling conditions such as colitis, spastic bladder, diverticulitis, infant colic, renal and biliary colic, peptic ulcer, and irritable bowel syndrome.

Belladonna also reduces the secretions of many organs, thereby helping to control conditions such as excessive stomach acid production.

Belladonna is used to treat the rigidity, tremor, excessive salivation, and sweating caused by Parkinson’s disease.

Belladonna also is used to treat motion sickness, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramping associated with menstruation, and to reduce nighttime urination.

Belladonna may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Precautions

Instructions

Side Effects

Interactions

Precautions

Do not take belladonna if you have

• kidney disease;
• a blockage of your urinary tract (difficulty urinating);
• a blockage in your intestines, severe ulcerative colitis, or ulcerative colitis complicated by toxic megacolon;
• glaucoma; or
• myasthenia gravis.

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have

• numbness or tingling in your hands or feet;
• liver disease;
• ulcerative colitis;
• thyroid problems;
• high blood pressure, an irregular heartbeat, or any type of heart disease;
• hiatal hernia or reflux disease;
• enlargement of the prostate; or
• asthma, chronic lung disease, or allergies.

You may not be able to take belladonna, or you may require a lower dose or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

It is not known whether belladonna will harm an unborn baby. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.

It is not known belladonna passes into breast milk. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Belladonna may cause dizziness, drowsiness, or blurred vision. If you experience dizziness, drowsiness or blurred vision, avoid these activities.

Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while you are taking belladonna.

Avoid becoming overheated in hot weather. Belladonna increases the risk of heat stroke because it causes decreased sweating.

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Instructions

Seek emergency medical attention.

Symptoms of a belladonna overdose include headache; nausea; vomiting; dry mouth; difficulty swallowing; blurred vision; dilated pupils; hot, dry skin; dizziness; drowsiness; confusion; anxiety; seizures; weak pulse; and an irregular heartbeat.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.

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Side Effects

If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking belladonna and seek emergency medical attention:

• an allergic reaction (swelling of your lips, tongue, or face, difficulty breathing, closing of your throat, or hives);
• an irregular or fast heart rate;
• a rash or flushing; or
• eye pain.

Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take belladonna and talk to your doctor if you experience

• headache, dizziness, or lightheadedness;
• weakness or nervousness;
• blurred vision, large pupils, or sensitivity of the eyes to bright light;
• nausea, bloating, heartburn, or constipation;
• changes in taste;
• difficulty urinating;
• decreased sweating; or
• nasal congestion, stuffiness, or a dry mouth.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

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Interactions

Many other drugs may increase the side effects of belladonna. Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:

• amantadine (Symmetrel);
• quinidine (Quinaglute, Cardioquin, Quinora, Quinidex);
• antihistamines such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl, many others), brompheniramine (Dimetapp, Bromfed, many others), triprolidine (Actifed, others), and chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton, others), which are found in many over-the-counter and prescription cough, cold, and allergy medications;
• decongestants and appetite suppressants such as phenylpropanolamine (Dexatrim, others), phenylephrine (Neo-Synephrine, others), and pseudoephedrine (Sudafed, others), which are also found in many over-the-counter and prescription products
• phenothiazines such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine) and prochlorperazine (Compazine);
• other commonly used phenothiazines, including fluphenazine (Prolixin), mesoridazine (Serentil), perphenazine (Trilafon), thioridazine (Mellaril), trifluoperazine (Stelazine), and promazine (Sparine);
• tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil, Endep), doxepin (Sinequan), and nortriptyline (Pamelor); or
• other commonly used tricyclic antidepressants, including amoxapine (Asendin), clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), imipramine (Tofranil), protriptyline (Vivactil), and trimipramine (Surmontil).

Belladonna may increase the level of digoxin (Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps) in your blood. Tell your doctor if you are taking digoxin so that your digoxin levels can be monitored and changes in your dosage can be made if necessary.

Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with belladonna. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.

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