Questran vs. Bentyl

• Are Questran and Bentyl the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Questran?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Bentyl?
• What is Questran?
• What is Bentyl?
• What drugs interact with Questran?
• What drugs interact with Bentyl?
• How Should Questran Be Taken?
• How Should Bentyl Be Taken?

Questran (cholestyramine) and Bentyl (dicyclomine) are used to treat irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Questran and Bentyl are different types of drugs. Questran is a cholesterol-lowering agent used to lower high levels of cholesterol in the blood, especially low-density lipoprotein (LDL) ("bad" cholesterol). Questran powder is also used to treat itching caused by a blockage in the bile ducts of the gallbladder.

Bentyl (dicyclomine) is an anticholinergic prescribed for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

The brand name Questran is discontinued in the U.S. Generic forms of cholestyramine.

Common side effects of Bentyl include:

• dry mouth,
• blurred vision,
• dry eyes,
• confusion,
• agitation,
• increased heart rate,
• constipation,
• difficulty urinating,
• headache,
• nervousness,
• drowsiness,
• weakness,
• dizziness,
• lightheadedness,
• flushing,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• rash,
• stuffy nose, and
• abdominal bloating

Common side effects of Questran include:

• constipation,
• diarrhea,
• stomach/abdominal pain,
• gas,
• bloating,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• loss of appetite,
• weight changes,
• hiccups,
• a sour taste in your mouth,
• skin rash or itching,
• irritation of your tongue,
• itching or irritation around your rectal area,
• muscle or joint pain,
• dizziness,
• spinning sensation, or
• ringing in your ears.

Tell your doctor if you experience rare but serious side effects of Questran (cholestyramine) including:

• severe stomach/abdominal pain,
• unusual bleeding/bruising,
• rapid breathing, or
• confusion.

What is Bentyl?

Bentyl (dicyclomine) is an anticholinergics prescribed for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

What is Questran?

Questran (cholestyramine) for Oral Suspension is a cholesterol-lowering agent used to lower high levels of cholesterol in the blood, especially low-density lipoprotein (LDL) ("bad" cholesterol). Questran powder is also used to treat itching caused by a blockage in the bile ducts of the gallbladder. The brand name Questran is discontinued in the U.S. Generic forms may still be available.

Questran may interact with digoxin and seizure medicines.

Questran may also interact with blood thinners, propranolol, diuretics (water pills), thyroid hormones, birth control pills or hormone replacement, or antibiotics.

Bentyl may interact with amantadine, MAO inhibitors, phenothiazines, or antidepressants.

Bentyl may also interact with other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold or allergy medicine, sedatives, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, or anxiety), digoxin, metoclopramide, atropine, belladonna, benztropine, dimenhydrinate, methscopolamine, scopolamine, bronchodilators, bladder or urinary medications, heart rhythm medications, irritable bowel medications, nitrates, steroids, or ulcer medications.

The recommended starting adult dose for all cholestyramine powdered products is one packet or one level scoopful once or twice a day. The recommended maintenance dose is 2 to 4 packets or scoopfuls daily (8-16 grams anhydrous cholestyramine resin) divided into two doses.

The usual doses of Bentyl range from from 20 - 40 mg given 4 times daily.