glycopyrrolate (oral/injection)

What is the most important information I should know about glycopyrrolate?

What is glycopyrrolate?

Glycopyrrolate helps to control conditions such as peptic ulcers that involve excessive stomach acid production.

Glycopyrrolate is also used to reduce drooling in children ages 3 to 16 who have certain medical conditions, such as cerebral palsy.

Glycopyrrolate injection is also used during surgery to reduce secretions in your stomach or airway, and to help protect your heart and nervous system while you are under general anesthesia.

Glycopyrrolate may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using glycopyrrolate?

• a bladder obstruction or other urination problems;
• a stomach or bowel obstruction (including paralytic ileus);
• severe constipation;
• severe ulcerative colitis or toxic megacolon;
• glaucoma;
• myasthenia gravis; or
• active bleeding with fast heartbeats, low blood pressure, shortness of breath, and cold hands or feet.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• an enlarged prostate;
• liver or kidney disease;
• heart problems or a heart rhythm disorder;
• high blood pressure;
• a stomach disorder such as ulcerative colitis, hiatal hernia, reflux disease, or slow digestion;
• a colostomy or ileostomy;
• a thyroid disorder; or
• a nerve disorder.

Do not give this medicine to a child without medical advice.

How should I use glycopyrrolate?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Measure liquid medicine carefully. Use the dosing syringe provided, or use a medicine dose-measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).

Allow the orally disintegrating tablet to dissolve in your mouth without chewing. Swallow the tablet without water.

Glycopyrrolate doses are based on weight in children. Your child's dose needs may change if the child gains or loses weight.

Glycopyrrolate injection is given as an infusion into a vein or injected into a muscle. A healthcare provider will give you this injection if you are unable to take the medicine by mouth.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

Overdose symptoms may include severe muscle weakness, loss of movement, dilated pupils, jerky muscle movements, or seizure (convulsions).

What should I avoid while using glycopyrrolate?

What are the possible side effects of glycopyrrolate?

• severe constipation, severe stomach pain and bloating;
• diarrhea (especially if you have a colostomy or ileostomy);
• painful or difficult urination;
• fast or pounding heartbeats, fluttering in your chest;
• confusion, severe drowsiness;
• eye pain, seeing halos around lights;
• fever, shallow breathing, weak pulse, hot and red skin; or
• (in a child taking glycopyrrolate) dry diapers, fussiness, or excessive crying.

Common side effects may include:

• constipation, nausea, vomiting, bloating;
• drowsiness, dizziness, weakness, feeling nervous;
• slow or fast heartbeats;
• sleep problems (insomnia);
• flushing (sudden warmth, redness, or tingly feeling);
• blurred vision, sensitivity to light;
• dry mouth, decreased sense of taste;
• decreased sweating, decreased urination;
• impotence, sexual problems;
• headache; or
• rash.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect glycopyrrolate?

Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medications at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you take, which may increase side effects or make the medications less effective.

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

• medicine to treat depression, anxiety, mood disorders, or mental illness;
• opioid medication;
• sleep medicine, cold or allergy medicine (Benadryl and others);
• medicine to treat Parkinson's disease;
• medicine to treat stomach problems, motion sickness, or irritable bowel syndrome;
• medicine to treat overactive bladder;
• bronchodilator asthma medication; or
• seizure medication.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect glycopyrrolate, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about glycopyrrolate.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2023 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 5.05. Revision date: 3/7/2022.