belladonna Health Article

Generic name(s):

belladonna

Brand name(s):

Belladonna Tincture

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

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.

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.

Who should not take belladonna?

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.

How should I take belladonna?

Take belladonna exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

Take each dose with a full glass of water.

To ensure that you get a correct dose, measure the liquid form of belladonna with a special dose-measuring spoon or cup, not with a regular tablespoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist where you can get one.

Store belladonna at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

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.

What happens if I overdose?

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.