Uses

Glycopyrrolate solution is used to reduce excessive drooling caused by medical conditions (such as cerebral palsy). This medication works by decreasing the amount of saliva you make. Glycopyrrolate belongs to a class of drugs known as anticholinergics.

How To Use

Read the Patient and Caregiver Information Leaflet if available from your pharmacist before you start taking glycopyrrolate and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Take this medication by mouth as directed by your doctor, usually 3 times a day. Take it on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal. Carefully measure the dose using a special measuring device/spoon. Do not use a household spoon because you may not get the correct dose.

Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. For children, dosage is also based on weight. To reduce the risk of side effects, your doctor may direct you to start this medication at a low dose and gradually increase the dose. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully.

Do not increase the dose or take this drug more often without your doctor's approval. Your condition will not improve any faster and your risk of side effects will increase.

Tell your doctor if your condition does not improve or if it worsens.

Side Effects

Drowsiness, dizziness, blurred vision, dry mouth, stuffy nose, or constipation may occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

To prevent constipation, eat dietary fiber, drink enough water, and exercise. You may also need to take a laxative. Ask your pharmacist which type of laxative is right for you.

Remember that this medication has been prescribed because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including:

• constipation that doesn't go away
• nausea that doesn't stop
• stomach/abdominal bloating or pain
• vomiting
• diarrhea
• decreased sweating
• dry/hot/flushed skin
• fast/irregular heartbeat
• mental/mood changes (such as confusion, hallucinations, agitation, nervousness, unusual excitement)
• difficulty urinating/inability to urinate

Get medical help right away if you have any very serious side effects, including:

• eye pain/swelling/redness
• vision changes (such as seeing rainbows around lights at night)

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including:

• rash
• itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat)
• severe dizziness
• trouble breathing

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

In the US -

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.

In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Precautions

Before taking glycopyrrolate, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of:

• personal or family history of glaucoma (angle-closure type)
• problems with urination (such as urinary tract blockage, severely enlarged prostate)
• stomach/intestinal problems (such as chronic constipation, slow gut, intestinal blockage/infection, ulcerative colitis)
• myasthenia gravis
• kidney problems

This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy or blur your vision. Alcohol or marijuana (cannabis) can make you more dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs alertness or clear vision until you can do it safely. Limit alcoholic beverages. Talk to your doctor if you are using marijuana (cannabis).

This medication may make you sweat less, making you more likely to get heat stroke. Avoid doing things that may cause you to overheat, such as hard work or exercise in hot weather, or using hot tubs. When the weather is hot, drink a lot of fluids and dress lightly. If you overheat, quickly look for a place to cool down and rest. Get medical help right away if you have a fever that does not go away, mental/mood changes, headache, or dizziness.

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).

Older adults may be more sensitive to this drug's side effects, especially drowsiness, confusion, unusual excitement, constipation, and urination problems.

During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.

It is unknown if this drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Drug Interactions

Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.

Some products that may interact with this drug include:

• potassium chloride tablets/capsules
• pramlintide

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are using other products that cause drowsiness such as opioid pain or cough relievers (such as codeine, hydrocodone), alcohol, marijuana (cannabis), drugs for sleep or anxiety (such as alprazolam, lorazepam, zolpidem), muscle relaxants (such as carisoprodol, cyclobenzaprine), or antihistamines (such as cetirizine, diphenhydramine).

Check the labels on all your medicines (such as allergy or cough-and-cold products, diet aids) because they may contain ingredients that cause drowsiness or a fast heartbeat. Ask your pharmacist about using those products safely.

This medication may interfere with certain lab tests (such as gastric secretion tests), possibly causing false test results. Make sure lab personnel and all your doctors know you use this drug.

Overdose

If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Alberta residents can call PADIS (Poison and Drug Information Service) 24 hours a day at 1-800-332-1414. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center. Symptoms of overdose may include: fever, mental/mood changes (such as confusion, unusual excitement), seizures, coma.

Notes

Do not share this medication with others.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose. Take your next dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch up.

If you have questions about missing a dose or you don't have more medication, contact your healthcare provider or pharmacist.

Storage

Store at room temperature. Keep all medications away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.