Glycopyrrolate

Pronunciation: GLYE-koe-PIR-oh-late
Generic Name: Glycopyrrolate
Brand Name: Robinul

Glycopyrrolate is used for:

Reducing secretions in the mouth, throat, airway, and stomach before surgery. It is used before and during surgery to block certain reflexes and to protect against certain side effects of some medicines. It is also used along with other medicines to treat peptic ulcers. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Glycopyrrolate is an anticholinergic. It works by blocking the activity of a certain substance (acetylcholine) in the body, which decreases secretions and decreases side effects caused by medicines that may increase the action of acetylcholine in the body.

Do NOT use Glycopyrrolate if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Glycopyrrolate


• you are being treated for a peptic ulcer and you also have glaucoma, urinary blockage (eg, inability to urinate), certain stomach or bowel problems (eg, stomach or bowel blockage, bowel paralysis, severe ulcerative colitis, toxic megacolon), myasthenia gravis, or heart problems caused by bleeding


• you are taking a solid oral doseform of potassium (eg, a tablet)

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Glycopyrrolate:

Some medical conditions may interact with Glycopyrrolate. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding


• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement


• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances


• if you have nerve problems (eg, autonomic neuropathy), Down syndrome, prostate problems, trouble urinating, liver problems, kidney problems, or increased pressure in the eyes


• if you have heart problems (eg, coronary heart disease, heart failure), a fast or irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, or an overactive thyroid


• if you have stomach or bowel problems (eg, ulcerative colitis), constipation or diarrhea, hiatal hernia along with reflux disease, or if you have an ileostomy or colostomy


• if you have a personal or family history of glaucoma


• if the patient is a child with spastic paralysis or brain damage


• if you are in poor health

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Glycopyrrolate. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Solid oral potassium products (eg, tablets) because the risk of stomach or bowel irritation may be increased by Glycopyrrolate


• Anticholinergics (eg, benztropine), phenothiazines (eg, chlorpromazine), or tricyclic antidepressants (eg, amitriptyline) because they may increase the risk of Glycopyrrolate's side effects

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Glycopyrrolate may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Glycopyrrolate:

Use Glycopyrrolate as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Glycopyrrolate is usually given as an injection at your doctor's office, hospital, or clinic. If you will be using Glycopyrrolate at home, a health care provider will teach you how to use it. Be sure you understand how to use Glycopyrrolate. Follow the procedures you are taught when you use a dose. Contact your health care provider if you have any questions.


• Do not use Glycopyrrolate if it contains particles, is cloudy or discolored, or if the vial is cracked or damaged.


• Keep this product, as well as syringes and needles, out of the reach of children and pets. Do not reuse needles, syringes, or other materials. Ask your health care provider how to dispose of these materials after use. Follow all local rules for disposal.


• If you miss a dose of Glycopyrrolate, use it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not use 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Glycopyrrolate.

Important safety information:

• Glycopyrrolate may cause drowsiness, dizziness, or blurred vision. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Glycopyrrolate with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.


• Check with your doctor before you drink alcohol or use medicines that may cause drowsiness (eg, sleep aids, muscle relaxers) while you are using Glycopyrrolate; it may add to their effects. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines may cause drowsiness.


• Drinking fluids, maintaining good oral hygiene, and sucking on hard sugarless candy can help relieve dry mouth.


• Do not become overheated in hot weather or while being active; heatstroke may occur.


• Use Glycopyrrolate with extreme caution if you have a fever because heatstroke caused by decreased sweating may occur.


• Glycopyrrolate may make your eyes more sensitive to sunlight. It may help to wear sunglasses.


• Use Glycopyrrolate with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects.


• Glycopyrrolate has benzyl alcohol in it. Do not use it in NEWBORNS or INFANTS. It may cause serious and sometimes fatal nervous system problems and other side effects.


• Glycopyrrolate should not be used in CHILDREN to treat peptic ulcer; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.


• Caution is advised when using Glycopyrrolate in CHILDREN; they may be more sensitive to its effects.


• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Glycopyrrolate while you are pregnant. It is not known if Glycopyrrolate is found in breast milk. Glycopyrrolate may decrease milk production. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Glycopyrrolate, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby, as well as any questions or concerns about this information.

Possible side effects of Glycopyrrolate:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Bloated feeling; blurred vision; constipation; decreased sweating; dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth; dry skin; enlarged pupils; headache; loss of taste; nausea; nervousness; pain, swelling, or redness at the injection site; sleeplessness; weakness.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); chest pain; confusion; decreased sexual ability; diarrhea; difficulty focusing the eyes; difficulty urinating; excitement; fainting; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; fever; seizures; severe or persistent dizziness, light-headedness, or headache; shortness of breath; unusual weakness; vomiting.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

See also: Glycopyrrolate side effects (in more detail)

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include blurred vision; convulsions; difficulty breathing; disorientation; dry mouth; enlarged pupils; excessive thirst; flushed, hot, dry skin; muscle weakness; nausea; restlessness; seizures; unusual dizziness or drowsiness; vomiting.

Proper storage of Glycopyrrolate:

Glycopyrrolate is usually handled and stored by a health care provider. If you are using Glycopyrrolate at home, store Glycopyrrolate as directed by your pharmacist or health care provider. Keep Glycopyrrolate out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Glycopyrrolate, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.


• Glycopyrrolate is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.


• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.


• Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Glycopyrrolate. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Issue Date: February 1, 2012

Database Edition 12.1.1.002

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

More Glycopyrrolate resources

• Glycopyrrolate Side Effects (in more detail)
• Glycopyrrolate Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Drug Images
• Glycopyrrolate Drug Interactions
• Glycopyrrolate Support Group
• 0 Reviews for Glycopyrrolate - Add your own review/rating

• Glycopyrrolate Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)


• Glycopyrrolate Monograph (AHFS DI)


• glycopyrrolate Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information


• Cuvposa Consumer Overview


• Cuvposa Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Robinul Prescribing Information (FDA)

Compare Glycopyrrolate with other medications

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