Robinul Forte, Robinul, Glyrx-pf, Glycate, Cuvposa, Dartisla Odt

Introduction

Written by Kirstyn Hill, PharmD, MPH
Medically reviewed by Victor Nguyen, PharmD, MBA
Updated on October 4, 2023

Glycopyrrolate (glye koe PYE roe late) is a generic medication prescribed for treating certain conditions, including peptic ulcers and drooling. Glycopyrrolate belongs to a group of drugs called anticholinergics.

These approved uses differ based on the form of glycopyrrolate your doctor prescribes.

Side effects of glycopyrrolate

Glycopyrrolate may cause mild or serious side effects. More common mild side effects of glycopyrrolate and its serious side effects are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of the drug. Side effects can vary based on your age, overall health, and any other medications you take.

To learn more about glycopyrrolate’s side effects, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also refer to the prescribing information for glycopyrrolate listed in the “Resources” section.

Mild side effects

More common mild side effects reported with some forms of glycopyrrolate are listed below.  

This article doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. To learn more about glycopyrrolate’s side effects based on the form, refer to the prescribing information for glycopyrrolate listed in the “Resources” section.

With many drugs, mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If the side effects are bothersome, tell your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest ways to manage them.

Glycopyrrolate oral tablet’s and glycopyrrolate injection’s (given into the muscle or vein) mild side effects include:

• constipation
• drowsiness
• dry mouth
• difficulty urinating
• mild allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for glycopyrrolate” section.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects of glycopyrrolate are listed below. 

This article doesn’t include all possible serious side effects of the drug. To learn more about glycopyrrolate’s side effects based on the form, refer to the prescribing information for glycopyrrolate listed in the “Resources” section.

With many drugs, serious side effects are possible but not common. If you have serious side effects from this drug, call your doctor right away. If you’re having severe symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number. 

In general, glycopyrrolate’s serious side effects include:

• obstruction (blockage) in the intestines and bowels, which can be serious
• respiratory depression (slow and ineffective breathing)
• severe allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for glycopyrrolate” section.

Common questions about glycopyrrolate

Below you’ll find answers to a few commonly asked questions about glycopyrrolate.

Can glycopyrrolate be used for sweating?

Glycopyrrolate is not approved for sweating. However, people taking glycopyrrolate may notice less sweating due to the drug’s side effects. Studies have shown that glycopyrrolate may be useful in treating excessive sweating. Therefore, some doctors may prescribe glycopyrrolate for off-label use to treat excessive sweating. 

With off-label use, doctors prescribe a drug for a purpose other than what it is approved for. If you would like to know more about glycopyrrolate and sweating, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. 

What brand names are available for glycopyrrolate?

Multiple brand-name versions are available for glycopyrrolate. Robinul and Robinul Forte are the brand-name tablets currently available. Cuvposa is the oral solution brand-name version of glycopyrrolate. Finally, Glyrx-PF is the brand-name version available in the injectable form. 

A generic medication is an identical copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. (An active drug is the ingredient that makes a medication work.) Generic drugs are believed to be as effective and safe as brand-name drugs. And generic drugs typically cost less compared with brand-name drugs.

For more information on brand versus generic drugs, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

How does glycopyrrolate work? And how long does it take to start working?

Glycopyrrolate belongs to a group of drugs called anticholinergics. It works by blocking the chemical acetylcholine throughout your body. Acetylcholine has multiple roles, including the production of body fluids such as stomach acid and saliva. Blocking acetylcholine helps to lower the amount of these body fluids.

When your doctor gives the injection into your arm or vein, glycopyrrolate will start to work within 15–30 minutes. If you swallow the oral tablet or oral solution, glycopyrrolate will start to work within 1 hour.

If you’d like to know more about how glycopyrrolate works, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. 

Uses of glycopyrrolate

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as glycopyrrolate for certain conditions. Approved uses for glycopyrrolate are described below. These uses differ based on the form of glycopyrrolate prescribed.

Use for symptoms of peptic ulcer

Doctors may prescribe glycopyrrolate oral tablet or injection given into the muscle or vein for treating symptoms caused by peptic ulcers (sores in the stomach, esophagus, or small intestine). It’s used for this purpose in adults. It’s usually prescribed as a short-term treatment.

With peptic ulcers, inflammation and stomach acid harm the lining of the stomach, esophagus, and small intestines. Symptoms of peptic ulcers include:

• burning stomach pain
• vomiting
• nausea
• changes in appetite
• chest pain
• bloody or dark stools

Treatment of peptic ulcers depends on the cause of the ulcer. Glycopyrrolate may be prescribed with other medications to treat symptoms caused by peptic ulcer. 

Doctors may not prescribe glycopyrrolate in certain situations, such as when a person has a history of glaucoma or an obstruction in their bowels.

Use for drooling

Doctors may prescribe glycopyrrolate oral solution for treating severe drooling. It’s used for this purpose in children ages 3–16 years. It’s usually prescribed as a long-term treatment.

Drooling is often caused by weak or underdeveloped muscles in or around the mouth. Though a certain amount of drooling is considered usual, excessive drooling may be experienced by people with certain medical conditions or people taking specific medications. Excessive drooling is commonly seen in children with certain neurological conditions, such as cerebral palsy.

Doctors may not prescribe glycopyrrolate oral solution in certain situations, such as if a child has a history of inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis, or is taking potassium chloride by mouth.

Use as an aid before anesthesia and intubation during surgery

Doctors may prescribe glycopyrrolate injection to help prevent mouth, throat, and stomach secretions and certain heart reflexes before and during surgery and intubation. The injection may be given into the muscle or vein. It’s used for this purpose in adults and children ages 1 month and older. It’s usually prescribed as a short-term treatment.

With surgery, glycopyrrolate may be used as an aid before anesthesia and intubation by lowering saliva secretions, maintaining a regular heartbeat, and assisting in relaxation.

Doctors may not prescribe glycopyrrolate injection in certain situations, such as if a person has glaucoma.

Interactions and warnings for glycopyrrolate

Below, you’ll find information about glycopyrrolate’s possible interactions and warnings. 

Interactions of glycopyrrolate

Certain things may affect how a drug works. These include getting vaccines, consuming alcohol or certain foods, or taking the drug with other medications. This effect is called a drug interaction. 

Before you take glycopyrrolate, ask your doctor to check for possible interactions. Be sure to tell them about any of the following you take or use:

• prescription or over-the-counter drugs
• vitamins, herbs, or supplements

To learn about drug-condition interactions, see the “Warnings for glycopyrrolate” section below.

Warnings for glycopyrrolate

Some people should not use glycopyrrolate, and others should use it cautiously.

Glycopyrrolate could cause harm to people with certain health conditions. This effect is called a drug-condition interaction. Other factors can also affect whether glycopyrrolate is a safe option for you. 

Ask your doctor about specific warnings for glycopyrrolate, and be sure to tell your doctor about your:

• current health, including any allergies to medications
• past health conditions or surgeries

Allergic reaction

Glycopyrrolate can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.

If you’ve had an allergic reaction to glycopyrrolate or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe glycopyrrolate. They can tell you about medications that are safer options for you.

A mild allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• skin rash
• itchiness
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

A severe allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• swelling under your skin, usually in your hands, feet, eyelids, or lips
• swelling of your mouth, throat, or tongue, which can cause breathing problems 

If you have an allergic reaction to glycopyrrolate, call your doctor right away. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number.

Overdose of glycopyrrolate

If you take glycopyrrolate by mouth, you should not take more glycopyrrolate than your doctor prescribes. For some drugs, doing so may lead to harmful effects or overdose.

If you think you’ve taken too much glycopyrrolate, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have concerning symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding and glycopyrrolate

Information about glycopyrrolate and pregnancy and breastfeeding is described below.

Glycopyrrolate and pregnancy

It’s not known whether glycopyrrolate should be taken during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking/using this medication. 

Glycopyrrolate and breastfeeding

It’s not known whether glycopyrrolate should be taken while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking/using this medication. 

What to ask your doctor

Let your doctor know if you have questions about glycopyrrolate or would like more details about it.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• How long will I take glycopyrrolate?
• Are there any alternative medications that I can take for my condition?
• What drug interactions should I avoid while taking glycopyrrolate?

Resources

• Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm
• Glycopyrrolate injection, solution. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/88d3e865-8dca-4c89-b6f7-a34c481f75b9/spl-doc
• Glycopyrrolate solution. (2022). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/579d2499-6520-41fb-ae52-f3d8b9af8950/spl-doc
• Glycopyrrolate tablet. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/5773cf63-4006-4d8f-b53b-c84bcfe19e4a/spl-doc
• Lee HH, et al. (2012). Efficacy of glycopyrrolate in primary hyperhidrosis patients. https://www.epain.org/journal/view.html?doi=10.3344/kjp.2012.25.1.28

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.