Children are typically more sensitive to the effects of anticholinergics. When taking the medication, children commonly experience:

• Excitement or restlessness
• Nervousness
• Irritability
• Unusual warmth, dryness and flushing of the skin

Children taking anticholinergics during hot weather can experience a rapid increase in body temperature because the medication inhibits sweating. Parents should watch their children carefully for signs of dizziness, confusion or rapid heart beat. Children who demonstrate these symptoms should be taken to a cooler area and a physician should be contacted.

Children who have brain damage or spastic paralysis are usually not prescribed anticholinergics. These conditions increase the likelihood that a child will experience severe side effects from this type of medication. Therefore, other treatment options may be prescribed for these children.

Children taking the anticholinergic dicyclomine (used to treat irritable bowel syndrome) occasionally experience shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.