Certain health conditions raise concerns for patients taking antispasmodics. For example, antispasmodics may increase a patient’s heart rate, which can worsen symptoms for those with bleeding problems. Patients with kidney or liver disease may take longer to metabolize antispasmodics, increasing the level of the drug in the bloodstream and making side effects more likely.

In addition, antispasmodics may not be recommended for patients with the following conditions:

• Colitis
  
  
• Dryness of mouth
  
  
• Enlarged prostate
  
  
• Fever
  
  
• Glaucoma (eye disease that damages the optic nerve)
  
  
• Heart disease
  
  
• High blood pressure (hypertension)
  
  
• Intestinal problems
  
  
• Chronic lung disease
  
  
• Myasthenia gravis (neuromuscular disorder that causes voluntary muscle weakness)
  
  
• Toxemia of pregnancy
  
  
• Urinary tract blockage
  
  
• Down syndrome (chromosome abnormality that results in retardation)
  
  
• Overactive thyroid
  
  
• Spastic paralysis in children