Evaluation of the efficacy of dicyclomine hydrochloride (‘Merbentyl’) syrup in the treatment of infant colic

SummaryA double-blind crossover trial was carried out in 25 babies with infant colic to compare the symptomatic relief provided by dicyclomine hydrochloride (5mg4-times daily) or placebo. Patients received each treatment, in random order, for 1 week. A scoring system was used to measure the total symptom complex as well as the individual parameters of post-prandial crying, post-prandial vomiting, and sleep disturbance. Dicyclomine hydrochloride syrup was found to be superior to placebo in relieving the total symptom complex (p < 0.025) and in reducing sleep disturbance (p < 0.05). Side-effects with both therapies were minimal.