Hyoscyamine (By mouth)

Introduction:

Hyoscyamine (hye-oh-SYE-a-meen)

Treats muscle cramps in your bowels or bladder. Treats symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), colitis, or other digestive problems. Treats pain caused by kidney stones or gallstones, and muscle problems related to Parkinson's disease. Treats symptoms of irritation of the nose. Also treats stomach ulcers. Can be used for treatment of anticholinesterase poisoning. Often used with other medicines.

Brand Name(s):

Symax DuoTab, Anaspaz, Levsin, Hyosyne, Symax-SR, Levbid, HyoMax-SR, HyoMax-DT, HyoMax-FT, NuLev, Symax FasTabs, Dispas, Levsinex, Colidrops Pediatric, Levsin/SL

There may be other brand names for this medicine.

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to hyoscyamine, or if you have glaucoma (high pressure in your eyes). You should not use this medicine if you have certain digestive problems, such as a blockage in your bowels, or if you have colitis (inflammation of the bowel) that has caused ulcers (irritation of the intestinal lining).You should not use this medicine if the muscles in your digestive system do not work correctly, or if you have trouble urinating. You should not use this medicine if you have severe heart problems, or if you have myasthenia gravis (a muscle disorder).

How to Use This Medicine:

Tablet, Spray, Chewable Tablet, Dissolving Tablet, Long Acting Tablet, Long Acting Capsule, Liquid

  • Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to use and how often. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
  • This medicine comes with patient instructions. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
  • If you are using the spray for the first time, you will need to prime the spray. To do this, pump the bottle until some of the medicine sprays out. Now it is ready to use. You will need to prime the spray with one pump any time that you have not used the medicine for 2 days or longer.
  • To use the spray: Hold the bottle as close to your mouth as possible, with the spray opening pointing into your mouth. Quickly push down on the pump to spray the medicine into your mouth. Close your mouth. Do not swallow or spit out any medicine. Do not rinse your mouth for 5 to 10 minutes after using the medicine. If your doctor has told you to use more than one spray, repeat these steps. When you are finished, wipe the spray tip with a clean tissue and put the cover back on. Do not use more than 30 sprays from one bottle of medicine. There may still be some liquid in the bottle after you have used 30 sprays, but there may not be enough to give you a full dose of medicine.
  • If you are using the disintegrating tablet, make sure your hands are dry before you handle the tablet. Place the tablet on your tongue or under your tongue. The tablet should melt quickly. After the tablet has melted, swallow or take a sip of water. You may also chew the tablet or swallow it whole.
  • Swallow the extended-release capsule whole. Do not crush, break, or chew it.
  • Measure the oral liquid medicine with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, medicine cup, or medicine dropper.

If a dose is missed:

  • If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:

  • Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Do not freeze the oral liquid.
  • Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.
  • Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

  • Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using medicines like hyoscyamine, such as atropine, belladonna, dicyclomine, oxybutynin, scopolamine, Ditropan®, Donnatal®, or Transderm Scop®. Also make sure your doctor knows if you are also using amantadine, or if you are also using haloperidol.
  • Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using a phenothiazine medicine, such as prochlorperazine, Compazine®, Mellaril®, Phenergan®, Thorazine®, or Trilafon®. These medicines can be used to treat severe vomiting, psychiatric problems, or other conditions.
  • Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using an MAO inhibitor (MAOI) medicine, such as Eldepryl®, Marplan®, Nardil®, or Parnate®. Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using a cold or allergy medicine (antihistamine). Some antihistamine medicines are clemastine, diphenhydramine, Benadryl®, and Tavist®.
  • Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using a tricyclic antidepressant medicine, such as amitriptyline, doxepin, nortriptyline, Elavil®, Pamelor®, or Sinequan®.
  • Do not use an antacid such as Maalox® or Tums® at the same time you use hyoscyamine. If you use an antacid, use your hyoscyamine before the meal, then use your antacid after the meal.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

  • Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breast feeding, or if you have thyroid problems. Make sure your doctor knows if you have kidney disease. Tell your doctor if you have any kind of heart disease, including congestive heart failure (CHF), or if you have heart rhythm problems, or high blood pressure. Make sure your doctor knows if you have had an ileostomy or colostomy (an opening in your intestine made during surgery). Make sure your doctor knows if you have autonomic neuropathy (a nerve disorder), or if you have heartburn with hiatal hernia (when a part of the stomach pushes up into the chest).
  • This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Avoid driving, using machines, or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert.
  • If you have severe diarrhea, ask your doctor before taking any medicine to stop the diarrhea.
  • This medicine may make you sweat less than usual. Your body could get too hot if you do not sweat enough. Try to stay indoors or somewhere cool during hot weather. If your body gets too hot, you might feel dizzy, weak, tired, or confused. You might have an upset stomach or vomit. Call your doctor if you are too hot and cannot cool off, or if you have a fever.
  • The disintegrating tabletcontains the chemical phenylalanine. If you have a disorder called phenylketonuria, you may not be able to use the tablets.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

  • Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing.
  • Decrease in how much or how often you urinate.
  • Fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat.
  • Headache, nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, dry mouth, trouble swallowing, and hot, dry skin.
  • New or worse diarrhea.
  • Unusual behavior, such as confusion, memory loss, clumsiness, odd movements, restlessness, trouble speaking, trouble sleeping or sleeping too much.
  • Unusual or unexpected feelings, such as feeling more happy or nervous than expected.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

  • Blurred vision.
  • Breast feeding women: decrease in milk production.
  • Constipation.
  • Drowsiness or dizziness.
  • Dry mouth or eyes.
  • Feeling bloated.
  • Feeling unusually weak.
  • Loss of taste.
  • Men: trouble having or keeping an erection.
  • Skin redness, itching, or rash.
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