Hyoscyamine (By Mouth)

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

Treats muscle cramps in your bowels or bladder. This helps to reduce some 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. Also helps treat stomach ulcers. Often used with other medicines.

Brand Name(s):

Nulev, Spasdel, Anaspaz, Levsin, Hyosyne, Symax-SR, Spacol T/S, Levbid, Hyoscyamine TR, Neosol, Levsinex, IB-Stat, Colidrops Pediatric, Hyospaz, Cystospaz
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 or myasthenia gravis (a muscle disorder). Do not use this medicine if you have certain digestive problems, such as a blockage in your bowels or colitis that has caused ulcers. You should not use this medicine if the muscles in your digestive system do not work correctly, or if you have trouble urinating.

How to Use This Medicine:

Tablet, Spray, 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.
• To use the disintegrating tablet: Place the tablet on your tongue. The tablet should melt quickly. After the tablet has melted, you may swallow or take a drink 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.
• Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
• Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.

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 similar to hyoscyamine, such as belladonna, scopolamine, atropine, oxybutynin, dicyclomine, Donnatal®, Transderm Scop®. Also make sure your doctor knows if you are also using amantadine (Symmetrel®) or haloperidol (Haldol®).
• Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using a phenothiazine medicine, an MAO inhibitor, medicine for depression, or cold or allergy medicine (antihistamines). Some phenothiazine medicines are Compazine®, Phenergan®, Serentil®, or Thorazine®. MAO inhibitors are Eldepryl®, Marplan®, Nardil®, Parnate®. The medicines for depression that could cause problems are tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline, nortriptyline, Elavil®, Pamelor®. Some antihistamines are clemastine, diphenhydramine, Benadryl®, Tavist®.
• 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 a meal, and take 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 or kidney disease. Tell your doctor if you have any kind of heart disease, including congestive heart failure (CHF), 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). If you have autonomic neuropathy (a nerve disorder) or heartburn with hiatal hernia, tell your doctor.
• 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.
• This medicine may make you sweat less. Your body could get too hot if you do not sweat enough. Try to stay indoors or somewhere cool during hot weather. If you have a fever, call your doctor for advice. 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 down.
• The disintegrating tablet (NuLev®) contains 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, dizziness, dry mouth, trouble swallowing, and hot dry skin.
• New or worse diarrhea.
• Unusual behavior, such as confusion, memory loss, clumsiness, odd movements, restlessness, 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.
• Constipation.
• Dry mouth or eyes.

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.