Hyoscyamine produces many effects in the body, including relief from muscle spasms.
Hyoscyamine also reduces the fluid secretions of many organs and glands in the body,
such as the stomach, pancreas, lungs, saliva glands, sweat glands, and nasal passages.
Hyoscyamine is used to treat many different stomach and intestinal disorders, including
peptic ulcer and irritable bowel syndrome. It is also used to control muscle spasms in the
bladder, kidneys, or digestive tract, and to reduce stomach acid. Hyoscyamine is sometimes used
to reduce tremors and rigid muscles in people with symptoms of Parkinson's disease.
Hyoscyamine is also used as a drying agent to control excessive salivation, runny nose, or
excessive sweating.
Hyoscyamine may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking hyoscyamine?
Do not take this medication if you are allergic to hyoscyamine, or if you have:
kidney disease;
an enlarged prostate or problems with urination;
intestinal blockage;
severe ulcerative colitis, or toxic megacolon;
glaucoma; or
myasthenia gravis.
Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any
drugs, or if you have:
heart disease, congestive heart failure;
a heart rhythm disorder;
high blood pressure;
overactive thyroid; or
hiatal hernia with GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease).
If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment
or special tests to safely take hyoscyamine.
FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell
your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
Hyoscyamine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use
this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take hyoscyamine?
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in
larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on
your prescription label.
Your medication may come with patient instructions for safe and effective use. Follow
these directions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
Do not crush, chew, break, or open an
extended-release tablet or capsule
. Swallow the pill whole. It is specially made to release medicine slowly in the body.
Breaking or opening the pill would cause too much of the drug to be released at one time.
Measure the
oral liquid
form of hyoscyamine with a special
dose-measuring spoon or cup, not a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring
device, ask your pharmacist for one.
The
sublingual tablet
form of this medication must be placed under the
tongue, where it will dissolve. Do not swallow the sublingual tablet whole or wash it down with
water. You may drink water after the pill has completely dissolved in your mouth.
Before using hyoscyamine
oral spray
for the first time, you must prime
the spray pump. To do this, spray 3 test sprays into the air and away from your face. Prime the
spray pump at least 1 test spray any time you have not used the oral spray for longer than 2 days.
Spray until a fine mist appears.
After using the oral spray, try not to swallow right away. Do not rinse your mouth or spit
for 5 to 10 minutes after using the oral spray.
Hyoscyamine is usually taken before a meal. Follow your doctor's instructions.
Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Do not use hyoscyamine oral spray for more than 30 sprays, even if there is medicine still
left in the bottle.
What happens if I miss a dose of hyoscyamine?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose,
skip the missed dose and take the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time.
Do
not
take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Where can I get more information about hyoscyamine?
Your pharmacist has information about hyoscyamine written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of hyoscyamine?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using hyoscyamine and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious
side effects:
diarrhea;
confusion, hallucinations;
unusual thoughts or behavior;
fast, pounding, or uneven heart rate;
rash or flushing; or
eye pain.
Less serious side effects may include:
dizziness, drowsiness, feeling nervous;
blurred vision, headache;
sleep problems (insomnia);
nausea, vomiting, bloating, heartburn, or constipation;
changes in taste;
problems with urination;
decreased sweating;
dry mouth; or
impotence, loss of interest in sex, or trouble having an
orgasm.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell
your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about hyoscyamine?
Do not take this medication if you are allergic to hyoscyamine, or if you have kidney
disease, a bladder or intestinal obstruction, severe ulcerative colitis, toxic megacolon, glaucoma,
or myasthenia gravis.
Before taking hyoscyamine, tell your doctor if you have heart disease, congestive heart
failure, a heart rhythm disorder, high blood pressure, overactive thyroid, or hiatal hernia with
gastroesophageal reflux disease.
Avoid taking antacids at the same time you take hyoscyamine. Antacids can make it
harder for your body to absorb hyoscyamine. If you use an antacid, take it after you have taken
hyoscyamine and eaten a meal.
Hyoscyamine can cause side effects that may impair your vision, thinking, or
reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and able to see
clearly.
Avoid drinking alcohol. It can increase drowsiness and dizziness while you are
taking hyoscyamine.
Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise and in hot weather. Because
hyoscyamine reduces sweating, it can increase your risk of heat stroke.
What should I avoid while taking hyoscyamine?
Avoid taking antacids at the same time you take hyoscyamine. Antacids can make it
harder for your body to absorb hyoscyamine. If you use an antacid, take it after you have taken
hyoscyamine and eaten a meal.
Hyoscyamine can cause side effects that may impair your vision, thinking, or
reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and able to see
clearly.
Avoid drinking alcohol. It can increase drowsiness and dizziness while you are
taking hyoscyamine.
Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise and in hot weather. Because
hyoscyamine reduces sweating, it can increase your risk of heat stroke.
What other drugs will affect hyoscyamine?
Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:
amantadine (Symmetrel);
haloperidol (Haldol);
an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan),
phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine
(Parnate);
phenothiazines such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine),
fluphenazine (Prolixin), mesoridazine (Serentil), perphenazine (Trilafon), prochlorperazine
(Compazine), thioridazine (Mellaril), or trifluperazine (Stelazine); or
antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil, Etrafon),
amoxapine (Ascendin), clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), doxepin
(Sinequan), imipramine (Janimine, Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), protriptyline (Vivactil), or
trimipramine (Surmontil).
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact
with hyoscyamine. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications
you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other
doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of hyoscyamine?
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share
your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
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Content provided by Multum - Last Updated 11/10/2009