Hyoscine Butylbromide

Indications
Hyoscine butylbromide is an antispasmodic medicine which is taken to relieve cramps in the stomach, intestines or bladder. In particular, it helps to ease bloating and the spasm-type pain that can be associated with irritable bowel syndrome and diverticular disease. It works by relaxing some of the muscles in your gastrointestinal and urinary systems.
Hyoscine butylbromide is available on prescription. You can also buy it from a pharmacy, without a prescription, to relieve the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, providing your symptoms have previously been diagnosed by a doctor.
There is also a medicine called hyoscine which is taken to prevent travel sickness. There is more information about this in a separate medicine leaflet called Hyoscine for travel sickness.

Therapeutic Class
Anticholinergics (antimuscarinics)/ Anti-spasmodics

Pharmacology
Hyoscine competitively blocks muscarinic receptors and has central and peripheral actions. It relaxes smooth muscle and reduces gastric and intestinal motility.

Dosage
Tablets: The usual dose of Hyoscine tablets is 10 to 20 mg tablets per day. If you need to take this medication regularly, then the usual dose is 10 mg tablet 3 to 5 times a day. The maximum dose is 6 tablets per day.
Injection: The usual dose of Hyoscine Injection is 10 mg to 20 mg given by intramuscular (into a muscle), intravenous (into a vein), or subcutaneous (under the skin) injection. The maximum daily dose is 100 mg.

Administration
Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here,do not change the way that you are using the medication without consulting your doctor.
Swallow the tablets whole with a glass of water. Do not crush or chew the tablets.
It is important to use this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not use a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Interaction
Additive sedative effects with alcohol or other CNS depressants. Reduced effects with acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (donepezil, galantamine, rivastigmine, tacrine).

Contraindications
Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine may only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start taking hyoscine butylbromide it is important that your doctor or pharmacist knows:
If you are pregnant or breast-feeding.
If you have prostate problems.
If you have any other digestive system problems, such as reflux disease, diarrhoea, ulcerative colitis, or severe constipation.
If you have high blood pressure, or if you have recently had a heart attack.
If you have glaucoma. This is a condition where the pressure in your eyes is raised.
If you have been told by a doctor that you have a fast heart rate.
If you have Down's syndrome.
If you are less than 12 years old or over 65 years old.
If you have been told you have nerve damage, a condition called autonomic neuropathy.
If you have a condition that causes muscle weakness, called myasthenia gravis.
If you are taking any other medicines. This includes any medicines you are taking which are available to buy without a prescription, as well as herbal and complementary medicines.
If you have ever had an allergic reaction to a medicine.

Side Effects
Hyoscine butylbromide side-effects (these affect less than 1 in 100 people) are Dry mouth, Dry skin, sweating, Itchy skin rash

Pregnancy & Lactation
Pregnancy Category C. Animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use of the drug in pregnant women despite potential risks

Precautions & Warnings
Hepatic/renal disease, pyloric stenosis, urinary retention, prostatic hyperplasia, psychosis, seizure disorders, ulcerative colitis, coronary artery disease, tachyarrhythmias, heart failure, hypertension. Elderly, children, pregnancy, lactation.
Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

Storage Conditions
Store this medication at room temperature, protect it from light and moisture, and keep it out of the reach of children.