hyoscyamine Health Article

Generic name(s):

hyoscyamine

Brand name(s):

Anaspaz, Cystospaz, Hyospaz, Hyosyne, Levbid, Levsin, Levsin SL, Levsinex SR, Symax Duotab, Symax SL, Symax SR

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 is hyoscyamine?

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.