Hyoscine Tablets

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Reviewed on December 06, 2023. by Mr Craig Marsh Independent Prescriber Registered with GPhC (No. 2070724) Next review due on Dec 07, 2026.

Last updated on December 06, 2023.

Product info

Hyoscine butylbromide relieves cramps associated with IBS.
It works by relaxing muscles in these areas.
You’ll start to feel the effects within 2 hours.

Price checker

Prices include:

Express shipping
24 hour shipping by secure courier.
Consultation + Access to our clinicians
Ask our experts anything you like, any time you want.
Total
£34.95

Save £0.00 each order

Hyoscine Tablets: essential info
Hyoscine Tablets: instructions
Important stuff you need to know
FAQ

What is Hyoscine butylbromide?

Hyoscine butylbromide tablets (pronounced hai·uh·seen byoo·tuhl·brow·mide) provide relief for cramps in your stomach, gut, bladder and the tubes that lead outside your body (the urinary system), making it an ideal treatment for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Symptoms of IBS include stomach pain, cramps, changes in bowel habits, bloating and excessive wind.^[1] While the exact cause of IBS isn’t fully known, it’s believed to be related to abnormal muscle contractions in the bowel, sensitivity to certain foods and stress.^[2]

Quick note: Hyoscine butylbromide, also known as scopolamine butylbromide, can be mistaken for hyoscine hydrobromide, a travel sickness medication. These two are similar, but used for different conditions, so make sure you take the right one for your condition.

How does Hyoscine butylbromide work?

Hyoscine butylbromide eases IBS pain and discomfort by relaxing the smooth muscles in your stomach, gut and urinary system. It’s been specifically designed not to cross the blood-brain barrier (it doesn’t affect your brain), so that you won’t experience side effects like drowsiness. It acts directly on the muscles in your organs and has antispasmodic and anti-muscarinic effects.

Hyoscine is not a typical painkiller, but rather it stops your painful cramps and spasms before they happen. It’s on the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines, which means it’s one of the most important meds in a basic health system.^[2]

What doses of Hyoscine butylbromide are there?

Hyoscine butylbromide tablets come in two strengths: 10mg and 20mg. It’s also available as Hyoscine butylbromide 20mg/ml solution for injection. Hyoscine butylbromide tablets are recommended for adults and children over 6 years old.

If you’re dealing with IBS, our clinicians will likely recommend starting with a 10mg dose of Hyoscine butylbromide, taken three times a day. If needed, they may up it to 20mg, four times a day.

Treated trusted sources:

Schoenfeld, P. (2005). Efficacy of Current Drug Therapies in Irritable Bowel Syndrome: What Works and Does Not Work. Gastroenterology Clinics of North America, 34(2), pp.319–335.
Enck, P., Aziz, Q., Barbara, G., Farmer, A.D., Fukudo, S., Mayer, E.A., Niesler, B., Quigley, E.M.M., Rajilić-Stojanović, M., Schemann, M., Schwille-Kiuntke, J., Simren, M., Zipfel, S. and Spiller, R.C. (2016). Irritable bowel syndrome. Nature Reviews Disease Primers, 2, p.16014.

This page was written by The Treated Content Team.

This page was medically reviewed by Mr Craig Marsh on December 07, 2023. Next review due on December 07, 2026.

How we source info.

When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.

How to take Hyoscine butylbromide

It’s very important to follow your doctor or pharmacist’s instructions when taking Hyoscine butylbromide tablets for IBS. Always double-check with them if you’re unsure about anything.

Swallow your Hyoscine tablets with water and avoid breaking, crushing or chewing them. Also, don’t use the tablets for long periods unless your clinician advises you to.

If you’re using antacids or certain anti-diarrhoea meds like kaolin-pectin or attapulgite, they can affect how well scopolamine gets absorbed in your body. So, if you’re taking these, make sure to wait at least 1 hour after taking scopolamine before you use them.

How long does Hyoscine butylbromide take to work?

Hyoscine butylbromide tablets start working pretty quickly in your body, and you’ll experience their effects fully within 2 hours after taking them, which is when the active ingredient reaches its peak concentration in your bloodstream.^[1]

What should I do if I make a mistake while taking Hyoscine butylbromide?

If you take more Hyoscine Butylbromide Tablets than you should, it’s important to get in touch with your clinician or head to a hospital right away. If at all possible, remember to bring the medicine pack with you, even if you’ve used up all the tablets.

If you forget a dose, just take it as soon as you remember. But if it’s almost time for the next dose, just skip the missed one. Don’t double your dose to make up for the one you missed.

Before you stop taking your Hyoscine butylbromide tablets, it’s important to talk to your clinician. They’ll give you the right advice on how and when to stop the treatment to make sure it’s safe.

Treated trusted sources:

www.medicines.org.uk. (n.d.). Hyoscine Butylbromide 20 mg Film-coated Tablets – Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) – (emc).

This page was written by The Treated Content Team.

This page was medically reviewed by Mr Craig Marsh on December 07, 2023. Next review due on December 07, 2026.

How we source info.

FAQ: Hyoscine Tablets

Have something specific you want to know? Search our info below, or ask our experts a question if you can’t find what you’re looking for.

Is Hyoscine butylbromide available over the counter?

Answer:

No, you can’t get Hyoscine butylbromide tablets over the counter. It’s a prescription-only medicine. If you decide to get it from us, we can prescribe and dispense Hyoscine butylbromide for you after you answer a few short questions about your health. This is because we want to make sure that Hyoscine butylbromide is safe for you to take.

How does Hyoscine butylbromide compare to other treatments?

Answer:

Hyoscine butylbromide is a generic medication, but there’s also a brand that contains the same active ingredient: Buscopan (as Tablets, Cramps and IBS Relief). All these medications contain the same active ingredient and work in the same way to relieve IBS symptoms.

The main differences between generic medications and brand names lie in their appearance, manufacturers and cost (generic medication is usually cheaper). In this instance, Hyoscine butylbromide tablets are available in two strengths, 10mg and 20mg, while Buscopan tablets are only available in 10mg doses.

Some of the other medicines that act in a similar way and belong to the same group of antispasmodics include:

Mebeverine hydrochloride, which you might find as Colofac, Colofac IBS, Aurobeverine or Fybogel Mebeverine (in combination with Ispaghula husk, which helps with constipation);

Dicycloverine hydrochloride; and:

Alverine, known as Audmonal and Spasmonal.

What are the side effects of Hyoscine butylbromide?

Answer:

Like all medicines, Hyoscine butylbromide tablets can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them. The most common side effects include headaches, feeling sick (nausea) and dizziness.

Other possible side effects may include:

Dry mouth

Abnormal or reduced sweating

Increased heart rate

Difficulty passing urine

You can also experience an allergic reaction to Hyoscine butylbromide tablets. Look out for skin rashes, itching, redness, difficulty breathing or feeling faint, and head to the nearest emergency room if this happens.

Can you take Hyoscine butylbromide with other drugs?

Answer:

Hyoscine butylbromide is usually safe to take with other drugs. But there are some medicines that might interact with it. So it’s best to tell your clinician of any treatments you’re currently taking so that they can make sure that Hyoscine is safe for you to take.

Avoid taking Hyoscine butylbromide with motion sickness drugs like domperidone and metoclopramide, as they can cancel each other out. Be cautious with medications like codeine, antihistamines and some antidepressants, because they can increase side effects when taken together with Hyoscine butylbromide. Also, be careful with drugs for conditions like Parkinson's disease, heart issues and asthma, as they can interact with Hyoscine butylbromide.

If you're using loperamide (Imodium) along with Hyoscine butylbromide, you might experience some side effects like dizziness, drowsiness and trouble concentrating. Ask your clinician for further advice, so that they can recommend adjustments to your treatment plan if necessary.

On the other hand, you can combine Hyoscine butylbromide with painkillers like paracetamol or ibuprofen. A 3-week course using hyoscine butylbromide and paracetamol together three times a day has proven effective and safe for those with recurring crampy abdominal pain.^[1]

Can I drink alcohol while taking Hyoscine butylbromide?

Answer:

Yes, there aren’t any known interactions between hyoscine and alcohol. But you should be aware that alcohol can trigger IBS symptoms. So, whether you're on meds or not, it's generally best to curb your alcohol intake while dealing with IBS.

Is Hyoscine butylbromide safe to take during pregnancy or while breastfeeding?

Answer:

There isn’t enough data about using hyoscine butylbromide in pregnant or breastfeeding women. So, if you're pregnant, breastfeeding, thinking you might be pregnant or planning to have a baby soon, it's best to avoid taking this medicine. Your clinician might still recommend it for you if there's no other option available.

Treated trusted sources:

Mertz, H. (2007). How effective are oral hyoscine butylbromide and paracetamol for the relief of crampy abdominal pain? Nature Clinical Practice Gastroenterology & Hepatology, 4(1), pp.10–11