HYOSPASMOL – IS IT SAFE? USES, SIDE-EFFECTS, DOSAGE
What is Hyospasmol?
Hyospasmol is an anticholinergic medication used for treating various gastrointestinal conditions ranging from diarrhoea to abdominal cramps and various other such conditions. Hyospasmol is derived from an alkaloid. It is available in form of injections, tablets and syrups which are used in accordance with the condition to be treated.
HYOSPASMOL – IS IT SAFE? USES, SIDE-EFFECTS, DOSAGE
What is the generic name(s)?
What is its composition?
How does it work?
What are its uses?
How effective is this medicine?
Is it addictive?
What is the dosage?
What if I miss a dose?
What to do in case of overdosage?
What to do if there is an allergic reaction?
What are the side effects?
Does this medicine has any drug interactions?
Can it be taken with food?
Can it be taken with alcohol?
Can it be taken on an empty stomach?
What are the precautions I need to take?
Is it safe to use if I am pregnant?
Is it safe to use if I am breastfeeding?
Can this medicine be given to children and infants?
Is this medicine available as over the counter product?
Frequently asked questions
Reference
What is the generic name(s)?
The generic name is Hyoscyamine. This medicine is available under brand names: Buscopan, Symax, Donnamar, Cytosol, Levbid, Spacol, Levsin, NuLev, Buwecon, Neoquess, Hyomax, Anaspaz, Hyomax, Oscimin, ED-spaz, Levsinex, etc.
What is its composition?
In injection:
20 mg – Hyoscine Butylbromide
In tablets:
10 mg – Hyoscine Butylbromide
In syrups:
5mg/5ml – Hyoscyamine(the strengths may vary)
How does it work?
Hyospasmol is a Quaternary ammonium salt. As it is an anticholinergic agent, it has actions similar to atropine but they are shorter and weaker. It blocks the action of a parasympathetic chemical, Acetylcholine, which controls the contraction of muscles plus is responsible for maintaining secretions in the body. Hyospasmol will, thus, relax muscles in many organs. In the gastrointestinal tract, this medicine will reduce movements inside the stomach and will also inhibit secretions in the stomach and at other sites.
What are its uses?
It is used for the treatment of:
Abdominal conditions like
- Abdominal cramps
- Ulcers
- Pain arising due to kidney stones
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Pain due to gallbladder or digestive system conditions
- Inflammation in/of the pancreas or large/small intestine
- Abdominal pain
- Renal colic
- Spasms in bladder
- Diverticulitis
Other conditions like:
- Treatment for rigid muscles
- Excessive sweating and drooling in Parkinsonism
- Controlling the flow of mucus secretion from the nose
- Spastic muscle conditions
- Motion sickness
- Rhinitis
Injections of Hyospasmol are used to treat
- Diarrhoea
- Gastro-intestinal cramps
How effective is this medicine?
Hyospasmol is very effective as a treatment for peptic ulcers. It has proved itself to be useful in many conditions but that depends on many factors like the severity of the condition, the strength of the dose used and the brands used.
Is it addictive?
This class of drug doesn’t usually cause addiction. Long-term use, however, can incite certain dependency and will show itself as withdrawal symptoms if discontinued. Medicine abuse is also a possibility as is given with Morphine sometimes and can be consumed in excess for the sake of pain relief. To minimize this possibility, self-medication should be avoided. The dosages and the precautions should be followed in accordance with the prescription and the guidelines given by the physician.
What is the dosage?
In this class, the dose of these medicines will vary for different patients. Follow the instructions of your doctor or the prescription given and the directions on the label. The information shared below only includes the average doses of these drugs. If the mentioned dosage is different, just don’t change it unless you are advised by your doctor.
The amount of medicine being taken depends on strength of the medicine. In addition, the number of doses taken per day, the time interval between doses and the duration for one takes the medicine will depend on the condition being treated.
For gastrointestinal spasms and related problems:
Tablets:
1) Adult Dose:
20 mg; four times in a day
2) Paediatric dose:
For 6-12 year olds-10-20 mg; three times in a day
For 3-6 year olds-10 mg; three times in a day
for 1-3 year olds-5-10 mg; three times in a day
Injections:
1) Adult Dose:
20 mg intravenously or intramuscularly for 2-3 times daily
2) Pediatric dose:
5 mg intravenously or intramuscularly for children up to 3 years, for 2-3 times daily
10 mg intravenously or intramuscularly for children of 3-12 years, for 2-3 times in a day.
Syrups:
1) Adult Dose:
180 to 300 micrograms (mcg) 3-4 times a day. The dose should be taken 30 to 60 minutes before meals and also in some cases, during bedtime. If necessary, your doctor may change the dose.
2) Pediatric dose:
Based on the weight of the child. Commonly given- 9 mcg per kilogram(body weight) for 3-4 times a day.
For anti-emetic use :
1) Adult Dose:
0.3-0.65 mg every few hours as required-intravenously/intramuscularly/subcutaneously.
2) Pediatric dose:
6 mcg/kilogram for one dose; every few hours as and when required- intravenously/subcutaneously.
For Parkinson’s disease:
0.4-0.8 mg, every 8 hours; given orally.
What if I miss a dose?
Consume the medicine as soon as you notice, should you miss a dose. If your next dose’s time is close, skip the missed dose and resume your dose course accordingly. Do not use additional dose for a missed dose or use any other medicine to make up for it. Set an alarm for taking medicine as a reminder or ask a family member or friend to do so. If too many doses are missed, consult the doctor to make up for it by changing the course schedule or using medicine of higher strength.
What to do in case of overdosage?
Increased heart rate, rapid breathing, delirium and hallucinations might result due to overdosing. With very severe toxicity, Central nervous system depression with failure in circulation or respiratory depression might manifest. Contact your doctor immediately in such case. You may follow these steps:
- If the patient or any family member suspects that he/she has overdosed Hyospasmol Syrup, rush to the emergency department of the nearest local hospital.
- The immediate treatment given by the doctor in such a case would be gastric lavage followed by tannic acid intake to reduce the action of the alkaloid. Plus a purgative might be administered to stimulate the forward movement of the gastrointestinal tract. Repeated Physostigmine injections can be given if required.
What to do if there is an allergic reaction?
An allergic reaction in its serious form due to Hyospasmol is rare. But if it occurs, get medical help immediately. The symptoms to be watchful for are trouble in breathing, feeling continuous dizzy, rash, itching at the face, tongue or neck. Also, swelling in these areas are seen. Take the prescription slip or box of the medicine when going to the hospital for the doctors there.
What are the side effects?
Significant side effects are not seen in the common population. But knowledge of all effects should be known to the patient. They are:
Using tablets can cause:
- Dryness of mouth
- Dryness and flushing of the skin
- Constipation
- Inability to stop urination
- Headache
- Blurring of vision
- Difficulty in speech delivery
- Pupil dilation(term used is mydriasis)
- Difficulty in swallowing
- Cycloplegia, which is paralysis of the ciliary muscle of the eye, can also lead to a sensitivity of the eye
- A temporary decrease in heart rate followed by the increase in heart rate
- Sometimes vomiting or dizziness is also seen
- Reduced sweating
Using syrup can cause:
- Mild insomnia
- Rashes(itchy in nature)
- Feeling of bloating
- Difficulty in passing urine
- Unbearable pressure in eyes
- Heartburn
- Difficulty in swallowing
- Reduced production of milk in breasts
Using injection can cause:
- Same as for tablets
- Hypersensitivity to injection will show itself in the form of rashes and conjunctivitis
In very rare cases:
Agitation, paranoia, irrelevant rambling, delusions are observed. Stop medication immediately in this case and report to the doctor.
Does this medicine has any drug interactions?
Using other over the counter medicines with Hyospasmol can hamper the actions of both. To prevent this, inform the doctor about all the medicines, vitamins, supplements, Ayurvedic and herbal substances being used in the present. During the course of the treatment do not consume other medicines without first consulting the doctor.
It increases the effect of the following:
- Sedatives(for e.g.sleeping pills)
- Anti-anxiety drugs
- Analgesics
- Anti-histamines
- Anti-depressants
- Muscle relaxants
- Hydrocodone(eg.Norco)
It affects the working mechanism of the following:
- Zonisamide
- Potassium chloride
- Topiramate
- Biphosphonate drugs like Pamidronate, Tiludronate, etc
- Potassium citrate
- Pramlintide
- Anti-Arrhythmics like Quinidine
- Sodium chloride
- Anti-hypertensives
- Antifungal drugs (e.g. Itraconazole, Ketoconazole)
- Medicines like Benedryl, Flexeril, Nitroglycerins
- Corticosteroids like Prednisone, etc.
- Digoxin
Can it be taken with food?
Most drugs, when consumed with food, are not as effective as compared to when taken empty stomach. Tablets and syrups of Hyospasmol are usually advised to be taken 30-60 minutes before eating any food. There are no interactions with food stated which is due to the limitation in studies regarding Hyospasmol-food interaction.
Can it be taken with alcohol?
The side effects listed by administering this medicine include a decrease in heart rate with nausea, dizziness and headache. These effects will further increase if alcohol is consumed with it. Also, the judgement of the patient will be compromised. Thus, it is strictly advised to not consume alcohol with this medicine.
Can it be taken on an empty stomach?
There are no problems in consuming Hyospasmol on an empty stomach unless advised otherwise by the physician.
What are the precautions I need to take?
- Do not take Hyospasmol with antacids (take an hour before or at least 2 hours after consuming antacids).
- When taking tablets, make sure you don’t chew or crush them. Swallow it with a glass of water. If the medicine is chewed, it can enter systemic circulation earlier and can lead to serious side effects.
- Inform doctor about any upcoming surgery(even dental ones) or any plans of pregnancy.
- Drink plenty of fluids to keep yourself hydrated and maintain good oral hygiene.
- Take necessary precautions while going out in sunlight.
- Inform doctors if you have disorders like myasthenia gravis, overactive thyroid, hypertension, acute kidney disease, heart diseases, hernia.
- Do not immediately stop taking the dose just because the symptoms have reduced. Consult your doctor first.
- The medicine should be kept in a dry place at room temperature with no heat.
- Check for the expiry of medicine before buying and consuming it.
- Avoid overhydration as well as under hydration in direct contact to sunlight due to the risk of heat stroke.
- Do not take the medicine if you have a fever.
Is it safe to use if I am pregnant?
Hyospasmol is in FDA pregnancy C category which means that there are no controlled studies on humans as of now and its effects if any on the fetus are not known. Despite the potential risks, this medicine could still produce the required effects without any harm to mother or foetus. Therefore, consulting the doctor if pregnant is essential as it requires case-specific attention.
Is it safe to use if I am breastfeeding?
One of the side effects of the medication is decrease production in breast milk. It’s not always the case as the drug goes into the required site of action and acts there without affecting anything else, but it is possible and has been reported. Therefore it should be discussed by the doctor along with other risks and benefits.
Can this medicine be given to children and infants?
Hyospasmol for many conditions like intestinal problems is not recommended for infants (less than 3-year-old). Body weight is usually used to calculate the dosages for children. They are sensitive to this medication so the doctor prescribes the dosage accordingly.
Is this medicine available as over the counter product?
Various brands of Hyospasmol are over the counter product(OTC) (eg.Levsin). Therefore they do not require any prescription. But it is always advised to consult the doctor for your own safety.
Frequently asked questions?
Can I drive after taking Hyospasmol?
One should not drive after taking this medicine to be on the safe side as its side effects can result which include dizziness, blurring of vision, feeling of vomiting and a slight drop in heart rate leading to drowsiness. Operating any heavy machinery is not advised.
What dietary modification should I do?
If the doctor has advised you to alter something in your diet, only then do so. Otherwise, continue with the normal diet.
What to do if I drank the expired syrup of Hyospasmol?
It is unlikely that a single dose of expired Hyospasmol Syrup will lead to a negative outcome. However, talk to your primary physician or pharmacist for advice or if you feel uneasy or ill. Expired medicine may be inefficient to treat your conditions. It is important not to use expired medication to be on the safe side.
Is Hyospasmol safe for elderly?
Clinical experiences do not indicate any difference in the effects of young adults and individuals over 65 years. However, due to decreased cardiac, hepatic and renal function due to old age, the dosage started should be low and should be increased gradually depending upon how the body responds. Renal function should be monitored regularly. However, if the individual already has an existing kidney or liver disorders, this medicine will not be prescribed and an alternate medication will be given by the doctor.
Reference
Wikipedia page on Gastrointestinal disease
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