Alverine Citrate Capsule: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Alverine Citrate Capsule contains alverine citrate, an antispasmodic that relaxes smooth muscle in the gut and uterus to ease cramps, pain, and spasms. It is used for conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, diverticular disease, and menstrual cramps. It works by blocking calcium from entering muscle cells, which prevents excessive muscle contraction. It is generally not given to children, pregnant women, or newborn babies.

What is Alverine Citrate Capsule

Alverine Citrate is an antispasmodic medicine belonging to the class of anticholinergic smooth muscle relaxants. It relaxes the smooth muscle in the gut and uterus to ease cramps, pain, and spasms, and is used as a smooth muscle relaxant in disorders of the gastrointestinal and genitourinary tracts.

Alverine Citrate Capsule uses

• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Diverticular disease of the colon
• Menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea)
• Adjunct in GI disorders
• Muscular spasm

Benefits of Alverine Citrate Capsule

• Relieves stomach and intestinal cramps, bloating, and urgent bowel movements
• Eases painful muscle spasms in the colon from diverticular disease
• Reduces period pain by relaxing the uterine muscle

How Alverine Citrate Capsule works

Alverine citrate relaxes the smooth muscle in the gut by blocking calcium from entering the muscle cells. This stops the muscles from contracting too much, which eases spasms and pain. It mainly acts on the gut muscle and does not strongly affect other muscles in the body, such as those in the eyes or mouth.

Alverine Citrate Capsule dosage

Take the capsules with a glass of water. You can take it with or without food. Adults and children over 12 years may take it up to three times a day, usually for no longer than 2 weeks for IBS symptoms.

If you forget a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is nearly time for your next dose — in that case, skip the missed dose and continue your normal schedule. Do not take more than the amount recommended by your doctor. This medicine is generally not given to children, pregnant women, or newborn babies.

Available forms and strengths

This medicine is available as capsules.

Side effects of Alverine Citrate Capsule

Common

• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Skin rashes or itching

Serious

• Allergic reactions (swelling of lips, face, or tongue, rash, wheezing, or difficulty breathing)
• Liver problems such as hepatitis (yellowing of skin or eyes, dark urine, persistent nausea)
• Low blood pressure or signs of taking too much of the medicine

Warnings and precautions

• Do not take this medicine if you have a blocked or non-working bowel (intestinal obstruction or paralytic ileus). Tell your doctor if you look pale and feel tired, have severe constipation, fever, have recently travelled abroad, are or may be pregnant, have abnormal vaginal bleeding or discharge, or have difficulty or pain passing urine.
• This medicine is not recommended for children, pregnant women, or newborn babies. It may not be suitable if you are allergic to alverine citrate or its other ingredients, are over 40 years old, have blood in your stools, have severe constipation, have abnormal vaginal bleeding or discharge, or have difficulty passing urine.
• Do not use this medicine for longer than 2 weeks for IBS symptoms without checking with a doctor if your symptoms have not improved.
• This medicine should not be given to pregnant women, and you should tell your doctor if you are or may be pregnant. Safety information in pregnancy is limited.
• Talk to your doctor before taking this medicine if you are breastfeeding, as there is limited safety information.
• No specific routine renal dose adjustment is established.
• Tell your doctor right away if you notice yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, or ongoing nausea, as these can be signs of liver problems.
• Avoid alcohol while taking this medicine, as it can make dizziness and drowsiness worse.
• If dizziness or drowsiness occurs, avoid driving or operating machinery.

Storage

• Store in a well closed container, at room temperature, below 25°C.

When to see a doctor

• Get medical help right away if your lips, mouth, throat, or tongue suddenly swell, you are breathing very fast or have shortness of breath, your throat feels tight or you struggle to swallow, your skin or lips turn blue, grey, or pale, you suddenly become very confused, drowsy, or dizzy, or someone faints and cannot be woken up.
• Contact your doctor or an urgent care center if you have any serious side effects. Seek medical attention if you notice signs of an allergic reaction such as rash, itching, swelling, or difficulty breathing. Contact your doctor if you have taken too much of this medicine and experience symptoms such as low blood pressure or other toxic effects.

Alternatives

• Mebeverine
• Hyoscine butylbromide
• Dicyclomine
• Peppermint oil capsules