Buscopan Tablet: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Buscopan Tablet (hyoscine butylbromide) is an antispasmodic medicine taken to soothe abdominal pain that comes from tightening of the tissues in the stomach, intestines, or urinary tract. It works by relaxing the muscles in these tracts, helping to stop severe bouts of pain quickly. It is used for conditions such as abdominal cramps, irritable bowel syndrome, menstrual cramps, bladder spasms, and gastrointestinal spasm-related pain.

What is Buscopan Tablet

Buscopan Tablet is taken to soothe abdominal pain that comes from tightening of the tissues in the stomach, intestines or urinary tract. It achieves this by relaxing the muscles in these tracts which helps to stop severe bouts of pain quickly.

Buscopan Tablet uses

• Abdominal cramps
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• Menstrual cramps
• Bladder spasms
• Gastrointestinal spasm-related pain

Benefits of Buscopan Tablet

• Relieves cramps and pain by relaxing tight muscles of the stomach, gut, and biliary tract

How Buscopan Tablet works

Abdominal cramps happen because muscles suddenly and strongly tighten. Buscopan relieves these cramps, pain, and discomfort by relaxing the tight muscles of the stomach, gut, and biliary tract.

Buscopan Tablet dosage

Swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water. Do not break, crush, or chew the tablets. It can be taken with or without food. Take it at regular intervals as directed by your doctor, and do not exceed the recommended dose. This medicine should not be taken continuously for long periods without your doctor investigating the cause of your pain. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember, but if it's almost time for your next dose, skip the missed one and do not double up. It is not recommended for children under 6 years of age.

Available forms and strengths

• Tablet
• Syrup (for infants and children under 6 years) — BUSCOPAN 0.1% syrup
• Injection solution

Side effects of Buscopan Tablet

Common

• Dry mouth
• Drowsiness
• Constipation
• Blurred vision
• Increased heart rate
• Redness of the skin
• Abnormal sweating or reduced sweating
• Difficulty passing urine
• Small blisters on hands and feet
• Nausea
• Diarrhea

Serious

• Allergic reactions such as rash, itching, hives, or swelling
• Difficulty breathing, wheezing, or shortness of breath
• Severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis/anaphylactic shock) with shortness of breath and shock
• Eye pain, visual disturbances, or painful red eye with loss of vision (possible glaucoma)
• Fast or irregular heart beat (palpitations)
• Being unable to pass urine

Warnings and precautions

• Do not use this medicine if you are allergic to hyoscine butylbromide or any of its ingredients.
• Do not use if you have myasthenia gravis, a condition in which the muscles become weak and tire easily.
• Do not use if you have glaucoma (high pressure in the eye).
• Do not use if you have a suspected or confirmed blockage of the bowel or stomach, or a very enlarged bowel (megacolon).
• Do not use if you have a fast heart rate (tachyarrhythmia).
• Do not use if you have prostate problems that cause difficulty passing urine.
• This medicine should not be taken continuously every day or for long periods without your doctor first finding the cause of your abdominal pain.
• People with a rare condition called fructose intolerance should not take this medicine because it contains sugar (sucrose).
• Check with your doctor if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant. As a precaution, it is best to avoid this medicine during pregnancy.
• Talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. As a precaution, it is best to avoid this medicine while breastfeeding.
• Consult your doctor, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional before taking this medicine if you have abnormal kidney function.
• Consult your doctor, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional before taking this medicine if you have abnormal liver function.
• Do not drink alcohol after taking Buscopan, as alcohol may increase the chance of side effects such as drowsiness.
• Some people may have temporary blurred vision or dizziness while taking this medicine. If this happens, wait until your vision returns to normal before driving or using tools or machinery.

Storage

• Store below 25°C in a dry place
• Keep away from moisture and sunlight
• Keep out of reach of children
• Do not store above 30°C
• Keep tablets in the original package
• Do not use after the expiry date
• Return unused or expired medicine to your pharmacist for safe disposal
• Do not dispose of unused medicine in drains or sewerage systems

When to see a doctor

• Call your doctor right away if your pain is severe or does not improve within 48 hours of taking this medicine.
• Get medical help immediately if your abdominal pain continues, worsens, or occurs along with fever, nausea, vomiting, changes in bowel movements, fainting, or blood in your stool.
• Stop taking this medicine and see a doctor right away if you notice signs of a serious allergic reaction, such as rash, swelling, wheezing, or difficulty breathing — you may need urgent medical treatment.
• If you get a painful, red eye with loss of vision after taking this medicine, stop taking it and tell your doctor immediately, as this may be a sign of glaucoma needing urgent medical attention.
• If you think you have taken too much of this medicine, seek urgent medical attention right away, even if you feel fine.

Alternatives

• BUSCOPAN 0.1% syrup
• Buscopan Plus
• Dicyclomine
• Mebeverine