Buscopan

Drug: Contains the active drug Hyoscine butylbromide (an antispasmodic)

Use: Buscopan is a smooth muscle (involuntary muscle) anti-spasmodic that is effective in relieving colicky abdominal pain, caused by painful spasms in the muscles of gastro-intestinal (digestive) system or the genito-urinary system.

Buscopan is indicated for the symptomatic relief of gastro-intestinal spasms (stomach and bowel cramps) associated with irritable bowel syndrome.

Buscopan is an an antimuscarinic drug which relaxes the muscle fibres that make up the walls of the digestive system (small intestines and colon and the bile duct) and urinary tract (bladder, ureters and urethra). This muscle usually contracts when exposed to the neurotransmitter acetylcholine released from parasympathetic nerves. If there is an overactivity of this muscle or too much acetylcholine released then this can cause the muscles to go into spasm which in turn causes pain.

The mechanism of action of Buscopan is that it blocks the muscarinic receptors found on the smooth muscle walls. Which means its blocks the action of acetylcholine on the receptors found within the smooth muscle of the gastrointestinal and urinary tract and thus reduces the spasms and contractions. This relaxes the muscle and thus reduced the pain from the cramps and spasms.

Dose:

The typical dose of Buscopan is 10mg 3 times a day but your doctor will advise you on the most suitable dosage for your symptoms. The adult dose may be increased if the pain gets worse, up to to 20mg 4 times (max 80mg/day). Do not exceed the max doseage.

Cautions:

Buscopan should be used with caution under the following conditions / situations:

• In elderly people
• If suffering from oesophageal reflux
• If suffering from diarrhoea
• In individuals withulcerative colitis
• In individuals with an overactive thyroid
• In individuals with high blood pressure
• In individuals with a high temperature (fever)
• Men with benign prostatic hyperplasia
• During pregnancy and breastfeeding

Contra-indications:

This drug should not be used under the following circumstances:

• Glaucoma
• Muscle weakeness e.g. Myasthenia Gravis
• Paralytic ileus
• Dilated colon (Megacolon)
• Fructose intolerance
• Pyloric stenosis
• Porphyria

Side effects:

Side effects of Buscopan affect different people in different ways and some are more common than others.

Side effects can include:

• Constipation
• Reduced ability to sweat
• Dry mouth
• Allergic skin reactions and rashes
• Flushing
• light sensitivity.
• Increase in heart rate (tachycardia).
• Urinary retention (difficulty in passing urine)
• Allergic reactions
• Confusion
• Nausea and vomiting
• Dizziness.

Interactions:

No known interactions following oral dose.

Note: The drug is manufactured by Boehringer Ingelheim and is found in the preperations Buscopan cramps and Buscopan IBS relief.