Health Library

Hyoscyamine (By mouth)

Hyoscyamine (hye-oh-SYE-a-meen)

Reduces muscle activity, including muscle spasms in the digestive system. Dries and reduces secretions, such as reducing acid in the stomach. May treat allergy symptoms and several other conditions.

Brand Name(s):

Anaspaz, Ed-Spaz, Hyosyne, Levbid, Levsin, Levsin/SL, NuLev, Oscimin, Symax DuoTab, Symax FasTabs, Symax-SL, Symax-SR

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Tablet, Spray, Chewable Tablet, Dissolving Tablet, Long Acting Tablet, Long Acting Capsule, Liquid

• Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.
• Measure the oral liquid medicine with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup. If the medicine came with a dropper, use the dropper to measure each dose.
• Make sure your hands are dry before you handle the disintegrating tablet. Peel back the foil from the blister pack, then remove the tablet. Do not push the tablet through the foil. Place the tablet in your mouth. After it has melted, swallow or take a drink of water.
• Swallow the extended-release tablet whole. Do not crush, break, or chew it.
• Tablet: You might need to take the regular tablet about 30 minutes to 1 hour before you eat a meal. Ask your pharmacist about your specific brand.
• Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Some foods and medicines can affect how hyoscyamine works. Tell your doctor if you are also using any of the following:
  • Amantadine, ketoconazole, haloperidol, metoclopramide, potassium supplement
  • Antihistamine
  • Narcotic pain medicine
  • Phenothiazine medicine, including chlorpromazine, perphenazine, promethazine, prochlorperazine, thioridazine
  • MAO inhibitor
  • Tricyclic antidepressant
  • Medicine to treat or prevent diarrhea
• If you take an antacid, do not take it at the same time you take hyoscyamine. Take your hyoscyamine before a meal and then the antacid after the meal.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have glaucoma, trouble urinating, myasthenia gravis, overactive thyroid, kidney disease, high blood pressure, heart rhythm problems, heart disease, or autonomic neuropathy. Tell your doctor about all digestion problems, including colitis, reflux disease (GERD), blocked intestines, or gastric ulcer.
• This medicine may cause you to sweat less and overheat. Avoid hot temperatures.
• This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy or give you blurred vision. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Blurred vision that does not go away
• Fast heartbeat, dizziness
• Unusual behavior, such as confusion, memory loss, anxiety, trouble sleeping, or hallucinations

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Dry mouth

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088

Last Updated: 9/6/2024