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Uses

What is hyoscyamine used for?

Hyoscyamine is commonly used for the following conditions. 

Hyoscyamine may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

Note: The FDA has not found this medicine to be safe and effective, and the label is not approved by the FDA. Learn more about unapproved drugs here.

How does hyoscyamine work (mechanism of action)?

Hyoscyamine blocks the action of a specific chemical messenger (neurotransmitter) called acetylcholine. This can help relax specific muscles, affect your central nervous system (which affects your brain and spinal cord), and affect specific glands in your body that secrete sweat, saliva, milk, and stomach fluids. 

How is hyoscyamine supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Anaspaz
  • Cystospaz
  • NuLev
  • Levbid
  • Levsin
  • Symax

Dosage forms and strengths

  • 0.375 mg extended-release oral tablets
  • 0.125 mg oral tablets
  • 0.125 mg/5 mL oral elixir
  • 0.125 mg/mL oral solution (drops)
  • 0.125 mg orally disintegrating tablets
  • 0.125 mg sublingual tablets

How should I store hyoscyamine?

Hyoscyamine should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F and 77 F (20 C and 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F and 86 F (15 C and 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when you’re transporting it. Store it in a cool, dry place.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of hyoscyamine?

The most common side effects of hyoscyamine are listed below. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Dry mouth 
  • Problems peeing
  • Blurred vision
  • Decreased sweating
  • Fast heartbeat or feeling of skipped heartbeats
  • Dilated pupils
  • Headache
  • Drowsiness or dizziness
  • Tiredness or weakness
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Constipation or diarrhea
  • Bloating or stomach pain

There may be other side effects of hyoscyamine that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of hyoscyamine?

While less common, the most serious side effects of hyoscyamine are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Hyoscyamine may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking hyoscyamine and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Heat Exhaustion or Heatstroke. Hyoscyamine can make you less able to control your body temperature. This could make you very hot, especially in hot weather. Call your health care provider right away if you have the following symptoms of heat-related illness.

  • Decreased sweating
  • Dizziness
  • Tiredness
  • Nausea
  • Increased body temperature

Decreased Alertness or Coordination. Hyoscyamine can affect your alertness or coordination. Do not drive or do other activities that require alertness or coordination until you know how hyoscyamine affects you.

Hallucinations or Psychotic-like Behaviors. Hyoscyamine may cause hallucinations or psychotic-like behaviors. Tell your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms, or if you have been told by others you have these symptoms.

  • Hearing, seeing, smelling, tasting, or otherwise perceiving things that others do not
  • Delusional thoughts, such as false beliefs that you are being controlled
  • Disorganized thoughts, such as jumping between topics or having a hard time focusing
  • Sudden decline in self-care, such as personal hygiene or academic/work performance
  • Aggressive behavior
  • Confusion or memory loss

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use hyoscyamine?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take hyoscyamine.

  • Hyoscyamine
  • Anaspaz
  • Cystospaz
  • NuLev
  • Levbid
  • Levsin
  • Symax
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific hyoscyamine products they stock.

Do not take hyoscyamine if you have any of the following conditions.

What should I know about hyoscyamine before using it?

Do not take hyoscyamine unless it has been prescribed to you by a health care provider. Take it as prescribed.

Do not share hyoscyamine with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep hyoscyamine out of the reach of children.

Use an accurate measuring device to measure your dose of hyoscyamine elixir. A household spoon is not an accurate measuring device and may cause you to take the wrong dose. Ask your pharmacist what measuring device to use.

Do not crush or chew hyoscyamine extended-release tablets. Your body may not completely break down hyoscyamine extended-release tablets. You may see some parts of the tablet in your poop. This is normal. 

Try to avoid hot weather and stay hydrated while taking hyoscyamine to help prevent heatstroke. 

What should I tell my health care provider before using hyoscyamine?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if hyoscyamine is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

Other Medicines and Supplements. Hyoscyamine may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before taking hyoscyamine, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Stomach Surgery. Tell your health care provider if you have ever had a type of stomach surgery called an ileostomy or colostomy. 

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how hyoscyamine could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Your health care provider will let you know if you should take hyoscyamine while you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant.

Breastfeeding. Hyoscyamine passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your health care provider will let you know if you should take hyoscyamine while breastfeeding.

Interactions

Does hyoscyamine interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between hyoscyamine and foods or drinks.

The risk of drowsiness and dizziness may be increased if you drink alcohol while taking hyoscyamine. It is best to limit the amount of alcohol you drink.

Does hyoscyamine interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking hyoscyamine.

  • Scopolamine, which is a medicine that helps prevent nausea and vomiting
  • Atropine (Isopto Atropine), which is an eye drop medicine that is used to treat lazy eye
  • Amantadine (Govori), which is a medicine that may be used to treat Parkinson’s disease
  • Haloperidol (Haldol), which is a medicine used to treat certain mental health conditions
  • A phenothiazine, such as chlorpromazine or prochlorperazine (Compro and others), which is a medicine that may be used to treat certain mental health conditions or severe nausea and vomiting
  • A monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), which is a medicine usually used for depression or Parkinson’s disease
  • A tricyclic antidepressant, such as amitriptyline, nortriptyline, or protriptyline, even if it is not used for depression
  • An antihistamine, such as chlorpheniramine or diphenhydramine (Benadryl), which is a medicine commonly used to treat allergy symptoms
  • An antacid containing calcium, aluminum, magnesium, or iron

Hyoscyamine may affect the absorption of some other medicines. Tell your health care provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with hyoscyamine. Always check with your health care provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much hyoscyamine?

If you or someone else has used too much hyoscyamine, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of hyoscyamine?

Hyoscyamine can be prescribed by your health care provider to be taken on a schedule. The medicine can also be prescribed to take as needed. Talk to your health care provider about how you should take hyoscyamine.

If you are taking hyoscyamine on a schedule and you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and only take the next dose. Do not take double or extra doses. 

If you are taking hyoscyamine as needed, take it as your health care provider recommends. Do not take double or extra doses.