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AHFS Consumer Medication Information [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): American Society of Health-System Pharmacists; 2000-2011.

AHFS Consumer Medication Information.

Hyoscyamine(hye oh sye' a meen)

Last Revision: September 1, 2010.

Why is this medication prescribed?

Hyoscyamine is used to control symptoms associated with disorders of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. It works by decreasing the motion of the stomach and intestines and the secretion of stomach fluids, including acid. Hyoscyamine is also used in the treatment of bladder spasms, peptic ulcer disease, diverticulitis, colic, irritable bowel syndrome, cystitis, and pancreatitis. Hyoscyamine may also be used to treat certain heart conditions, to control the symptoms of Parkinson's disease and rhinitis (runny nose), and to reduce excess saliva production.

How should this medicine be used?

Hyoscyamine comes as a tablet, an extended-release (long-acting) capsule, and a liquid to take by mouth. The tablets and liquid are usually taken three or four times a day. The extended-release capsules are usually taken twice a day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take hyoscyamine exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Swallow the extended-release tablets whole; do not split, chew, or crush them.

Hyoscyamine controls symptoms associated with disorders of the GI tract, but it does not cure the disorders. Continue to take hyoscyamine even if you feel well. Do not stop taking hyoscyamine without talking to your doctor.

Other uses for this medicine

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

What special precautions should I follow?

Before taking hyoscyamine,

  • tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to hyoscyamine, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in hyoscyamine tablets, capsules, or liquid. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.

  • tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking pr plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: amantadine (Symadine, Symmetrel), amitriptyline (Elavil), chlorpromazine (Thorazine), clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), doxepin (Sinequan), fluphenazine (Prolixin), haloperidol (Haldol), imipramine (Tofranil), medications containing belladonna (Donnatal), mesoridazine (Serentil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), perphenazine (Trilafon), phenelzine (Nardil), prochlorperazine (Compazine), promazine (Sparine), promethazine (Phenergan), protriptyline (Vivactil), thioridazine (Mellaril), tranylcypromine (Parnate), trifluoperazine (Stelazine), triflupromazine (Vesprin), trimeprazine (Temaril), and trimipramine (Surmontil). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.

  • be aware that antacids may interfere with hyoscyamine, making it less effective. Take hyoscyamine 1 hour before or 2 hours after antacids.

  • tell your doctor if you have or have ever had glaucoma; heart, lung, liver, or kidney disease; a urinary tract or intestinal obstruction; an enlarged prostate; ulcerative colitis; or myasthenia gravis.

  • tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking hyoscyamine, call your doctor.

  • talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking hyoscyamine if you are 65 years of age or older. Older adults should not usually take hyoscyamine because it is not as safe and may not be as effective as other medications that can be used to treat the same condition.

  • if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you take hyoscyamine.

  • you should know that this medication may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how hyoscyamine affects you.

  • ask your doctor about the safe use of alcohol during your treatment with hyoscyamine. Alcohol can make the side effects of this medication worse.

What special dietary instructions should I follow?

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

What should I do if I forget a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

What side effects can this medication cause?

Hyoscyamine may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

  • drowsiness

  • dizziness or lightheadedness

  • headache

  • blurred vision

  • flushing (feeling of warmth)

  • dry mouth

  • constipation

  • difficulty urinating

  • increased sensitivity to light

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

  • diarrhea

  • skin rash

  • eye pain

  • fast or irregular heartbeat

Hyoscyamine may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while you are taking this medication.

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].

What storage conditions are needed for this medicine?

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.

In case of emergency/overdose

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.

What other information should I know?

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.

This report on medications is for your information only, and is not considered individual patient advice. Because of the changing nature of drug information, please consult your physician or pharmacist about specific clinical use.

The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. represents that the information provided hereunder was formulated with a reasonable standard of care, and in conformity with professional standards in the field. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. makes no representations or warranties, express or implied, including, but not limited to, any implied warranty of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose, with respect to such information and specifically disclaims all such warranties. Users are advised that decisions regarding drug therapy are complex medical decisions requiring the independent, informed decision of an appropriate health care professional, and the information is provided for informational purposes only. The entire monograph for a drug should be reviewed for a thorough understanding of the drug's actions, uses and side effects. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. does not endorse or recommend the use of any drug. The information is not a substitute for medical care.

AHFS® Consumer Medication Information. © Copyright, 2011. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc., 7272 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, Maryland. All Rights Reserved. Duplication for commercial use must be authorized by ASHP.

The following brand names are from RxNorm, a standardized nomenclature for clinical drugs produced by the National Library of Medicine:

Brand names

  • A-Spas

  • Anaspaz

  • Colidrops Pediatric

  • Cystospaz

  • Cystospaz-M

  • Dispas

  • Donnamar

  • Ed Spaz

  • HSS

  • Hyco Elixir

  • HyoMax

  • Hyosol

  • Hyospaz

  • Levbid

  • Levsin

  • Levsinex

  • Liqui-Sooth

  • Medispaz

  • Neosol

  • Nulev

  • Oscimin

  • Spacol

  • Spasdel

  • Symax

Brand names of combination products

  • Alkabel (containing Atropine, Hyoscyamine, Phenobarbital, and Scopolamine)

  • Antispas (containing Atropine, Hyoscyamine, Phenobarbital, and Scopolamine)

  • Atrohist Plus (containing Atropine, Chlorpheniramine, Hyoscyamine, Phenylephrine, Phenylpropanolamine, and Scopolamine)

  • Atrosept (containing Atropine, Benzoate, Hyoscyamine, Methenamine, Methylene blue, and phenyl salicylate)

  • Barbidonna (containing Atropine, Hyoscyamine, Phenobarbital, and Scopolamine)

  • Barophen (containing Atropine, Hyoscyamine, Phenobarbital, and Scopolamine)

  • Bellalphen (containing Atropine, Hyoscyamine, Phenobarbital, and Scopolamine)

  • Bellatal (containing Atropine, Hyoscyamine, Phenobarbital, and Scopolamine)

  • Chardonna-2 (containing Atropine, Hyoscyamine, Phenobarbital, and Scopolamine)

  • Colidrops (containing Atropine, Hyoscyamine, Phenobarbital, and Scopolamine)

  • Cystemms-V (containing Atropine, Benzoate, Hyoscyamine, Methenamine, Methylene blue, and phenyl salicylate)

  • D-Tal (containing Atropine, Hyoscyamine, Phenobarbital, and Scopolamine)

  • Darcalma (containing Hyoscyamine, Methenamine, Methylene blue, Sodium Phosphate, Monobasic, and phenyl salicylate)

  • Deconhist LA (containing Atropine, Chlorpheniramine, Hyoscyamine, Phenylephrine, Phenylpropanolamine, and Scopolamine)

  • Digex (containing Hyoscyamine and phenyltoloxamine)

  • Dolsed (containing Atropine, Benzoate, Hyoscyamine, Methenamine, Methylene blue, and phenyl salicylate)

  • Donnaphen (containing Atropine, Hyoscyamine, Phenobarbital, and Scopolamine)

  • Donnapine (containing Atropine, Hyoscyamine, Phenobarbital, and Scopolamine)

  • Donnatal (containing Atropine, Hyoscyamine, Phenobarbital, and Scopolamine)

  • Elixiral (containing Atropine, Hyoscyamine, Phenobarbital, and Scopolamine)

  • Haponal (containing Atropine, Hyoscyamine, Phenobarbital, and Scopolamine)

  • Hyophen (containing Benzoate, Hyoscyamine, Methenamine, Methylene blue, and phenyl salicylate)

  • Hyosophen (containing Atropine, Hyoscyamine, Phenobarbital, and Scopolamine)

  • Hypersed (containing Atropine, Hyoscyamine, Phenobarbital, and Scopolamine)

  • Levsin with Phenobarbital (containing Hyoscyamine and Phenobarbital)

  • MHP-A (containing Atropine, Benzoate, Hyoscyamine, Methenamine, Methylene blue, and phenyl salicylate)

  • MSP-Blu (containing Hyoscyamine, Methenamine, Methylene blue, Sodium Phosphate, Monobasic, and phenyl salicylate)

  • Malatal (containing Atropine, Hyoscyamine, Phenobarbital, and Scopolamine)

  • Phenchlor S.H.A. (containing Atropine, Chlorpheniramine, Hyoscyamine, Phenylephrine, Phenylpropanolamine, and Scopolamine)

  • Phenobel (containing Atropine, Hyoscyamine, Phenobarbital, and Scopolamine)

  • Phosphasal (containing Hyoscyamine, Methenamine, Methylene blue, Sodium Phosphate, Monobasic, and phenyl salicylate)

  • Prosed (containing Atropine, Benzoate, Hyoscyamine, Methenamine, Methylene blue, and phenyl salicylate)

  • Prosed DS (containing Benzoate, Hyoscyamine, Methenamine, Methylene blue, and phenyl salicylate)

  • Protuss Tablet (containing Atropine, Chlorpheniramine, Hyoscyamine, Phenylephrine, Phenylpropanolamine, and Scopolamine)

  • Pyrelle (containing Hyoscyamine, Phenazopyridine, and butabarbital)

  • Pyridium Plus (containing Hyoscyamine, Phenazopyridine, and butabarbital)

  • Q-Tuss (containing Atropine, Chlorpheniramine, Hyoscyamine, Phenylephrine, Phenylpropanolamine, and Scopolamine)

  • Respa-A.R.M. (containing Atropine, Chlorpheniramine, Hyoscyamine, Phenylephrine, Phenylpropanolamine, and Scopolamine)

  • Rolatuss-SR (containing Atropine, Chlorpheniramine, Hyoscyamine, Phenylephrine, Phenylpropanolamine, and Scopolamine)

  • Ru-Tab (containing Atropine, Chlorpheniramine, Hyoscyamine, Phenylephrine, Phenylpropanolamine, and Scopolamine)

  • Rutuss (containing Atropine, Chlorpheniramine, Hyoscyamine, Phenylephrine, Phenylpropanolamine, and Scopolamine)

  • Servira (containing Atropine, Hyoscyamine, Phenobarbital, and Scopolamine)

  • Spacol Tablet (containing Atropine, Hyoscyamine, Phenobarbital, and Scopolamine)

  • Spasmolin (containing Atropine, Hyoscyamine, Phenobarbital, and Scopolamine)

  • Spasquid (containing Atropine, Hyoscyamine, Phenobarbital, and Scopolamine)

  • Spastolate (containing Atropine, Hyoscyamine, Phenobarbital, and Scopolamine)

  • Stahist (containing Atropine, Chlorpheniramine, Hyoscyamine, Phenylephrine, Phenylpropanolamine, and Scopolamine)

  • Trac Tabs 2x (containing Atropine, Benzoate, Hyoscyamine, Methenamine, Methylene blue, and phenyl salicylate)

  • Trahist (containing Atropine, Chlorpheniramine, Hyoscyamine, Pseudoephedrine, and Scopolamine)

  • UAA (containing Atropine, Benzoate, Hyoscyamine, Methenamine, Methylene blue, and phenyl salicylate)

  • UTA Capsule (containing Hyoscyamine, Methenamine, Methylene blue, Sodium Phosphate, Monobasic, and phenyl salicylate)

  • UTICAP (containing Hyoscyamine, Methenamine, Methylene blue, Sodium Phosphate, Monobasic, and phenyl salicylate)

  • Urapine (containing Atropine, Benzoate, Hyoscyamine, Methenamine, Methylene blue, and phenyl salicylate)

  • Urelief (containing Hyoscyamine, Phenazopyridine, and butabarbital)

  • Urelle (containing Hyoscyamine, Methenamine, Methylene blue, Sodium Phosphate, Monobasic, and phenyl salicylate)

  • Uretron (containing Atropine, Benzoate, Hyoscyamine, Methenamine, Methylene blue, and phenyl salicylate)

  • Uretron DS (containing Hyoscyamine, Methenamine, Methylene blue, Sodium Phosphate, Monobasic, and phenyl salicylate)

  • Uri-Sep SC (containing Atropine, Benzoate, Hyoscyamine, Methenamine, Methylene blue, and phenyl salicylate)

  • Uribel (containing Hyoscyamine, Methenamine, Methylene blue, Sodium Phosphate, Monobasic, and phenyl salicylate)

  • Uridon Modified (containing Atropine, Benzoate, Hyoscyamine, Methenamine, Methylene blue, and phenyl salicylate)

  • Urimar T (containing Atropine, Benzoate, Hyoscyamine, Methenamine, Methylene blue, and phenyl salicylate)

  • Urimax (containing Hyoscyamine, Methenamine, Methylene blue, Sodium Phosphate, Monobasic, and phenyl salicylate)

  • Urised (containing Atropine, Benzoate, Hyoscyamine, Methenamine, Methylene blue, and phenyl salicylate)

  • Urisedamine (containing Hyoscyamine and Methenamine)

  • Uritact (containing Atropine, Benzoate, Hyoscyamine, Methenamine, Methylene blue, and phenyl salicylate)

  • Uritin (containing Atropine, Benzoate, Hyoscyamine, Methenamine, Methylene blue, and phenyl salicylate)

  • Uro Blue (containing Hyoscyamine, Methenamine, Methylene blue, Sodium Phosphate, Monobasic, and phenyl salicylate)

  • Urogesic Blue Reformulated Apr 2012 (containing Hyoscyamine, Methenamine, Methylene blue, and Sodium Phosphate, Monobasic)

  • Usept (containing Atropine, Benzoate, Hyoscyamine, Methenamine, Methylene blue, and phenyl salicylate)

  • Ustell (containing Hyoscyamine, Methenamine, Methylene blue, Sodium Phosphate, Monobasic, and phenyl salicylate)

  • Utira (containing Hyoscyamine, Methenamine, Methylene blue, Sodium Phosphate, Monobasic, and phenyl salicylate)

  • Utira-C (containing Hyoscyamine, Methenamine, Methylene blue, Sodium Phosphate, Monobasic, and phenyl salicylate)

  • Utrona-C (containing Hyoscyamine, Methenamine, Methylene blue, Sodium Phosphate, Monobasic, and phenyl salicylate)

What works?

  • Treatment of amblyopia (lazy eye) with patching or drops/drug treatment Treatment of amblyopia (lazy eye) with patching or drops/drug treatment
    Amblyopia (referred to as lazy eye) is a common childhood condition, and is defined as defective visual acuity in one or both eyes, which is present with no demonstrable abnormality of the visual pathway and is not immediately resolved by wearing glasses. Treatment for amblyopia usually starts with prescribing necessary glasses to correct visually important refractive errors followed by promoting the use of the amblyopic eye. This systematic review aimed to synthesize the best available evidence regarding the effectiveness and safety of two different treatment options used to promote the use of the amblyopic eye: conventional occlusion (patching) and atropine penalization (drops). Conventional occlusion involves patching the non‐amblyopic eye with an opaque patch for a set number of hours per day. Atropine penalization involves the instillation of atropine sulphate to blur the eyesight of the better‐seeing eye.
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    Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a disorder that leads to abdominal pain and cramping, changes in bowel movements, and other symptoms.
  • Urge incontinence
    Urge incontinence is the strong, sudden need to urinate due to bladder spasms or contractions.
  • Peptic ulcer
    A peptic ulcer is a defect in the lining of the stomach or the first part of the small intestine, an area called the duodenum.
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    Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas. The pancreas is a gland located behind the stomach. It releases the hormones, insulin and glucagon, as well as digestive enzymes that help you digest and absorb food.
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    Parkinson's disease is a disorder of the brain that leads to shaking (tremors) and difficulty with walking, movement, and coordination.
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