Hyoscyamine 0.125mg Oral Dis Tabs
Overview
What is this medicine?
How to Use This Medicine
To use this medication correctly, follow your doctor's instructions and read all the information provided. Take your dose 30 to 60 minutes before meals. It's essential to avoid taking antacids at the same time as this medication. If you have questions about taking antacids with this drug, consult your doctor.
To take this medication:
Place the tablet on your tongue and let it dissolve.
Some tablets can also be chewed, but check with your pharmacist if you're unsure about the correct method.
Remember not to swallow the tablet whole.
Storing and Disposing of Your Medication
Store your medication at room temperature in a dry place, avoiding the bathroom. Keep all medications in a safe location, out of the reach of children and pets. When disposing of unused or expired medication, do not flush it down the toilet or pour it down the drain unless instructed to do so. Instead, consult your pharmacist for guidance on the best disposal method or explore local drug take-back programs.
Missing a Dose
If you take this medication regularly and miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it's close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your normal schedule. Do not take two doses at the same time or extra doses. If you use this medication as needed, follow your doctor's instructions and avoid taking it more frequently than recommended.
Lifestyle & Tips
- Avoid activities requiring mental alertness or coordination (e.g., driving, operating machinery) until you know how the medication affects you, as it can cause dizziness or blurred vision.
- Avoid overheating and strenuous exercise in hot weather, as this medication can decrease sweating and increase the risk of heatstroke.
- Drink plenty of fluids to help with dry mouth and prevent constipation.
- Avoid alcohol, as it can increase drowsiness and other side effects.
- Inform your doctor or dentist that you are taking hyoscyamine before any medical or dental procedures.
Available Forms & Alternatives
Dosing & Administration
Adult Dosing
Condition-Specific Dosing:
Pediatric Dosing
Dose Adjustments
Renal Impairment:
Hepatic Impairment:
Pharmacology
Mechanism of Action
Pharmacokinetics
Absorption:
Distribution:
Elimination:
Pharmacodynamics
Safety & Warnings
Side Effects
While rare, some people may experience severe and potentially life-threatening side effects when taking this medication. If you notice any of the following symptoms, contact your doctor or seek immediate medical attention:
Signs of an allergic reaction, such as:
+ Rash
+ Hives
+ Itching
+ Red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever
+ Wheezing
+ Tightness in the chest or throat
+ Trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking
+ Unusual hoarseness
+ Swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat
Severe dizziness or fainting
Diarrhea
Confusion
Mood changes
Changes in behavior
Hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not there)
Memory problems or loss
Trouble sleeping
Changes in speech
Changes in balance
Changes in eyesight, eye pain, or severe eye irritation
Difficulty urinating
Inability to sweat during physical activity or in warm temperatures
Fever
Flushing
Abnormal or rapid heartbeat
Erectile dysfunction
Other Possible Side Effects
Like all medications, this drug can cause side effects. Although many people may not experience any side effects or only minor ones, it's essential to discuss any concerns with your doctor. If you experience any of the following side effects, or if they persist or bother you, contact your doctor:
Dizziness
Drowsiness
Fatigue
Weakness
Blurred vision
Constipation
Dry mouth
Dry eyes
Headache
Nausea or vomiting
Stomach pain
Changes in taste
Nervousness or excitability
Feeling full
Reporting Side Effects
This list is not exhaustive, and you may experience other side effects. If you have questions or concerns, contact your doctor. You can also report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088 or online at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.
Seek Immediate Medical Attention If You Experience:
- Severe dry mouth or difficulty swallowing
- Blurred vision or eye pain
- Difficulty urinating or inability to urinate
- Severe constipation
- Confusion, agitation, or hallucinations
- Fast or irregular heartbeat
- Skin rash or hives
Before Using This Medicine
It is essential to inform your doctor about the following:
Any allergies you have, including allergies to this medication, its components, or other substances, such as foods or drugs. Be sure to describe the allergic reaction you experienced, including any symptoms that occurred.
Certain health conditions, including:
+ Bowel blockage
+ Bleeding problems
+ Diarrhea
+ Enlarged colon
+ Glaucoma
+ Heart problems
+ Myasthenia gravis
+ Slow-moving gastrointestinal (GI) tract
+ Abnormalities of the esophagus
+ Ulcerative colitis
+ Difficulty urinating
Please note that this list is not exhaustive, and it is crucial to discuss all your health problems with your doctor.
Additionally, inform your doctor and pharmacist about all the medications you are taking, including:
Prescription medications
Over-the-counter (OTC) medications
Natural products
Vitamins
It is vital to verify that it is safe to take this medication with all your other medications and health conditions. Do not initiate, stop, or modify the dose of any medication without first consulting your doctor.
Precautions & Cautions
Before operating a vehicle or engaging in activities that require alertness and clear vision, wait until you understand how this medication affects you.
Consult your doctor before consuming alcohol, using marijuana or other cannabis products, or taking prescription or over-the-counter medications that may impair your reactions.
There is a risk of heat stroke associated with this medication, particularly in hot weather or during physical activity. Therefore, exercise caution in these situations.
To manage dry mouth, practice good oral hygiene, and consider sucking on hard, sugar-free candy or chewing sugar-free gum. Regular dental check-ups are also recommended.
If you are 65 years or older, use this medication with caution, as you may be more susceptible to side effects.
Note that different brands of this medication may be suitable for children of varying ages. Before administering this medication to a child, consult with their doctor.
When giving this medication to a child, use it with caution, as the risk of certain side effects may be higher in pediatric patients.
If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, inform your doctor. It is crucial to discuss the potential benefits and risks of this medication to both you and your baby.
Overdose Information
Overdose Symptoms:
- Severe dry mouth
- Dilated pupils (large pupils)
- Blurred vision
- Flushing (redness of skin)
- Hot, dry skin
- Fever
- Rapid heartbeat (tachycardia)
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness or extreme tiredness
- Restlessness, agitation, or nervousness
- Confusion, disorientation, or hallucinations
- Seizures
- Loss of consciousness
What to Do:
Seek immediate medical attention or call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Treatment is supportive and may include activated charcoal, physostigmine (antidote for severe anticholinergic toxicity), and measures to control hyperthermia and agitation.
Drug Interactions
Contraindicated Interactions
- Potassium chloride (solid oral dosage forms) - increased risk of GI lesions due to delayed transit time.
Major Interactions
- Other anticholinergics (e.g., atropine, scopolamine, dicyclomine, tricyclic antidepressants, antihistamines, phenothiazines, quinidine, disopyramide, amantadine) - additive anticholinergic effects (dry mouth, blurred vision, urinary retention, constipation, CNS effects).
- Opioid analgesics - increased risk of severe constipation and paralytic ileus.
- Digoxin - may increase digoxin levels due to delayed gastric emptying.
- Ketoconazole, Itraconazole - decreased absorption of antifungals due to increased gastric pH.
Moderate Interactions
- Antacids - may interfere with absorption of hyoscyamine ODT; administer hyoscyamine at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after antacids.
- Drugs that increase gastric pH (e.g., H2 blockers, PPIs) - may affect absorption of other drugs that require an acidic environment.
- Metoclopramide - antagonistic effects (hyoscyamine decreases GI motility, metoclopramide increases it).
Minor Interactions
- Not specifically categorized as minor, but general caution with any drug affecting GI motility or CNS.
Monitoring
Baseline Monitoring
Rationale: To establish baseline severity and guide treatment.
Timing: Prior to initiation of therapy
Rationale: Hyoscyamine can exacerbate urinary retention.
Timing: Prior to initiation of therapy
Rationale: Hyoscyamine is contraindicated in narrow-angle glaucoma.
Timing: Prior to initiation of therapy
Routine Monitoring
Frequency: Regularly during treatment, as needed
Target: Reduction in target symptoms (e.g., abdominal pain, spasms)
Action Threshold: Lack of efficacy may require dose adjustment or alternative therapy.
Frequency: Regularly during treatment, especially during dose titration
Target: Minimal to tolerable side effects
Action Threshold: Severe or intolerable side effects may require dose reduction or discontinuation.
Frequency: Regularly
Target: Maintain regular bowel movements
Action Threshold: Significant constipation may require intervention or dose adjustment.
Symptom Monitoring
- Dry mouth
- Blurred vision
- Constipation
- Urinary hesitancy or difficulty
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Confusion (especially in elderly)
- Tachycardia
- Flushing
- Fever
Special Patient Groups
Pregnancy
Category C. Use only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. Animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use of the drug in pregnant women despite potential risks.
Trimester-Specific Risks:
Lactation
Excreted into breast milk. Use with caution. May decrease milk production. Monitor infant for signs of anticholinergic effects (e.g., constipation, drowsiness, dry mouth).
Pediatric Use
Use with caution, especially in children under 2 years, as they may be more susceptible to the toxic effects of anticholinergic agents. Dosing must be carefully calculated based on age and weight. Risk of hyperthermia is increased in children.
Geriatric Use
Increased sensitivity to anticholinergic effects (e.g., confusion, memory impairment, urinary retention, constipation, dry mouth, blurred vision). Start with lower doses and titrate slowly. Avoid in elderly patients with cognitive impairment or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) with urinary retention.
Clinical Information
Clinical Pearls
- Hyoscyamine ODT offers rapid onset of action due to sublingual/buccal absorption, making it useful for acute spasm relief.
- Patients should be instructed not to chew or crush the ODT, but to allow it to dissolve on the tongue.
- Educate patients on common anticholinergic side effects and strategies to manage them (e.g., sugar-free candies/gum for dry mouth, increased fluid intake for constipation).
- Caution patients about the risk of heatstroke due to decreased sweating, especially during exercise or in hot environments.
- Hyoscyamine is often used as an adjunct therapy for conditions like IBS, peptic ulcer disease, and neurogenic bladder, rather than a sole treatment.
Alternative Therapies
- Dicyclomine (another anticholinergic antispasmodic)
- Atropine (for specific indications)
- Scopolamine (for specific indications, e.g., motion sickness)
- Mebeverine (not available in US)
- For IBS: Fiber supplements, antidiarrheals (loperamide), laxatives, tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), SSRIs, rifaximin, lubiprostone, linaclotide, eluxadoline.
- For overactive bladder: Oxybutynin, tolterodine, solifenacin, mirabegron.