Buscopan- Effects, dosage and usage notes

Posted by Pharmacist Nguyen Huy Khiem - Clinical Pharmacist - Faculty of Pharmacy - Vinmec Times City International Hospital

Buscopan is a muscle relaxant prescribed by doctors to reduce spasms of the gastrointestinal tract, and/or urinary-genital tract, thereby helping to improve symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, relieve pain. due to contraction. In order for the medicine to work at its best, the patient must strictly follow the instructions of the doctor or pharmacist.

Buscopan is a popular muscle relaxant and spasm reliever with the active ingredient being hyoscine butylbromide. Here are some information to keep in mind when using Buscopan medicine. In Vietnam, Buscopan drug has 2 main dosage forms, corresponding to 2 routes of drug administration:
Solution for infusion: Buscopan 20 mg/ml - route of administration: intramuscular injection, or intravenous infusion (diluted with Solvent NaCl 0.9% or Glucose 5% if needed) Tablets: Buscopan 10 mg – route of administration: oral

Buscopan is prescribed by doctors to relieve spasms of the gastrointestinal tract and or urinary tract - genitourinary, thereby helping to improve symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, reduce pain caused by spasms. The onset of action of the drug is relatively fast, within 15 minutes for the oral form and less for the infusion form.

Oral Buscopan dosage is indicated as follows:
Adults: 1-2 tablets/time, can be used up to 4 times/day Children > 6 years old: 1 tablet/time, can be used up to 3 times /day Infusion route:
Adults: 20 mg/time, can be repeated every 30 minutes if needed. The maximum dose should not exceed 100 mg/day.

Buscopan is a muscle relaxant, so caution should be exercised when using it in pregnant women and nursing mothers due to information on adverse effects on the fetus or drug concentrations and metabolites in breast milk. limited.
Side effects when using the drug are mainly encountered with the infusion line, including some unwanted reactions such as: blurred vision, increased heart rate, dry mouth, dizziness, ... Buscopan drugs when taken orally Absorbed into the systemic circulation in small amounts (<8%) but mainly show local effects, so the risk of experiencing these side effects is less.
Accordingly, Buscopan should not be used in patients with narrow-angle glaucoma, urinary retention due to prostate enlargement, paralytic ileus or gastrointestinal narrowing,... In addition, the drug may cause some adverse reactions. Effects on vision (blurred vision) or dizziness, caution should be exercised when performing activities requiring concentration such as driving or operating machinery while taking this medication.