Hyoscyamine, Hyoscyamine ER, Hyosyne, Nulev, Hyoscyamine SL, Oscimin

Introduction

Written by Patricia Weiser, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Victor Nguyen, PharmD, MBA
Updated on August 24, 2023

Hyoscyamine (HYE oh SYE a meen) is a generic medication prescribed for certain conditions affecting the gastrointestinal (GI) system. It’s also prescribed for other conditions. Hyoscyamine belongs to a group of drugs called anticholinergics.

Doctors may prescribe hyoscyamine to treat or manage the symptoms of:

• certain conditions affecting the GI system, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• certain bladder or kidney problems
• parkinsonism (movement disorders, such as Parkinson’s disease)
• rhinitis (runny nose)

Doctors may also prescribe hyoscyamine to aid in anesthesia during surgery.

These uses may differ based on the form of hyoscyamine your doctor prescribes.

Note: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved hyoscyamine. This is because the drug has been available since before the FDA began its drug approval process. If you have questions about this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

This article doesn’t provide coupons for all forms of hyoscyamine. To find coupons for hyoscyamine’s other forms, see these articles:

• hyoscyamine extended-release oral tablet
• hyoscyamine oral disintegrating tablet

Common questions about hyoscyamine

Below you’ll find answers to a few commonly asked questions about hyoscyamine.

Is hyoscyamine a ‘narcotic’?

No, hyoscyamine isn’t a narcotic. Narcotics are drugs that are similar to opium. They provide pain relief but are highly addictive. Examples of narcotics include morphine and hydromorphone.

Narcotics are sometimes used in anesthesia during surgery to assist with pain management. In some cases, doctors prescribe hyoscyamine as part of anesthesia during surgery. But hyoscyamine isn’t a narcotic or a controlled substance. (A controlled substance is a drug the government regulates due to the risk of dependence or misuse.)

In addition, doctors may prescribe hyoscyamine along with morphine or other narcotics to relieve pain caused by biliary and renal colic. (“Biliary and renal colic” refers to a type of pain caused by gallstones, kidney stones, or something else causing a blockage in the gallbladder or kidneys.)

If you have questions about hyoscyamine or narcotics, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

What brand names are available for hyoscyamine?

Hyoscyamine is a generic drug. Brand-name drugs that contain hyoscyamine include:

• Anaspaz
• Hyosyne
• Levbid
• Levsin
• Levsin SL
• NuLev
• Oscimin

A generic medication is an identical copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. (An active drug is the ingredient that makes a drug work.) Generic drugs are believed to be as effective and safe as brand-name drugs. And generic drugs typically cost less compared to brand-name drugs.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about how hyoscyamine compares to brand-name drugs.

Is hyoscyamine available over the counter?

No, hyoscyamine isn’t available over the counter. Hyoscyamine is a prescription drug.

In some cases, over-the-counter (OTC) medications can be used to relieve some symptoms of the conditions that hyoscyamine is prescribed to treat.

For example, doctors may prescribe hyoscyamine to manage irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). IBS can cause diarrhea or constipation. In some cases, doctors may recommend OTC anti-diarrheal medications or laxatives to manage IBS symptoms.

If you have questions about hyoscyamine or OTC medications, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

How does hyoscyamine work? And how long does it take to start working?

Hyoscyamine works by blocking the actions of acetylcholine. Acetylcholine is a chemical messenger involved in muscle contraction among other body functions. When hyoscyamine blocks acetylcholine, the drug helps stop muscle contractions or spasms.

Acetylcholine also plays a role in producing various body fluids, such as saliva and stomach acid. By blocking acetylcholine, hyoscyamine works to reduce the production of these body fluids.

Hyoscyamine comes in immediate- and extended-release forms. The immediate-release form begins working right away, while the extended-release form requires a few hours to start working.

If you’d like to know more about this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Uses of hyoscyamine

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs for certain conditions. Common uses for hyoscyamine are described below. These uses may differ based on the form of hyoscyamine your doctor prescribes.

Hyoscyamine is a prescription drug, but the FDA has not approved it. This is because the drug has been available since before the FDA began its drug approval process. If you have questions about this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Use for certain gastrointestinal conditions

Doctors may prescribe hyoscyamine for treating certain conditions affecting the gastrointestinal (GI) system. It’s used for this purpose in adults and some children. It’s prescribed as a short- or long-term treatment, depending on the GI condition.

Examples of GI conditions that doctors may prescribe oral forms of hyoscyamine to treat include:

• irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• neurogenic bowel, which occurs when nerve damage causes problems with bowel movements
• peptic ulcer disease (sores in the GI tract due to excess stomach acid)
• GI disorders that involve inflammation of the intestines, such as dysentery, diverticulitis, and enterocolitis
• management of stomach acid production
• management of abdominal cramps or GI spasms

In addition, doctors may prescribe and administer hyoscyamine injection to:

• reduce movement of the GI tract during diagnostic tests or procedures*
• reduce symptoms of pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas, an organ involved in digestion)*

Symptoms of GI conditions vary with the specific condition, but may include diarrhea, constipation, or abdominal pain.

Doctors may prescribe other medications for these uses in addition to hyoscyamine.

* For this use, doctors may prescribe and administer the injection form of hyoscyamine.

Use for certain bladder or kidney problems

Doctors may prescribe hyoscyamine for treating certain bladder or kidney problems. It’s used for this purpose in adults and some children. It’s usually prescribed as a short-term treatment.

Doctors may prescribe oral forms of hyoscyamine or hyoscyamine injection for the following uses related to the bladder or kidneys:

• to reduce muscle spasms of the bladder
• to reduce symptoms of cystitis (bladder infection causing inflammation), such as frequent urge to urinate or feeling as if your bladder is full after you’ve emptied your bladder
• neurogenic bladder, which occurs when nerve damage causes problems controlling the bladder
• to improve visibility of the kidneys for certain radiology imaging tests
• to relieve symptoms of biliary and renal colic (“Biliary and renal colic” refers to a type of pain caused by gallstones, kidney stones, or something else blocking the usual flow of fluids from gallbladder or kidneys.)

Doctors may prescribe other medications for these uses along with hyoscyamine. Hyoscyamine is prescribed together with morphine or other pain medications for relieving symptoms of biliary and renal colic.

Use for managing certain symptoms of parkinsonism

Doctors may prescribe hyoscyamine for managing certain symptoms of parkinsonism (movement disorders, such as Parkinson’s disease). It’s used for this purpose in adults. It’s usually prescribed as a long-term treatment.

With parkinsonism, you have problems with your nerves and movements. Hyoscyamine may be prescribed to reduce the following symptoms of parkinsonism:

• muscle rigidity
• tremors
• drooling
• excess sweating

Doctors may prescribe other medications for this purpose along with hyoscyamine.

Use for runny nose

Doctors may prescribe hyoscyamine tablets, elixir, solution, dissolving tablets, or extended-release tablets for treating symptoms of rhinitis (runny nose). It’s used for this purpose in adults and children. It’s usually prescribed as a short-term treatment.

With a runny nose, the nasal passages become inflamed due to allergies, irritation, or an infection. You may have mucus dripping from your nostrils or down the back of your throat.

Use to aid in anesthesia

Doctors may prescribe hyoscyamine injection to aid in anesthesia. It’s used for this purpose in adults and children ages 2 years and older. It’s usually prescribed as a short-term treatment.

Anesthesia is given to cause a temporary state of sleep, numbness, and stillness during surgery. To help you breathe during anesthesia, doctors place a breathing tube in your airway (intubation). However, the body tries to fight against the breathing tube by producing excess saliva and activating certain reflexes.

Hyoscyamine may be given along with anesthesia drugs to reduce saliva production and block these reflexes. This allows for smoother intubation and anesthesia procedures.

Side effects of hyoscyamine

Hyoscyamine may cause mild or serious side effects. More common mild side effects of hyoscyamine and its serious side effects are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of the drug. Side effects can vary based on your age, overall health, and any other medications you take.

To learn more about hyoscyamine’s side effects, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also refer to the prescribing information for hyoscyamine listed in the “Resources” section.

Mild side effects

More common mild side effects reported with hyoscyamine are listed below. These side effects may differ based on the form of hyoscyamine your doctor prescribes.

This article doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. To learn more about hyoscyamine’s side effects based on the form, refer to the prescribing information for hyoscyamine listed in the “Resources” section.

With many drugs, mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If the side effects are bothersome, tell your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest ways to manage them.

Mild side effects of hyoscyamine, including hyoscyamine sublingual tablet and hyoscyamine injection, include:

• drowsiness
• dry mouth
• headache
• urinary retention (being unable to completely empty your bladder)
• mild allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for hyoscyamine” section.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects of hyoscyamine are listed below. These side effects may differ based on the form of hyoscyamine your doctor prescribes.

This article doesn’t include all possible serious side effects of the drug. To learn more about hyoscyamine’s side effects based on the form, refer to the prescribing information for hyoscyamine listed in the “Resources” section.

With many drugs, serious side effects are possible but not common. If you have serious side effects from this drug, call your doctor right away. If you’re having severe symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.

In general, hyoscyamine’s serious side effects include:

• problems with balance and coordination
• blurred vision
• fever
• heart palpitations
• increased risk of heatstroke
• increased heart rate
• increased pressure in the eye
• confusion and problems with speech or communication
• severe allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for hyoscyamine” section.

Interactions and warnings for hyoscyamine

Below, you’ll find information about hyoscyamine’s possible interactions and warnings.

Interactions of hyoscyamine

Certain things may affect how a drug works. These include getting vaccines, consuming alcohol or certain foods, or taking the drug with other medications. This effect is called a drug interaction.

Before you take hyoscyamine, ask your doctor to check for possible interactions. Be sure to tell them about any of the following you take or use:

• prescription or over-the-counter drugs
• vitamins, herbs, or supplements

To learn about drug-condition interactions, see the “Warnings for hyoscyamine” section below.

Warnings for hyoscyamine

Some people should not take hyoscyamine, and others should take it cautiously.

Hyoscyamine could cause harm to people with certain health conditions. This effect is called a drug-condition interaction. Other factors can also affect whether hyoscyamine is a safe option for you. These warnings may differ based on the form of hyoscyamine you take.

Ask your doctor about specific warnings for hyoscyamine, and be sure to tell your doctor about your:

• current health, including any allergies to medications
• past health conditions or surgeries

Allergic reaction

Hyoscyamine can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.

If you’ve had an allergic reaction to hyoscyamine or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe hyoscyamine. They can tell you about medications that are safer options for you.

A mild allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• skin rash
• itchiness
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

A severe allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• swelling under your skin, usually in your hands, feet, eyelids, or lips
• swelling of your mouth, throat, or tongue, which can cause breathing problems

If you have an allergic reaction to hyoscyamine, call your doctor right away. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number.

Overdose of hyoscyamine

If you take hyoscyamine by mouth, you should not take more hyoscyamine than your doctor prescribes. For some drugs, doing so may lead to harmful effects or overdose.

If you think you’ve taken too much hyoscyamine, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have concerning symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding and hyoscyamine

Information about hyoscyamine and pregnancy and breastfeeding is described below.

Hyoscyamine and pregnancy

It’s not known whether hyoscyamine should be taken during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.

Hyoscyamine and breastfeeding
There are risks to taking hyoscyamine while breastfeeding.

For instance, hyoscyamine may cause fever or sleep disturbances in a breastfed child.

If you’re planning to breastfeed, talk with your doctor about treatment options. Together, you can discuss the risks and benefits of your treatment options and decide whether you should take hyoscyamine during this time. Your doctor may recommend other healthy ways to feed your child.

What to ask your doctor

Let your doctor know if you have questions about hyoscyamine or would like more details about it.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• What do I do if I miss a dose of hyoscyamine?
• Should I continue taking my other medications and dietary supplements with hyoscyamine?
• How does hyoscyamine sublingual tablet compare to other medications for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)?

Note: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved hyoscyamine. This is because the drug has been available since before the FDA began its drug approval process. If you have questions about this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Resources

• Hyoscyamine sulfate elixir, solution, and tablet. (2022). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/526399a7-03ea-4d09-8dcd-d5cb012ab5c5/spl-doc
• Hyoscyamine sulfate injection, solution. (2022). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/6c0a1fef-c634-4ecf-9850-d188e6496b90/spl-doc
• Hyoscyamine sulfate tablet, extended release. (2022). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/d02d1b0d-5c40-c5aa-b283-74efd7d1e06b/spl-doc
• Hyoscyamine sulfate tablet, orally disintegrating. (2022). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/eef6babc-241f-40b6-b8c8-daa92bbd0a25/spl-doc
• Hyoscyamine sulfate tablet. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/3749da41-19f3-46b2-887d-7f8ae2268700/spl-doc

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.