Hyoscine/ Scopolamine belongs to a class of medications called anticholinergics. It mainly acts by reducing spasms in muscles and blocking the transmission of certain impulses that cause the responses of nausea and vomiting to the nervous system.
There are two types of Hyoscine available in the market: Hyoscine Butylbromide (Buscopan) and Hyoscine Hydrobromide (Joytrip/ Injectable Hyoscine). The differences are the choices of salts during preparation, which result in their different dosages and uses.
Hyoscine Butylbromide is usually used for treating stomach or intestinal spasms, as well as prevention or treatment of motion sickness. Hyoscine Hydrobromide is usually used for inducing preoperative sedation and the prevention or treatment of motion sickness.
In Hong Kong, Hyoscine Butylbromide is available in tablets, syrup, injection and patches, while Hyoscine Hydrobromide is only available in tablets (Joytrip) and injection.
If you are taking Hyoscine Butylbromide to treat stomach or intestinal spasms, dosages will be different with the types of spasms.
If your spasms are acute, you should take 10-20 mg daily. If your spasms are chronic, you should take 10 mg 3-5 times daily.
If you are using Hyoscine Butylbromide or Hyoscine Hydrobromide for motion sickness, the doses are different for different groups which are listed below:
For prevention of motion sickness
Hyoscine Butylbromide
Adult
Oral: take 0.15-0.3 mg before a journey. Repeat the dose every 6 hours if needed
Patches: Apply 1 patch behind the ear at least 4 hours before a journey
Hyoscine Hydrobromide
Adult
Oral: take 0.25-0.8 mg before a journey. Repeat the dose every 6 hours if needed
If you are taking oral Hyoscine or getting an injection, the side effects are dizziness, confusion, sleepiness, blurred vision, constipation, dry mouth, and irregular heart rhythms.
If you are using a Hyoscine patch, the common side effects include rashes, itchiness, sedation, and blurred vision.
Common dosing schedule:
Hyoscine can be taken with or without food.
Take Hyoscine when you have stomach spasms.
Take Hyoscine before a journey to prevent motion sickness.
This schedule is for reference only, adjustments may be made according to individual needs.
Some common medications Hyoscine may interact with:
Please notify your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking the above medication, dosage adjustments might be needed.
In Hong Kong, Hyoscine tablets (Buscopan), syrup and patches (Ariel TDDS) are over-the-counter medicines and can be purchased without a prescription from any pharmacy in Hong Kong by speaking with a pharmacist. It can also be obtained from doctors. However, injectable Hyoscine (Rotexmedica) are prescription only medicines, and requires a prescription from a doctor to be purchased in a pharmacy. They can also be obtained from doctors. To find a pharmacy near you, refer to the list of pharmacies (“Authorized Sellers of Poisons”) from the Hong Kong Department of Health.
For more information about drug names and ingredients, you can visit Hong Kong’s Drug Office at https://www.drugoffice.gov.hk
Need more information?
For detailed information about the use of Hyoscine in children, pregnancy and breastfeeding, and for questions about drug interactions, please check with your pharmacist or doctor.
Disclaimer: our goal is to provide you with the most relevant drug information and common dosage for Hong Kong. This information does not constitute medical advice. For specific treatment recommendations and advice, always discuss with your doctor or pharmacist, and follow the instructions included with your specific medicine.
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