hyoscine butylbromide at a glance
Medicine class
Peripheral antimuscarinic antispasmodic
Tablet role
Relief of gastrointestinal or urinary-tract spasm and IBS symptoms
Injection role
Acute renal or biliary spasm and reduction of spasm during selected diagnostic procedures
What is hyoscine butylbromide used for?
Licensed uses vary by formulation.
Oral tablets: relief of gastrointestinal or genitourinary spasm and IBS symptoms.
Injection: acute spasm such as renal or biliary colic.
Injection: reducing spasm and pain during pyelography and selected radiological or endoscopic procedures.
How does hyoscine butylbromide work?
It blocks muscarinic signalling and autonomic ganglia within the walls of abdominal and pelvic organs, reducing involuntary smooth-muscle contractions and cramping. Its charged structure limits entry into the brain, so its effects are mainly peripheral.
hyoscine butylbromide preparations and strengths
Tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 10 mg, 20 mg
Injection
Route: Parenteral
Strengths: 20 mg/mL
How to take hyoscine butylbromide
Follow the product leaflet or prescriber's directions.
Swallow coated tablets whole with water; do not crush, break or chew them.
Tablets may be taken with or without food.
Injections are given intravenously or intramuscularly by healthcare professionals. They are for single use.
Do not drive or operate machinery if blurred vision, impaired focusing or dizziness occurs.
hyoscine butylbromide side effects
Common or expected effects
- Dry mouth
- Constipation
- Blurred vision or difficulty focusing
- Dizziness, particularly with injection
- Fast heartbeat
- Injection-site pain after intramuscular administration
Get urgent medical advice
- Severe allergic reaction or anaphylaxis, particularly after injection
- Painful red eye with loss of vision
- Difficulty passing urine or urinary retention
- Marked palpitations, low blood pressure, fainting or shock
hyoscine butylbromide in pregnancy
Evidence in pregnancy is limited. NHS information says it is not thought to be harmful but is not often recommended because data are sparse; product information advises against use as a precaution. Ask a doctor or pharmacist whether treatment is appropriate or an alternative is preferable.
hyoscine butylbromide interactions
Check all prescribed, pharmacy and herbal products with a pharmacist or prescriber.
Other antimuscarinic medicines
Antihistamines, tricyclic antidepressants, antipsychotics, amantadine, quinidine, disopyramide, ipratropium and tiotropium can increase effects such as dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation, urinary retention and tachycardia.
Metoclopramide or domperidone
Their effects on gut movement oppose those of hyoscine butylbromide, potentially reducing the benefit of both medicines.
Common questions about hyoscine butylbromide
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is hyoscine butylbromide the same as hyoscine hydrobromide?
No. Hyoscine butylbromide is an antispasmodic used for cramping; hyoscine hydrobromide is a different medicine commonly used for motion sickness.
Does hyoscine butylbromide cure irritable bowel syndrome?
No. It relieves symptoms by reducing painful smooth-muscle spasm but does not treat the underlying cause of IBS.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.