Hyoscine butylbromide

Hyoscine butylbromide, also known as scopolamine butylbromide and sold under the brand name Buscopan among others, is an anticholinergic medication used to relieve crampy abdominal pain, esophageal spasms, renal colic, and bladder spasms. In palliative care, it is used to improve respiratory secretions at the end of life.

Butylscopolamine bromide structural formula V.1

Medical Uses

Hyoscine butylbromide is used to treat a variety of conditions that involve spasms of smooth muscle, such as those found in the gastrointestinal tract, the biliary tract, the urinary tract, and the reproductive system. It works by blocking the neurotransmitter acetylcholine in the nervous system, relaxing the smooth muscles. This can reduce the severity of abdominal pain, bladder spasms, renal colic, and esophageal spasms.

In palliative care, it is used to manage respiratory secretions in patients who are near the end of life. By reducing secretions, it can help patients breathe more comfortably.

Administration and Formulations

Hyoscine butylbromide can be administered in various ways, including by mouth, injection into a muscle, or into a vein. It is available as oral tablets, rectal suppositories, and injectable formulations.

In the United States, hyoscine butylbromide is approved for use in horses but not in humans. In contrast, it is widely used in human medicine in many other countries.

Safety and Contraindications

Hyoscine butylbromide is generally well-tolerated, but it may cause side effects such as dry mouth, blurred vision, and urinary retention. These effects result from its anticholinergic action. It is contraindicated in patients with glaucoma, severe ulcerative colitis, myasthenia gravis, and certain types of blockage in the gastrointestinal or urinary tract.

See Also

• Anticholinergic
• Abdominal pain
• Esophageal spasms
• Renal colic
• Bladder spasms

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