0.125 mg

0.125 mg

0.125 mg SL

0.375 mg Timecaps

0.375 mg Levbid

Levsin is also available as an Elixir and Drops.

This drug is available in a generic form.

This drug acts on the muscle in the wall of the gut and also the urinary bladder. It relaxes the muscle and prevents spasms from occurring. It also can slightly reduce the production of stomach acid.

The main role of this drug is to prevent painful spasm of the gut and urinary bladder. The following conditions may be helped: diarrhea, irritable or spastic bowel, diverticulosis, colic and bladder spasm. It is seldom used in treating peptic ulcers since there are much better drugs now available to reduce stomach acid and heal ulces.

Follow your physician's instructions carefully. Take hyoscyamine 30 to 60 minutes before eating for best results. If you also take an antacid, take the antacid after the meal. Taking an antacid at the same time as hyoscyamine can interfere with the absorption of this drug. Store at room temperature in a tightly sealed container. Keep all medications away from children. Never share your medications with anyone else.

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your regular schedule. Do not double up on this medication.

There are no known food interactions with hyoscyamine. This drug can cause constipation which can be prevented by using foods rich in fiber and bran. Alcohol should be used with caution or avoided completely because the combination may cause excessive sedation.

An interaction generally means that one drug may increase or decrease the effect of another drug. Also, the more medications a person takes, the more likely there will be a drug interaction.

Interactions with this drug may occur with the following:

• monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors (Nardil, Parnate)
• sedatives (Ambien, Dalmane, Restoril)
• antidepressants (Haldol, Elavil)
• antacids
• antihistamines (Benadryl)
• cimetidine (Tagamet)
• prednisone
• digoxin (Lanoxin)
• metoclopramide (Reglan)
• thiazide diuretics (Dyazide, hydrochlorothiazide)
• amantadine (Symmetrel)
• cardiac rhythm regulators (Pronestyl, quinidine)

At times, a drug may have a different or enhanced effect when other diseases are present. At other times, the drug may worsen or effect another disease.

With this drug, the following disorders may be a problem:

• glaucoma
• prostate enlargement - BPH
• hypertension (high blood pressure)
• congestive heart failure
• severe ulcerative colitis where bowel movements have stopped

People who have known allergies or asthma may be at an increased risk for a reaction from any new medication. The physician should always know a patient's allergy history. Signs of an allergic reaction are skin rash, hives and itching. Of course, a person should not take hyoscyamine if there has been a previous reaction to this or other antispasmodic drugs.

Most females now know that, if possible, no drug, including alcohol, should be taken during pregnancy or lactation. The potential danger, of course, is an injury to the baby. However, some drugs are much safer than others in this regard. So, the FDA has a grading system for each drug which reflects what is known medically. It ranks drugs from A, where medical studies show no evidence for danger to the fetus or mother, to B, C, D and X, where the medical evidence indicates that the risk to the fetus outweighs any benefit to the mother. Hyoscyamine is ranked C. Always consult your physician before taking any drug during or when planning pregnancy.

Hyoscyamine can cause impotence. In nursing mothers it can cause suppression of breast milk.

• Hyoscyamine may make you dizzy, drowsy or blur your vision. Do not drive or operate hazardous machinery while taking this medication until the effects of the drug have been determined.
• This medication may decrease your ability to perspire. Do not become overheated in extremely hot weather or during exercise or other activities, as heat stroke may occur.
• Severe mental changes have occasionally been reported in individuals who are sensitive to this group of drugs. Symptoms include confusion, short-term memory loss, hallucinations or agitation. These symptoms usually resolve within 12 to 48 hours after discontinuation of the drug.

The side effects are usually the limiting factor in the length of use of hyoscyamine. As long as the side effects are tolerable or there is no change in the intensity of the side effects, the drug can be used long-term with physician supervision.

Adverse reactions can occur with any drug, even over-the-counter medications. Some of these are mild such as a stomach upset, which may be avoided by taking the medication with food. Minor reactions may go away on their own but if they persist, contact the physician. For major reactions, the patient should contact the physician immediately.

For hyoscyamine, the following are the observed side effects:

Minor:

• headache
• drowsiness
• dizziness
• rapid heartbeat
• dry mouth
• nausea
• vomiting
• constipation
• rash

Major:

• difficult urination
• confusion
• blurred vision

This drug relieves symptoms. It does not cure an underlying disorder. It can be used long-term if there are no side effects. Some people have problems with constipation while taking this drug. The addition of fiber to the diet is helpful.