Trade names Buscopan ATC code A03BB01 (WHO) Molar mass 360.467 g/mol | Pregnancycategory AU: B2 Bioavailability <1% | |
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Legal status AU: S2 (Pharmacy only)UK: General sales list (GSL, OTC) | ||
Hyoscine butylbromide, also known as scopolamine butylbromide and sold under the brandname Buscopan, is a medication used to treat crampy abdominal pain, esophageal spasms, renal colic, and bladder spasms. It is also used to improve respiratory secretions at the end of life. Hyoscine butylbromide can be taken by mouth, injection into a muscle, or into a vein.
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Side effects may include sleepiness, vision changes, triggering of glaucoma, and severe allergies. Sleepiness however, is uncommon. It is unclear if it is safe in pregnancy. It is an anticholinergic agent, which does not have much effect on the brain.
It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines, the most effective and safe medicines needed in a health system. It is not available in the United States. The wholesale cost in the developing world is 0.004 to 0.11 USD per pill as of 2014. It is manufactured from hyoscine which occurs naturally in the plant deadly nightshade.
Medical uses
Hyoscine butylbromide is effective in treating crampy abdominal pain.
Hyoscine butylbromide is effective in reducing the duration of the first stage of labour, and it is not associated with any obvious adverse outcomes in mother or neonate.
It is also used during abdominal or pelvic MRI or CT scans to improve the quality of pictures.
Pharmacology
It is a quaternary ammonium compound and a semisynthetic derivative of hyoscine hydrobromide (scopolamine). The attachment of the butyl-bromide moiety effectively prevents the movement of this drug across the blood–brain barrier, effectively minimising undesirable central nervous system side effects associated with scopolamine/hyoscine.
Abuse
Hyoscine butylbromide is not centrally active and has a low incidence of abuse.