Hyoscyamine, L-atropine - chemically it is a tropane alkaloid, an enantiomer of atropine, used in medicine in the form of a hydrochloride or sulphate. Currently, it is used much less frequently than atropine, which is more effective than atropine.

Hyoscyamine(L-atropine) is one of the tropane alkaloids. Tropane alkaloids are secondary metabolites found naturally in plants of several families, includingBrassicaceae(Kapustowate),Solanaceae(Nightshade) andErythroxylaceae(Dwarf trees).

Contents:

    1. Where can we find hyoscyamine?
    2. How does hyoscyamine affect the human body?
    3. Hyoscyamine - indications
    4. Hyoscyamine - overdose
    5. Hyoscyamine - side effects
    6. Hyoscyamine - interactions with other drugs
    7. When to be careful with hyoscyamine?

So far, more than 200 tropane alkaloids are known. The best-studied tropane alkaloids are hyoscyamine and scopolamine.

Where can we find hyoscyamine?

Hyoscyamine in the natural environment occurs in such plants as:

      • cries wolfberry
      • Bieluń Dziedzierzawa
      • hen black

How does hyoscyamine affect the human body?

This substance has various effects on the human body:

      • reduces the amount of certain body fluids (e.g. saliva, sweat)
      • removes the influence of the vagus nerve on the heart
      • dilates blood vessels in the skin
      • dilates the pupil and increases intraocular pressure for a long time by blocking muscarinic receptors
      • causes problems with urination
      • reduces the production of acetic acid
      • slows down the intestinal peristalsis and relaxes the muscles in many organs (e.g. stomach, bladder, kidney)

Hyoscyamine - indications

Hyoscyamine is used to treat a variety of gastrointestinal problems such as cramps and irritable bowel syndrome. It is also used to treat other conditions such as:

      • bladder and bowel control problems
      • pain from kidney stones and stonesbile
      • Parkinson's disease
      • is also used to reduce the side effects of certain medications and insecticides

Hyoscyamine - overdose

This substance, in too high doses, paralyzes the peripheral nervous system. It also leads to psychomotor agitation followed by fatigue. Other symptoms and effects of an overdose include rapid breathing, red skin, tachycardia, restlessness, confusion, visual and auditory hallucinations, coma, delirium.

Pilocarpine is used as an antidote to hyoscyamine, which stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system.

Hyoscyamine - side effects

Like all drugs, hyoscyamine can cause some side effects, remember that not everyone must experience them, and their intensity can be very different. It all depends on the dose taken, other comorbidities and the general he alth of the patient.

The most common side effects are:

      • dizziness
      • sleepiness
      • blurred vision
      • dry mouth
      • headache
      • sleep problems
      • constipation
      • facial redness
      • dry skin
      • sweating reduction

Most often, they pass immediately after discontinuation of the drug, but if any of these symptoms persist or worsen, see your doctor immediately in order to change the dosage or completely change the preparation.

The less common side effects include:

      • confusion
      • fast or irregular heartbeat
      • difficulty urinating
      • decreased sexual ability
      • loss of coordination
      • slurred speech
      • nausea
      • vomiting

Serious allergic reactions to hyoscyamine are very rare, but if they occur, see your doctor immediately. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction may include:

      • rash
      • itching
      • swelling (especially of the face, tongue and throat)
      • severe dizziness
      • difficulty breathing

Unfortunately, severe allergic reactions may endanger the patient's he alth or life. That is why it is so important to follow your doctor's recommendations and report any disturbing symptoms immediately.

Hyoscyamine - interactions with other drugs

For the treatment to be as effective as possible, tell your doctor about all of them before you start taking hyoscyaminemedications taken - including herbal and over-the-counter medications.

Hyoscyamine can, for example, interact with drugs that stimulate the secretion of gastric acid or with antacids - the latter lower the absorption of hyoscyamine. Therefore, antacids should be taken after meals and hyoscyamine before, possibly taking antacids at least 1 hour after taking hyoscyamine.

When to be careful with hyoscyamine?

This drug should not be used if the patient suffers from certain diseases or is hypersensitive to any of the ingredients.

Consult your doctor before using hyoscyamine if you have: enlarged prostate, problems with urinary tract blockage, gastrointestinal problems, or cardiovascular disease.

Also, before using this drug, inform your doctor if you suffer from hyperthyroidism, hypertension, kidney disease, gastric reflux, hiatal hernia, and if you suffer from nervous system disorders (e.g. autonomic neuropathy).

In the above-mentioned cases, you should think twice about administering hyoscyamine, but the final decision about its use is always made by the doctor who assesses the general he alth of the patient.

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