Active substance
Butylscopolamine
General information
Buscopan® contains the active ingredient butylscopolamine. Butylscopolamine belongs to the group of parasympatholytics, i.e. it acts against the parasympathetic nervous system and is therefore called antagonist. Another name for drugs of this group is anticholinergics, as they block an acetylcholine receptor and thus exert their effect. The desired effect of Buscopan® is that of spasmolysis in the gastrointestinal tract and the urinary tract. Buscopan® is therefore also referred to as a spasmolytic.
Application/indication
Buscopan® is used to relieve spasms in the gastrointestinal tract, the bile ducts, the urinary tract and the female genitals (spasmolysis). These include stomach and intestinal cramps, kidney colic caused by ureteral stones and biliary colic caused by gallstones. Buscopan® can also be used in irritable bowel syndrome.
Contraindications
Buscopan® must not be used in cases of hypersensitivity to the active ingredient butylscopolamine. Other contraindications are mechanical constrictions (stenoses) in the area of the gastrointestinal tract, for example due to tumours, pathological dilatation of parts of the large intestine (megacolon), mechanical constrictions (stenosis) of the urinary tract, for example due to enlargement of the prostate gland (prostate hyperplasia), glaucoma and a certain form of muscle weakness, myasthenia gravis. During pregnancy and lactation, a strict indication should be given with a precise risk-benefit analysis.
Side effects
Possible side effects of taking Buscopan® are Many of these side effects are caused by inhibition of the parasympathetic nervous system, which is also responsible for the desired antispasmodic effect. This type of side effect is called anticholinergic because it is caused by a blockage of acetylcholine receptors. – Vertigo
- Drop in blood pressure (hypotension)
- Tachycardia
- Dry mouth
- Nausea and vomiting
- Disturbances in focusing with the eyes (accommodation disturbances)
- Triggering of a glaucoma attack in preloaded patients
- Reduced saliva and sweat secretion
- Itching and skin rash (urticaria)
- Urinary disorders such as urinary dripping and retention
Interactions
When Buscopan® is combined with other drugs with anticholinergic effect, the side effects described above, such as dry mouth, urinary retention, accommodation disorders and tachycardia, may occur more frequently. When Buscopan® is combined with drugs from the group of sympathomimetics, which increase the effect of the sympathetic nervous system, an excessive increase in the heartbeat (tachycardia) can occur. – tricyclic antidepressants: used to treat depression as well as anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorders
- Antihistamines: used mainly for the treatment of allergic diseases such as hay fever
- Anticholinergics: e.g. ipratropium bromide to treat airway obstruction in COPD
Dosage
Buscopan® is available as dragees, suppositories and solutions for intramuscular, subcutaneous or intravenous injection. For the dragees, the single dose is 10-20 mg (i.e. 1 to 2 tablets can be taken at the same time), the maximum daily dose is 60 mg. The single dose for suppositories is also 10-20 mg, the maximum daily dose is 100 mg (10 suppositories).