Levsin (Hyoscyamine) Drug Information: Description, User Reviews, Drug Side Effects, Interactions

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February 9, 2012

Levsin

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) »

What is irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)?

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is one of the most common ailments of the bowel (intestines) and affects an estimated 15% of people in the US. The term, irritable bowel, is not a particularly accurate one since it implies that the bowel is responding irritably to normal stimuli, and this may or may not be the case. The several terms used for IBS, including spastic colon, spastic colitis, and mucous colitis, attest to the difficulty of getting a descriptive handle on the ailment. Moreover, each of the other names is itself as problematic as the term IBS.

IBS is best described as a functional disease. The concept of functional disease is particularly useful when discussing diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. The concept applies to the muscular organs of the gastrointestinal tract; the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, gallbladder, and colon. What is meant by the term, functional, is that either th...

Read the Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) article »

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Levsin

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Slideshow Pictures

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Levsin®
(hyoscyamine sulfate) Tablets USP

DRUG DESCRIPTION

Levsin® tablets (hyoscyamine sulfate tablets USP) contain 0.125 mg hyoscyamine sulfate formulated for oral administration.

Levsin® (hyoscyamine) is one of the principal anticholinergic/antispasmodic components of belladonna alkaloids. The empirical formula is (C₁₇H₂₃NO₃)₂•H₂SO₄•2H₂O and the molecular weight is 712.85. Chemically, it is benzeneacetic acid, a-(hydroxymethyl)-, 8-methyl-8-azabicyclo [3.2.1.] oct-3-yl ester, [3(S)-endo]-, sulfate (2:1), dihydrate with the following structure:

Levsin® (hyoscyamine sulfate) Structural Formula Illustration

Each tablet also contains as inactive ingredients: FD&C blue #1, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, mannitol, starch and stearic acid.

What are the possible side effects of hyoscyamine?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using hyoscyamine and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

diarrhea;
confusion, hallucinations;
unusual thoughts or behavior;
fast, pounding, or uneven heart rate;
rash or flushing; or
eye pain.

Less serious side effects may include:

dizziness,...

Read All Potential Side Effects and See Pictures of Levsin »

What are the precautions when taking hyoscyamine (Levsin)?

Before taking hyoscyamine, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: glaucoma (narrow-angle type, untreated open-angle type), enlarged prostate, urinary blockage problems, certain stomach/intestinal problems (e.g., slow gut, blockage, severe ulcerative colitis, infection), heart problems due to severe bleeding.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: overactive thyroid, other...

Read All Potential Precautions of Levsin »

Last reviewed on RxList: 11/17/2010
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.