Levsin (Hyoscyamine) Drug Information: Clinical Pharmacology

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May 27, 2012

Levsin

Ulcerative Colitis »

What is Ulcerative Colitis?

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammation of the large intestine (colon). The colon is the part of the digestive system where waste material is stored. The rectum is the end of the colon adjacent to the anus. In patients with ulcerative colitis, ulcers and inflammation of the inner lining of the colon lead to symptoms of abdominal pain, diarrhea, and rectal bleeding.

Ulcerative colitis is closely related to another condition of inflammation of the intestines called Crohn's disease. Together, they are frequently referred to as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's diseases are chronic conditions that can last years to decades. They affect approximately 500,000 to 2 million people In the United States. Men and women are affected equally. They most commonly begin during adolescence and early adulthood, but they also can begin during childhood and later in life.

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CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY

Levsin® (hyoscyamine) inhibits specifically the actions of acetylcholine on structures innervated by postganglionic cholinergic nerves and on smooth muscles that respond to acetylcholine but lack cholinergic innervation. These peripheral cholinergic receptors are present in the autonomic effector cells of the smooth muscle, cardiac muscle, the sinoatrial node, the atrioventricular node, and the exocrine glands. At therapeutic doses, it is completely devoid of any action on autonomic ganglia. Levsin® (hyoscyamine) inhibits gastrointestinal propulsive motility and decreases gastric acid secretion. Levsin® (hyoscyamine) also controls excessive pharyngeal, tracheal and bronchial secretions.

Levsin® (hyoscyamine) is absorbed totally and completely by sublingual administration as well as oral administration. Once absorbed, Levsin® (hyoscyamine) disappears rapidly from the blood and is distributed throughout the entire body. The half-life of Levsin® (hyoscyamine) is 2 to 3½ hours. Levsin® (hyoscyamine) is partly hydrolyzed to tropic acid and tropine but the majority of the drug is excreted in the urine unchanged within the first 12 hours. Only traces of this drug are found in breast milk. Levsin® (hyoscyamine) passes the blood brain barrier and the placental barrier.

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