Scopolamine, or scopolamine butylbromide, is an antispasmodic remedy that reduces contractions and spasms of the muscles of the intestine, uterus, urinary tract and bile ducts, and is indicated for the relief of abdominal pain caused by menstrual cramps, kidney stones or gallbladder, for example.
This medicine can be found in pharmacies and drugstores in the form of pills or drops, with the simple commercial name Buscopan and must be used with medical advice. Furthermore, there is another formulation containing scopolamine and dipyrone, which has a strong analgesic action in relieving pain, and can be found under the trade name Buscopan Composto, Atrovex or Buscoplex, for example.
Scopolamine can also be found in the form of an injection applied directly into a vein or muscle, carried out in the hospital by a nurse or healthcare professional, according to medical advice.
What is it for
Scopolamine is indicated for the treatment of pain, colic, spasm and abdominal discomfort caused by biliary, menstrual, renal or urinary colic, as it reduces muscle contractions and spasms of the bile ducts, genitourinary system or digestive and intestinal systems. , relieving pain.
In addition, scopolamine can also be used to perform gastrointestinal endoscopy or X-rays.
The effect of scopolamine on the digestive system begins 20 to 80 minutes after taking a dose.
How to use
How scopolamine is used varies depending on the presentation and includes:
1. Scopolamine tablets 10 mg
Scopolamine in the form of tablets contains 10 mg of scopolamine butylbromide, and must be taken orally, with a glass of water, without breaking or chewing, at the times established by the doctor.
The recommended dose of scopolamine for adults or children over 6 years of age is 1 to 2 tablets of 10 mg, 3 to 5 times a day.
2. Scopolamine drops 10 mg/mL
Scopolamine drops contain 10 mg of butylscopolamine in each mL of solution and must be administered orally, and the drops can be dissolved in a little water.
Recommended doses vary according to age and include:
- Adults and children over 6 years old: the recommended dose is 20 to 40 drops, which corresponds to a dose of 10 to 20 mg of scopolamine butylbromide, 3 to 5 times a day;
- Children between 1 and 6 years old: the recommended dose is 10 to 20 drops, which corresponds to a dose of 5 to 10 mg of scopolamine butylbromide, 3 times a day. This dose can be calculated by the pediatrician according to the child’s weight, generally being 0.3 to 0.5 mg for each kg of body weight per dose repeated 3 times a day;
- Babies between 3 and 11 months: the recommended dose is 0.7 mg for each kg of body weight per dose, repeated 3 times a day;
- Babies up to 3 months: the recommended dose is 1.5 mg for each kg of body weight per dose, repeated 3 times a day;
- Infants: the recommended dose is 10 drops, which corresponds to 5 mg of scopolamine butylbromide, 3 times a day;
Scopolamine doses can be modified by the doctor according to the symptoms and the treatment time must be according to medical advice.
3. Injectable Scopolamine 20 mg/mL
Injectable scopolamine should be injected directly into a vein, slowly, into a muscle or under the skin, by a nurse in the hospital or a healthcare professional knowledgeable in injection application.
Doses of injectable scopolamine vary depending on age and include:
- Adults and teenagers over 12 years old: the recommended dose is 1 to 2 ampoules per day, with a maximum dose of 5 ampoules per day;
- Babies and children under 12: the recommended dose in severe cases is 0.3 to 0.6 mg for each kg of body weight, up to a maximum dose per day of 1.5 mg for each kg of body weight.
These doses should always be determined by the doctor according to the person’s symptoms.
4. Scopolamine + dipyrone tablet
Scopolamine + dipyrone in tablet form contains 10 mg of scopolamine butylbromide and 250 mg of sodium dipyrone monohydrate, and must be taken orally, with a glass of water, at times established by the doctor.
The recommended dose of scopolamine + dipyrone tablet for adults is 1 to 2 tablets, taken 3 to 4 times a day, and should not be used by children.
5. Scopolamine + dipyrone drops
Scopolamine + dipyrone drops contain 6.67 mg of butylscopolamine and 333.4 mg of dipyrone in each mL of the solution and must be taken orally, and the drops can be dissolved in a little water.
Recommended doses vary according to age and include:
- Adults or children over 12 years old: the recommended dose is 20 to 40 drops, 3 to 4 times a day;
- Children over 6 years old: the recommended dose is 10 to 20 drops, 3 to 4 times a day. This dose can be calculated by the pediatrician according to the child’s weight, generally being 0.2 mg for each kg of body weight per dose, repeated 3 to 4 times a day;
- Children aged 1 to 6 years: the recommended dose is 5 to 10 drops, 3 to 4 times a day. This dose can be calculated by the pediatrician according to the child’s weight, generally being 0.1 to 0.2 mg for each kg of body weight per dose, repeated 3 to 4 times a day.
Scopolamine + dipyrone drops should not be used by babies under 12 months of age.
The length of treatment with scopolamine + dipyrone drops must be determined by the doctor according to the intensity of the person’s symptoms.
6. Scopolamine + injectable dipyrone
Scopolamine + injectable dipyrone contains 4 mg of scopolamine butylbromide and 500 mg of sodium dipyrone monohydrate, and must be applied directly into the vein, slowly, or into the gluteal muscle or under the skin, by a nurse at the hospital or by a professional healthcare professional with knowledge in injection application.
The recommended dose of injectable scopolamine + dipyrone for adults is 1 ampoule up to 2 to 3 times a day, with an interval of 6 to 8 hours between each dose, according to medical advice.
Scopolamine + injectable dipyrone is not indicated for use in children.
Possible side effects
Some side effects that may appear during treatment with scopolamine are dizziness, drop in blood pressure, dry mouth, skin allergies, hives, heart palpitations, or urinary retention.
Furthermore, the formulation containing scopolamine + dipyrone can cause serious allergic reactions that require immediate medical attention. Therefore, you should stop treatment and seek the nearest emergency room if you experience symptoms such as difficulty breathing, coughing, chest pain, feeling of a closed throat, swelling in the mouth, tongue or face, intense itching, formation of blisters or peeling skin, pain or burning in the eyes. Know how to identify the symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.
Who shouldn’t use
Scopolamine or scopolamine + dipyrone should not be used by pregnant or breastfeeding women, or by people who have myasthenia gravisdilation or narrowing of the intestine, or who are allergic to scopolamine, dipyrone or any other component of the formula.
These remedies should not be used by children who have acute or persistent diarrhea and the tablets or tablets should not be used by children.
Furthermore, because it contains dipyrone, scopolamine + dipyrone should not be used by people who have acute intermittent hepatic porphyria or congenital glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency or who suffer from asthma caused by any other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, such as paracetamol, acetylsalicylic acid, ibuprofen or naproxen, for example.
