Alternative Names for Hyoscine and Dicyclomine
Hyoscine Alternative Names
Hyoscine is also known as scopolamine, hyoscyamine, and hyoscine butylbromide 1, 2. The most common brand name is Buscopan 1, 2. Another brand formulation is Hyosyne (hyoscyamine sulfate) 3.
Important Nomenclature Clarification
There is some confusion in the literature regarding these terms:
- Hyoscine butylbromide (scopolamine butylbromide) is the most commonly referenced form, marketed as Buscopan 2
- Hyoscine hydrobromide is another salt form with similar anticholinergic properties 4
- The terms "hyoscine," "scopolamine," and "hyoscyamine" are used somewhat interchangeably in clinical practice, though they may refer to slightly different chemical formulations 1, 5
Dicyclomine Alternative Names
Dicyclomine hydrochloride is most commonly known by the brand name Bentyl 6, 7. The chemical name is [bicyclohexyl]-1-carboxylic acid, 2-(diethylamino) ethylester, hydrochloride 6.
Key Clinical Context
Both medications are antispasmodic agents used for abdominal pain:
- Hyoscine and dicyclomine are among the only antispasmodics available in the United States for treating irritable bowel syndrome 8
- Both are antimuscarinic/anticholinergic agents that work by reducing smooth muscle contraction in the gastrointestinal tract 8, 6, 2
- Dicyclomine is available as 20 mg tablets for oral administration 6
- Hyoscine butylbromide (Buscopan) has very low systemic bioavailability (<1%) after oral administration, exerting primarily local effects 2
Critical Safety Note
Dicyclomine should never be administered intravenously due to risk of thrombosis 9. It is approved only for intramuscular or oral administration 6, 9.