Recommended Dosage of Buscopan (Hyoscine Butylbromide)
The recommended daily dose of Buscopan (hyoscine butylbromide) is 30 mg per day, typically administered as 10 mg three times daily. 1
Dosing Information
- The standard therapeutic dose for Buscopan is 10 mg three times daily (30 mg/day) for the treatment of abdominal cramping and pain associated with gastrointestinal spasms 1, 2
- This dosage has been shown to be effective in clinical trials for treating irritable bowel syndrome and other conditions causing abdominal spasms 1
- Buscopan has demonstrated efficacy at this dosage with a favorable safety profile in studies lasting up to 4 weeks 1
Administration Considerations
- Buscopan can be administered orally or rectally, depending on the formulation 2
- The medication works through a local spasmolytic effect in the intestine due to its high affinity for muscarinic receptors located on smooth-muscle cells of the gastrointestinal tract 2
- Systemic absorption after oral administration is very low (bioavailability <1%), which contributes to its favorable safety profile 2
Special Populations and Considerations
Contraindications
- Buscopan should be used with caution in patients with cardiac comorbidities 3
- According to product monographs, Buscopan is contraindicated in patients with:
- Tachycardia
- Angina
- Cardiac failure
- Prostatic hypertrophy with urinary retention 3
Visual Effects
- Buscopan may cause temporary impairment of visual accommodation, particularly in patients under 50 years of age 4
- Patients should be advised that this visual impairment is usually minor and temporary 4
- Routine questioning about glaucoma history is unlikely to be valuable, but patients should be advised to seek medical attention if they experience eye pain or visual loss after administration 4, 3
Efficacy and Safety
- In clinical trials, Buscopan has shown statistically significant improvement in abdominal pain intensity compared to placebo 1
- Response rates (defined as marked or some improvement in symptoms) have been reported as high as 76% for Buscopan alone and 81% when combined with paracetamol 1
- The medication is generally well-tolerated with few reported adverse events, and no significant increases in anticholinergic-related adverse effects have been observed in clinical trials 2
- Due to its low systemic absorption and inability to cross the blood-brain barrier, systemic side effects are minimal 2
Monitoring
- No specific monitoring is required for standard dosing of Buscopan 2
- For patients with cardiac conditions, appropriate cardiac monitoring should be considered when administration is necessary 3
Buscopan remains a valuable treatment option for patients with abdominal pain or discomfort associated with cramping, with decades of clinical use supporting its safety and efficacy profile at the recommended daily dose of 30 mg 2.