Levsinex SR

Hyoscyamine produces many effects in the body, including relief from muscle spasms.

Hyoscyamine also reduces the fluid secretions of many organs and glands in the body, such as the stomach, pancreas, lungs, saliva glands, sweat glands, and nasal passages.

Hyoscyamine is used to treat many different stomach and intestinal disorders, including peptic ulcer and irritable bowel syndrome. It is also used to control muscle spasms in the bladder, kidneys, or digestive tract, and to reduce stomach acid. Hyoscyamine is sometimes used to reduce tremors and rigid muscles in people with symptoms of Parkinson's disease.

Hyoscyamine is also used as a drying agent to control excessive salivation, runny nose, or excessive sweating.

Hyoscyamine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Do not take hyoscyamine if you are allergic to it, or if you have:

• kidney disease;

• an enlarged prostate or problems with urination;

• intestinal blockage;

• severe ulcerative colitis, or toxic megacolon;

• glaucoma; or

• myasthenia gravis.

To make sure you can safely take hyoscyamine, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

• heart disease, congestive heart failure;

• a heart rhythm disorder;

• high blood pressure;

• overactive thyroid; or

• hiatal hernia with GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease).

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether hyoscyamine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication.

Hyoscyamine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose symptoms may include headache, dizziness, dry mouth, trouble swallowing, nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, hot dry skin, and feeling restless or nervous.

Avoid taking antacids at the same time you take hyoscyamine. Antacids can make it harder for your body to absorb hyoscyamine. If you use an antacid, take it after you have taken hyoscyamine and eaten a meal.

Hyoscyamine may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.

Drinking alcohol can increase drowsiness and dizziness while you are taking hyoscyamine.

Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise and in hot weather. Hyoscyamine can decrease sweating and you may be more prone to heat stroke.

Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially:

• amantadine (Symmetrel);

• haloperidol (Haldol);

• an MAO inhibitor such as furazolidone (Furoxone), isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate);

• phenothiazines such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), fluphenazine (Permitil, Prolixin), perphenazine (Trilafon), prochlorperazine (Compazine, Compro), promethazine (Pentazine, Phenergan, Anergan, Antinaus), thioridazine (Mellaril), or trifluoperazine (Stelazine); or

• an antidepressant such as amitriptyline (Elavil, Vanatrip), doxepin (Sinequan), desipramine (Norpramin), imipramine (Janimine, Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), and others.

This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with hyoscyamine. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

Applies to hyoscyamine: compounding powder, injectable solution, oral capsule extended release, oral liquid, oral solution, oral spray, oral tablet, oral tablet chewable, oral tablet disintegrating, oral tablet extended release, sublingual tablet

Cardiovascular

Cardiovascular side effects have included tachycardia, premature ventricular depolarizations, and ventricular tachycardia.[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Gastrointestinal side effects due to the anticholinergic effects of hyoscyamine (the active ingredient contained in Levsinex SR) have commonly included dry mouth and mucous membranes. Other reported side effects include delayed gastric emptying time, reduced gastric acid secretion, constipation, and gastroesophageal reflux.[Ref]

General

Hyoscyamine (the active ingredient contained in Levsinex SR) toxicity (anticholinergic side effects) often presents as fever, tachycardia, agitation, and dry skin/mucous membranes.[Ref]

Genitourinary

Genitourinary complications include urinary retention (due to anticholinergic effects on the urinary sphincter), which is common and dose-related, and impotence in male patients.[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

Hypersensitivity reactions to hyoscyamine (the active ingredient contained in Levsinex SR) are rare. Reactions can include urticaria, eczema, papillary hyperplasia, mucopurulent discharge, eosinophilia, pruritus, edema, hypotension, abdominal pain, tachypnea, nausea and vomiting.[Ref]

Nervous system

Nervous system side effects have included lethargy and somnolence. Higher doses may be associated with mental confusion and/or excitement. The elderly appear to be more prone to the anticholinergic effects of hyoscyamine (the active ingredient contained in Levsinex SR) on the CNS.[Ref]

Ocular

Ocular side effects due to the anticholinergic activity of hyoscyamine (the active ingredient contained in Levsinex SR) have included inhibition of the iris sphincter muscle (possibly resulting in mydriasis), follicular conjunctivitis, and inhibition of the ciliary muscle (which can produce blurred vision). All muscarinic antagonists can precipitate glaucoma.[Ref]

Endocrine

Endocrine side effects have included inhibition of exocrine sweat glands. This is usually not clinically significant except when perspiration becomes a major factor in body temperature control.[Ref]

Some side effects of Levsinex SR may not be reported. Always consult your doctor or healthcare specialist for medical advice. You may also report side effects to the FDA.