Frequently Asked Questions

• What are Buscopan IBS Relief tablets used for?

  Buscopan IBS Relief tablets are used to relieve any cramps and spasms occurring due to diagnosed cases of IBS.

• How do Buscopan IBS Relief tablets target IBS symptoms?

  Buscopan IBS Relief target IBS symptoms because they contain an active ingredient known as hyoscine butylbromide.  Hyoscine is able to target your pain by helping to relax muscles around the stomach and intestinal walls. The muscles surrounding the stomach and intestines will contract and relax naturally, but IBS causes them to spasm uncontrollably. The contractions which can lead to cramping are caused by a natural neurotransmitter known as acetylcholine.

  Bear in mind that these contractions are involuntary and not under our control, when they are working properly we cannot feel them. If they spasm, however, you will become aware of their presence immediately. Hyoscine works by blocking the body’s acetylcoline receptors, preventing the smooth muscles’ spasms.

• How many Buscopan IBS Relief tablets should I take?

  Any who is over the age of 12 should begin by taking one tablet three times per day. Depending on the effect this has on you, you can increase the dosage to a maximum of two tablets four times a day but only if necessary.

• How do I take Buscopan IBS Relief tablets?

  As with many other pills, Buscopan IBS Relief tablets need to be completely swallowed with a glass of water. If you miss your dose, make sure not to take extra in order to make up for it. The best thing to do is to take a dose immediately, or, if your next dose is near, you can wait for that one.

  It is important to remember that this treatment should not be used for a prolonged time period without consulting with your doctor. If, after 14 days, your symptoms have not improved, or if your condition worsens, contact your doctor immediately.

• How will I know if Buscopan IBS Relief is the right drug for me?

  You should only take Buscopan IBS Relief if you have been diagnosed with IBS by your doctor. Even if you have been diagnosed, you should still consult with your doctor if:

  • You are over 40 years of age and your IBS symptoms are different than usual.
  • You have experienced bleeding or passed blood when using the toilet.
  • You suffer from constipation, vomiting or have trouble urinating.
  • You have lost your appetite or have a fever.
  • You look paler than usual or more tired.
  • You have recently been in a different country.

• Can I drive after taking Buscopan IBS Relief?

  One side effect of Buscopan IBS Relief is that it can cause blurred vision and this may impact upon your ability to drive or operate any kind of machinery in a safe manner. If this side effect affects you then it is better to not drive.

• At what point should I visit my doctor?

  During you treatment period using Buscopan, you should contact your doctor as soon as possible if you condition gets worse, or if you have an increase of symptoms such as nausea, high temperature, vomiting, fainting, and bloody stools.

  You should also contact your doctor immediately if you experience red or painful eyes, headaches, vision loss, or experience haloes surrounding lights. These rare symptoms may be the result of an increased pressure inside of your eyeball and should be looked at by your doctor urgently.

• Will taking Buscopan IBS Relief interfere with any of my other medications?

  Buscopan can increase the risk of antimuscarinic side effects including but not limited to: blurred vision, dry mouth, constipation, difficulty passing urine, and even confusion.

  If Buscopan is taken with other antimuscarinic medications such as:

  • amantadine
  • antihistamines, eg promethazine, brompheniramine, chlorphenamine,diphenhydramine, triprolidine
  • antimuscarinic medicines for Parkinson's symptoms, eg procyclidine,orphenadrine, trihexiphenidyl
  • antimuscarinic medicines for urinary incontinence, eg oxybutynin, trospium,tolterodine
  • antipsychotics, eg chlorpromazine, clozapine, thioridazine
  • antisickness medicines, eg meclozine, cyclizine, hyoscine hydrobromide
  • codeine
  • disopyramide
  • nefopam
  • other antispasmodics, eg atropine, propantheline, dicycloverine
  • tricyclic antidepressants, eg amitriptyline, clomipramine.

  Buscopan IBS tablets should not be taken alongside domperidone or metoclopramide as these different medicines may cancel each other out. Hyocin works by decreasing the guts motility; however both domperidone and metoclopramide will increase the guts motility.

  Drugs that are meant to be placed underneath the tongue, such as sublingual glyceryl trinitrate tablets, may be less effective if dry mouth is one of your symptoms. These kinds of tablets will not dissolve properly in a dry mouth and will lose their effectiveness. This can be resolved by having a drink before taking the tablets, in order to allow them to dissolve underneath the tongue.

• How long should I take Buscopan IBS Relief tablets for?

  You should take Buscopan for as long as your doctor tells you to, however if your cramps worsen see your doctor immediately.

• What are the potential causes of stomach cramps and muscle spasms?

  There are many common causes of stomach cramps and muscles spasms including:

  • spicy or highly seasoned foods can cause abdominal pain.
  • acid from citrus, caffeine and alcohol can also cause discomfort.
  • stress, anxiety, and not eating properly can lead to nervousness.
  • a drastic change from your normal life, such as going to a foreign country, can upset your digestive tract

  Because the body is so extensive, with many important organs, symptoms are often hard to pinpoint as they can be caused by many different factors. Usually though, stomach cramps, constipation, and diarrhoea can be dramatically improved by Buscopan.

   

• At what point should I seek medical help for my abdominal cramps?

  If your pains continue for more than a few days, or if your condition worsens then you should seek out your doctor for advice. If you have a fever or bloody stools then contact your doctor immediately.

• Are abdominal cramps and pain different to IBS?

  IBS sufferers will have abdominal pain, but will also have symptoms like diarrhoea, constipation, or flatulence.

• Is there any link between IBS and cancer?

  In short, no. IBS is simply a bowel disorder and isn’t cancer or tumor related in any way. Being diagnosed with IBS will usually mean that you have had extensive tests which may have positively ruled cancer out.

• Can IBS get better as I get older?

  People from all age groups can be affected by OBS, but older sufferers usually have less severe symptoms. It is still not completely understood why this is, but one hypothesis is that it has something to do with leading a less stressful lifestyle.

  Medical professionals are still unsure as to the exact cause of IBS, however they have outlined a comprehensive list of its associated symptoms. In order to be diagnosed with IBS you must have suffered from abdominal pain or bowel discomfort for 3 month. Doctors must also have ruled out other explanations for your symptoms, such as diseases and allergies.

  IBS can also cause sufferers mental distress as the constant negative experience of pain can affect overall mood. Diarrhoea, bloating, and vomiting can adversely affect a sufferers self-confidence, and prevent them from going about their normal life. Sufferers might also experience severe tension headaches as well as general fatigue and tiredness.

• What are the criteria for irritable bowel syndrome?

  Do not self-diagnose. Only a medical professional will be able to provide you with a correct diagnosis. You can use the below questionnaire to help diagnose your symptoms. The more questions that you answer with a “yes”, the more chance you will have that your doctor will diagnose you with IBS.

   

  Have you experienced any of the following in your bowel movements?

  • Cramps
  • Abdominal spasms
  • Stomach swelling
  • Mucus

  Has the frequency of your bowel movements changed?

  Has the consistency of your stools changed?

  After having a bowel movement, are your symptoms relieved?

  Has this been affecting you for the last three months?

  Does your condition worsen when in stressful situations?

  Have you previously had any other digestive tract tests that could possibly have caused the symptoms?