Buscopan Cramps

What is Buscopan Cramps?

Buscopan has been a renowned medicine since it was first approved for medical use in 1951. Worldwide, it is one of the most well known antispasmodics as is on the World Health Organisations List of Essential Medicines.

Buscopan Cramps contains the active ingredient hyoscine butylbromide, which helps to relieve the pain and discomfort caused by cramps.

This medicine comes in packs of 20, 40 or 60 tablets.

What is Buscopan Cramps used to treat?

Buscopan Cramps is primarily used to treat the pain and discomfort caused by abdominal cramps.

The active ingredient, hyoscine butylbromide, gets to work very quickly and the cramps should ease after around 15 minutes of taking Buscopan. It eases abdominal cramps by helping your gut to relax.

It can be taken to treat problems like period pain and irritable bowel syndrome, which can cause severe stomach cramps.

Buscopan Cramps is suitable for adults and children who are aged 6 years old and over.

How does Buscopan Cramps work?

Stomach cramps can affect people of all ages and can occur for many different reasons, such as constipation, nausea, irritable bowel syndrome, period pain and anxiety.

Hyoscine butylbromide works by relaxing the muscles in the walls of the stomach, intestines, urinary tract, bowel and bile duct, which helps to relieve stomach cramps and the discomfort that comes with them.

Buscopan will usually relieve painful cramps within 15 minutes of administering.

How to take Buscopan Cramps

Swallow the tablets whole with a drink of water. Do not crush or chew them.

Adults and children over 12 should take two tablets, four times a day.

Children aged 6 to 12 should take one tablet, three times a day.

Always read the patient information leaflet for a full list of instructions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.

Buscopan Possible side effects

As with all medicines, Buscopan comes with the risk of certain side effects, although not everyone will be affected by them.

The below adverse effects happen in more than 1 in every 1000 people. You should speak to your doctor if any of these persist or do not go away:

• Blurred vision
• Increased heart rate
• Constipation
• Dry mouth

This list is not exhaustive. Please, refer to the Side Effects tab on this page for a list of more serious side effects you may suffer while taking this medication.

Always read the patient information leaflet thoroughly before you start taking any medicine.

Who can take Buscopan Cramps?

Children under 6 years old should not take these tablets. Buscopan is also not suitable for certain adults and adolescents.

You should not take Buscopan Cramps if you suffer from any of the following:

• You have a very enlarged bowel
• You suffer from myasthenia gravis
• You have a rare form of glaucoma called angle-closure glaucoma
• You have had an allergic reaction to Buscopan or any other medicines in the past

Speak to your doctor before you take Buscopan Cramps if any of the below apply to you:

• You have a temperature of 38C or higher
• You have an overactive thyroid
• You cannot digest certain sugars
• You have a bowel blockage
• You have any heart problems
• You have a very fast heart rate
• You find it difficult to urinate
• You have any kind of digestive problems

This list may not be exhaustive. Read the patient information leaflet for full details on why Buscopan Cramps may not be suitable for you to take.

Can you buy Buscopan Cramps over the counter?

You can buy Buscopan Cramps over the counter from a local pharmacy or shop. You do not need a prescription for this medication.

Can you buy Buscopan Cramps online in the UK?

You can buy Buscopan Cramps online from Medicine Direct without needing a prescription. However, you will need to fill out a short online consultation form to make sure it is safe for you to take. One of our doctors or pharmacists will review your answers. After this, you can place your order with our online pharmacy; next day delivery is available if you order before 2pm.

Never buy any type of medication online unless you are ordering it from a pharmacy that is regulated by the General Pharmaceutical Council, like Medicine Direct. All legitimate pharmacies will have their pharmacy registration number clearly displayed on their website.

Buscopan Cramps alternatives

Various alternative IBS treatments can be ordered from Medicine Direct.

If you have been diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome and are looking for a medicine to provide effective relief from the symptoms of IBS, Buscopan IBS Relief can be ordered from our online pharmacy. This medicine contains the same active ingredient as Buscopan Cramps, but should only be used by people who have been formally diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome by a doctor.

Fybogel Mebeverine is available to order, as are Mebeverine tablets. These medicines work in the same way, although Fybogel Mebeverine comes as powder in a sachet, which you mix with water to create an orange-flavoured drink. Mebeverine relaxes the muscles in the gut to relieve discomfort.

Apercap and Colpermin peppermint oil capsules can also be bought from Medicine Direct. Peppermint oil is clinically proven to treat the symptoms of IBS by gently soothing the muscles in the gut.

To view the full range of IBS treatments available at Medicine Direct, see our Irritable Bowel Syndrome product page.