Buscopan 10 mg coated tablets – hyoscine butylbromide for abdominal cramps and irritable bowel syndrome

Buscopan 10 mg coated tablets contain the active substance hyoscine butylbromide (butylscopolamine) and belong to the antispasmodics. Hyoscine butylbromide has an antispasmodic effect on the smooth muscle of the digestive tract – it relaxes the cramping contractions of the muscles in the walls of the stomach and intestines that cause painful colic.

The medicine is used to relieve pain caused by stomach cramps (colic) and in irritable bowel syndrome. In Serbia it is available without a prescription, but it has clear limits: it is not taken continuously for more than 2 weeks without advice, it is not given to children under 12, and pain with fever, vomiting or blood in the stool needs examination. This page describes the 10 mg coated tablet; Buscopan ampoules are a prescription hospital medicine.

What is Buscopan 10 mg used for and how should it be taken?

Key facts about the medicine

What is Buscopan used for?

According to the official package leaflet, Buscopan is used to relieve pain caused by:

• colic – sudden, irregular contraction of the muscles in the walls of the stomach or intestines causing pain and discomfort in the digestive tract;
• irritable bowel syndrome (irritable colon) – pain, cramps, bloating and changes in bowel habits; the diagnosis should be confirmed by a doctor.

The muscles of the stomach and intestines are sensitive to stress, eating and drinking habits, food intolerances, stimulants such as coffee and hormonal factors – these can trigger painful cramps in people with sensitive bowels.

How is it used and dosed?

• Swallow the tablets whole with enough liquid; do not break or chew them.
• Do not take the medicine continuously for more than 2 weeks; if you do not feel better after 2 weeks, stop and ask a doctor or pharmacist.
• Also see a doctor if new symptoms appear or existing ones get worse.

Special patient groups

• Children under 12 years: use is not recommended.
• People with diabetes: one tablet contains 41.2 mg sucrose (411.8 mg at the maximum daily dose).
• People aged 40 or over whose symptoms are different from before or appear after a long interval: seek medical advice before use.

Contraindications – when the medicine must not be used

Do not take Buscopan:

• if you are allergic to hyoscine butylbromide or any other ingredient;
• if you have myasthenia gravis;
• if you are intolerant to some sugars (the medicine contains sucrose);
• if you have narrow-angle glaucoma;
• if you have a blockage in the digestive tract;
• if you have paralytic or obstructive ileus (severe abdominal pain without stool, with nausea or vomiting);
• if you have megacolon;
• if you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant or are breastfeeding.

Precautions and warnings

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before taking the medicine if:

• you have symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome for the first time;
• you are 40 or over and some time has passed since the last episode, or the symptoms are different this time;
• you recently had blood in your stool or suffer from severe constipation;
• you feel sick or vomit, have lost your appetite or weight;
• you have difficulty or pain when passing urine or a fever;
• you have recently travelled abroad (possible "stomach bug");
• you have a very fast heartbeat or other heart problems;
• you have been treated for a serious sweating problem;
• you have unusual vaginal bleeding or discharge.

This advice applies even if you have previously been diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome – in case the pain has a different cause this time.

Interactions with other medicines, alcohol and food

Tell your doctor before use if you take: antihistamines; tri- and tetracyclic antidepressants; antipsychotics (e.g. phenothiazines, butyrophenones); dopamine antagonists such as metoclopramide; beta-2 adrenergic medicines (e.g. salbutamol); quinidine or disopyramide; amantadine; other anticholinergic agents (e.g. ipratropium, tiotropium) and atropine-like substances.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Buscopan must not be taken during pregnancy, if you think you may be pregnant, or while breastfeeding. If you are planning a pregnancy, ask a doctor or pharmacist before taking any medicine.

Driving and using machines

Disturbance of accommodation (difficulty focusing) or dizziness may occur. If you notice them, do not drive, operate machinery or use tools.

Possible side effects

• Uncommon (up to 1 in 100): fast heartbeat; dry mouth; constipation; skin reactions (hives, itching); increased sweating.
• Rare (up to 1 in 1,000): difficulty passing urine.
• Not known: anaphylactic shock and anaphylactic reactions, difficulty breathing, rash, redness and other hypersensitivity reactions; visual (accommodation) disturbance.

If any side effect becomes serious, tell your doctor or pharmacist. You can report suspected side effects to ALIMS.

Overdose, missed dose and stopping treatment

• If you have taken more than you should, talk to a doctor or pharmacist immediately or go to the nearest hospital and take the pack with you.
• Missed dose: continue as scheduled; do not take a double dose.
• The medicine is intended for short-term use – not more than 2 weeks continuously without advice.

Related information

• Irritable bowel syndrome – a big problem in today's society

For additional care and support with digestive complaints and stomach cramps, see also the Digestive system category – products in this category do not replace the medicine you have been prescribed.

Composition, packaging and manufacturer

• Active substance: hyoscine butylbromide 10 mg per coated tablet.
• Core: calcium hydrogen phosphate, maize starch, soluble maize starch, colloidal anhydrous silica, tartaric acid, stearic acid. Coating: povidone, sucrose (41.2 mg), talc, acacia, titanium dioxide (E171), macrogol 6000, carnauba wax, white beeswax.
• Appearance: round, biconvex, white coated tablets about 7 mm in diameter.
• Pack: 2 blisters of 10 coated tablets (20 tablets).
• Marketing authorisation holder: Hemofarm AD Vršac, Beogradski put b.b., Vršac. Manufacturer: Delpharm Reims, Reims, France.
• Authorisation number: 000457042 2023 of 03.06.2024.

Storage

• Store below 25 °C.
• Keep out of the sight and reach of children; do not use after the expiry date.
• Return unused medicine to a pharmacy that collects pharmaceutical waste.

Frequently asked questions

How many Buscopan tablets can I take per day?

For stomach cramps, adults and children over 12 take 2 tablets four times a day. In irritable bowel syndrome the starting dose is 1 tablet up to 3 times a day, increased if needed to 2 tablets four times a day.

How long can I take Buscopan without a doctor?

Not continuously for more than 2 weeks. If you do not feel better after that or new symptoms appear, stop and ask a doctor or pharmacist.

Does Buscopan help with period pain?

The leaflet for Buscopan coated tablets lists digestive-tract colic and irritable bowel syndrome; period pain is not a listed indication, so ask a pharmacist or doctor about it.

Can I take Buscopan during pregnancy or breastfeeding?

No. Pregnancy, suspected pregnancy and breastfeeding are contraindications according to the leaflet.

Can children take Buscopan?

Use of the coated tablets is not recommended in children under 12 years.

Sources

• ALIMS – Package leaflet Buscopan® 10 mg coated tablets (June 2024, Serbian)
• ALIMS – Summary of Product Characteristics Buscopan® 10 mg coated tablets (Serbian)

Sources checked on: 23 October 2026.