Specifically, hyoscyamine sublingual tablet is used to manage symptoms of:
This article describes possible side effects of hyoscyamine sublingual tablet. (“Sublingual” means you dissolve the tablet under your tongue.) You can explore this overview article to learn more about hyoscyamine, including the drug’s uses, side effects, ways to save on cost, and more.
Hyoscyamine sublingual tablet is a generic version of the brand-name drug Levsin SL. Hyoscyamine also comes in forms that you’ll swallow, but these forms aren’t described in this article. To learn more about these forms, talk with your doctor.
Note: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved hyoscyamine. This is because the drug has been available since before the FDA began its drug approval process. If you have questions about this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Need a diagnosis or prescription quickly? For certain health conditions, Optum Perks offers personalized on-demand care with no appointment required. For $25, answer a few questions online and receive a diagnosis and treatment plan from a board certified healthcare professional in 15 minutes or less. Get started here.
More common side effects of hyoscyamine
Hyoscyamine sublingual tablet may cause mild or serious side effects. But it’s unclear how common these side effects are. Below are some of the possible side effects of this medication:
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of hyoscyamine in detail” section below.
Mild side effects of hyoscyamine
Hyoscyamine may cause certain mild side effects. Usually, mild side effects are temporary and can be easily managed. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have side effects that don’t go away or become bothersome.
Mild side effects of hyoscyamine sublingual tablet can include:
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of hyoscyamine in detail” section below.
† An allergic reaction is possible with hyoscyamine sublingual tablet. But it’s unclear whether it occurred in studies of the drug.
Hyoscyamine sublingual tablet may cause more mild side effects than those listed above. For details, see the drug’s prescribing information.
Serious side effects of hyoscyamine
Hyoscyamine may cause certain serious side effects. If you have any serious side effects from hyoscyamine sublingual tablet, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency or your side effects feel life threatening, take immediate action. Call 911 or a local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.
The FDA tracks and reviews side effects of medications. Visit MedWatch’s website if you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with hyoscyamine.
Serious side effects of hyoscyamine sublingual tablet can include:
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of hyoscyamine in detail” section below.
† An allergic reaction is possible with hyoscyamine sublingual tablet. But it’s unclear whether it occurred in studies of the drug.
Download the free Optum Perks Discount Card to save up to 80% on some prescription medications.
Side effects of hyoscyamine in children
For children, doctors prescribe hyoscyamine sublingual tablet to treat symptoms of certain gastrointestinal (GI) disorders. The drug is used for this purpose in children ages 12 years and older.
The following side effect may be more common in children than in adults:
If you’d like to know more about side effects in children taking hyoscyamine sublingual tablet, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Common questions about side effects of hyoscyamine
Here are answers to some common questions about side effects of hyoscyamine sublingual tablet. If you have other questions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Can hyoscyamine cause weight loss?
Typically, no. The drugmaker didn’t report weight loss as a side effect of hyoscyamine sublingual tablet. But this doesn’t mean weight loss can’t occur or won’t be reported with hyoscyamine sometime in the future.
If you take hyoscyamine and have concerns about your weight, talk with your doctor.
How long do side effects of hyoscyamine usually last?
It depends. Usually, side effects of hyoscyamine sublingual tablet are temporary. And in most cases, they will go away on their own once your body gets used to the medication or after you stop the drug.
If you have concerns about the side effects of hyoscyamine, talk with your doctor.
Does hyoscyamine cause long-term side effects?
In most cases, long-term side effects aren’t expected with hyoscyamine sublingual tablet. However, if you are age 65 years and older, taking hyoscyamine for a long time may cause memory problems or make memory problems worse.
Talk with your doctor if you have more questions about possible long-term side effects with hyoscyamine.
Side effects of hyoscyamine in detail
Below you’ll find details on some of the side effects of hyoscyamine sublingual tablet.
Constipation
Constipation can occur in people taking hyoscyamine sublingual tablet. This side effect can be mild or serious.
With constipation, you may have hard, dry stools. You may also strain or experience pain during bowel movements. Other symptoms may include:
- fewer than three bowel movements per week
- full feeling, even after a bowel movement
- blood in your stool
- abdominal pain
- bleeding from the rectum
Ways to manage
If you experience constipation symptoms, tell your doctor. They can discuss lifestyle changes that can help treat or prevent constipation. They can also provide treatment options. Your doctor can also determine whether you should continue taking hyoscyamine sublingual tablet.
Increased risk of heatstroke
Hyoscyamine sublingual tablet can increase the risk of heatstroke, especially if you’re in high environmental temperatures. This is because the drug decreases your body’s ability to sweat, which is one of the body’s methods of cooling down. Babies and older adults (people ages 65 years and older) are particularly susceptible to heat stroke.
Heatstroke symptoms can start slowly or suddenly. Symptoms may include:
- red, discolored, or flushed skin
- muscle cramps
- fast breathing
- disorientation
- dizziness
- dehydration
- dark urine
- less urine output
Ways to manage
Heatstroke is a life threatening medical emergency. If you or your child has symptoms of heatstroke, call 911 or your local emergency number right away.
If you have concerns about heatstroke, tell your doctor. They can discuss ways to minimize the risk of heatstroke or discuss alternative treatment options.
For some people, hyoscyamine sublingual tablet can cause an allergic reaction.
Symptoms can be mild or serious, and they may include:
- itchiness
- skin rash
- swelling under the skin, usually affecting eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
- swelling of the mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe
- flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
Ways to manage
For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.
For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to hyoscyamine sublingual tablet, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.
Warnings for hyoscyamine
Below are some factors you may want to discuss with your doctor before taking hyoscyamine sublingual tablet.
Warnings
It may not be safe for you to take hyoscyamine sublingual tablet if you have specific health conditions. These are sometimes called drug-condition interactions. Other things may also affect whether hyoscyamine sublingual tablet is a safe treatment option for you.
Before taking hyoscyamine sublingual tablet, tell your doctor about your health and medications you take. Things to consider include:
Hyoscyamine and pregnancy
It’s not known whether hyoscyamine sublingual tablet should be taken during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.
Hyoscyamine and breastfeeding
Hyoscyamine sublingual tablet should not be taken while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication. Your doctor may recommend other ways to feed your child during treatment with hyoscyamine.
Hyoscyamine sublingual tablet is known to interact with alcohol.
Your doctor may recommend that you avoid alcohol while taking hyoscyamine sublingual tablet. Alcohol and hyoscyamine can both cause similar side effects, including drowsiness and dizziness. Drinking alcohol with hyoscyamine can worsen these side effects.
If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe to consume it during your treatment with hyoscyamine sublingual tablet.
What to ask your doctor
This article describes mild and serious side effects of hyoscyamine sublingual tablet. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they can discuss possible side effects with you. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about treatment with this medication.
Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- Is my risk of side effects higher when I first start treatment?
- How do the side effects of hyoscyamine sublingual tablet compare to the side effects of other drugs used for my condition?
- Do I have a higher risk of side effects than others?
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
