Generic name: hyoscyamine [ hye-oh-SYE-a-meen ]
Drug class: Anticholinergics / antispasmodics

Medically reviewed by Sanjai Sinha, MD. Last updated on Nov 16, 2024.

What is Levsin?

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

Levsin 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.

Levsin 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. This medicine is sometimes used to reduce tremors and rigid muscles in people with symptoms of Parkinson's disease.

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

Warnings

Do not take Levsin if you are allergic to hyoscyamine, or if you have kidney disease, a bladder or intestinal obstruction, severe ulcerative colitis, toxic megacolon, glaucoma, or myasthenia gravis.

Before taking Levsin, tell your doctor if you have heart disease, congestive heart failure, a heart rhythm disorder, high blood pressure, overactive thyroid, or hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Avoid taking antacids at the same time you take Levsin. Antacids can make it harder for your body to absorb this medicine. If you use an antacid, take it after you have taken this medicine 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 this medicine.

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

Before taking this medicine

Do not take Levsin if you are allergic to hyoscyamine, 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 Levsin, 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).

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.

How should I take Levsin?

Take Levsin exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Your medication may come with patient instructions for safe and effective use. Follow these directions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

Levsin is usually taken before a meal. Follow your doctor's instructions.

The sublingual Levsin SL tablet must be placed under the tongue, where it will dissolve. Do not swallow the sublingual tablet whole or wash it down with water. You may drink water after the pill has completely dissolved in your mouth.

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What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

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.

What to avoid

Avoid taking antacids at the same time you take Levsin. Antacids can make it harder for your body to absorb this medicine. If you use an antacid, take it after you have taken this medicine 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 Levsin.

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

Levsin side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Levsin: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using this medicine and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• diarrhea;

• confusion, hallucinations;

• unusual thoughts or behavior;

• fast, pounding, or uneven heart rate;

• rash or flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling); or

• eye pain.

Less serious Levsin side effects may include:

• dizziness, drowsiness, feeling nervous;

• blurred vision, headache;

• sleep problems (insomnia);

• nausea, vomiting, bloating, heartburn, or constipation;

• changes in taste;

• problems with urination;

• decreased sweating;

• dry mouth; or

• impotence, loss of interest in sex, or trouble having an orgasm.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect Levsin?

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.

Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use Levsin only for the indication prescribed.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

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