Do you often feel a stomach ache, a feeling of fullness, or discomfort like a stomach bug? Sometimes we think this is 'gastritis', but sometimes it could be another intestinal condition. So in such cases, your doctor may prescribe you a special medicine. Today we are talking about a type of medicine that you may have received, or may be familiar with.
What is this medicine?
Simply put, this is a combination of four medications. That is, all four active ingredients, Phenobarbital, Hyoscyamine, Atropine, and Scopolamine, are contained in this one pill. This medication may come under various brand names in our country.
This medicine is mainly used to treat stomach and intestinal conditions. For example, it is prescribed for stomach ulcers, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) , a condition that causes frequent stomach cramps and changes in bowel habits, and various types of inflammation in the intestines.
This medicine works by relaxing the muscles in your stomach and intestines. This reduces the frequent cramps, stomach pain, and discomfort. In addition to these main causes, doctors may use this medicine for other medical conditions. So if you have any questions about this, it's best to ask your doctor.
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking this medicine
Before starting this medication, you should definitely inform your doctor if you have any underlying medical conditions or problems, as this medication may interact with some medical conditions.
| Your medical condition or problem | Why should you inform? |
|---|---|
| Frequent constipation or diarrhea | This medicine may worsen these conditions. |
| Glaucoma, a disease of increased pressure in the eyes | This medicine can further increase eye pressure. |
| Heart disease | Heart rate may be affected. |
| Hiatal hernia and GERD | Symptoms may change or get worse. |
| Kidney or liver disease | The dosage may need to be adjusted because the medication may be difficult to remove from the body. |
| Myasthenia gravis (muscle weakness disease) | Symptoms may worsen. |
| Porphyria (a rare blood disease) | This medicine may aggravate the disease. |
| Prostate problems in men | Difficulty urinating may occur. |
| Ulcerative colitis | This medicine can cause serious complications. |
| Drug or alcohol addiction | Phenobarbital, which is contained in this medicine, is also a substance that can be addictive. |
| Being pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding | Medical advice is essential as this medicine may be harmful to the baby. |
| Allergies to other medications, foods, or dyes | To find out if you are allergic to this medicine or any of its ingredients. |
How exactly do you use this medicine?
Consider these points when using this medicine.
- Take the pill with a glass of water.
- Take the prescribed dose, at the prescribed time, as prescribed by your doctor.
- Continue taking the medicine until the doctor tells you to stop. Don't stop taking it on your own.
- Special care is needed if this medicine is given to children. Talk to your doctor about it.
- If you are over 65 years of age, your body may respond more strongly to this medicine, so you may need to be prescribed a lower dose.
Warning: Overdose
If you think you have taken too much of this medicine, immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital, or go to the Emergency Department (ETU) of the nearest hospital. Do not take this lightly.
Very important: This medicine has been prescribed for you only . Never share this medicine with anyone else. It is dangerous and illegal.
What to do if you miss a dose of medicine?
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Never take a double dose.
Other things that may interact with this medicine
When taking this medicine, do not take any of the medications listed below.
- Some medications for HIV. Examples: `(atazanavir, cobicistat, darunavir)`
- Voriconazole, an antifungal
In addition, other medications can interact with it. An example is warfarin, a medicine used to prevent blood clots.
This list is not complete. Therefore, tell your doctor about all the medications you take (including vitamins, herbal remedies, and supplements) . Also, be sure to tell your doctor if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use other drugs.
Things to keep in mind when taking medication
Pay attention to changes in your body while taking this medicine.
Severe skin allergies
Serious skin reactions may occur even after several weeks of using this medicine. If you develop a rash with symptoms similar to a fever or cold, see a doctor immediately. These rashes may turn red or purple, then blister and the skin may peel off. Or, if you develop a red rash with swelling of the face, lips, neck, or armpits, this is also a serious symptom.
Effects on attention and driving
This medicine may make you feel sleepy and dizzy. It may also reduce your ability to concentrate and make decisions. Therefore, avoid driving or operating machinery until you know how this medicine affects you. To avoid dizziness, do not get up suddenly from a sitting or lying position. Drinking alcohol can increase these side effects.
Dry mouth and eyes
Your mouth may feel dry. You can help manage this by chewing sugar-free gum, sucking on sugar-free candy, or drinking water frequently. If your eyes feel dry, especially if you wear contact lenses, you may experience discomfort. Ask your doctor about using lubricating drops.
Impact on birth control methods
If you are taking hormonal birth control pills (`(Estrogen/progestin)`), the effectiveness of those pills may be reduced while taking this medication. Therefore, it is advisable to use another form of birth control, such as a condom, while taking this medication. Talk to your doctor about this and get advice.
Be careful of excessive heat.
This medicine can reduce your body's ability to sweat. Therefore, when you are in places with high heat (e.g. hot tubs, saunas), your body temperature can rise dangerously, causing a condition called heat stroke. So be careful of excessive heat.
What side effects might I experience?
Like any medicine, this can cause side effects in some people. The table below lists possible side effects.
| Type of side effect | Symptoms |
|---|---|
| Side effects that you should report to your doctor immediately | |
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| Bowel blockage | Stomach pain, inability to defecate or pass air, loss of appetite, vomiting. |
| Fever with decreased sweating | Lack of sweating and fever despite body heat. |
| Difficulty urinating | Difficulty urinating or decreased urine output. |
| Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (but tell your doctor if they persist or are bothersome): | |
| Blurry vision | Difficulty seeing clearly. |
| Confusion | Difficulty in coming to terms. |
| Constipation | Difficulty going to the toilet. |
| Dizziness/Drowsiness | Feeling dizzy and often sleepy. |
| Dry mouth / Headache | Dry mouth and general headache. |
How do you protect your medicine?
Because this medication has the potential to be addictive, it is very important to keep it safe.
- Keep out of reach of children and pets.
- This can be misused by others, so keep it locked in a safe place to protect it from theft.
- Store at room temperature (between 20-25 degrees Celsius). Protect from extreme cold or heat. Keep the bottle tightly closed and away from light.
- Throw away expired medications. It is very important to properly dispose of unused medications. These can be fatal if ingested by another adult, child, or animal. When throwing away medications, check the label to see if it says to throw them in the trash or the toilet. If in doubt, ask your doctor. If you are throwing them in the trash, take the pills out of the container, mix them with something like used coffee grounds, soil, or cat litter, and put them in a sealable bag and throw them in the trash.
Take-Home Message
- This is a combination of four medications, mainly prescribed for stomach and intestinal cramps and discomfort.
- Before starting this medication, it is essential to inform your doctor about all medical conditions you have and all other medications you are taking.
- This medicine is prescribed for you only. Never share it with others. Taking too much medicine can be very dangerous.
- Be aware of side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, and dry mouth. Avoid driving until you know how this medication affects you.
- If a serious skin allergy occurs, seek medical advice immediately.
- Always store medicines in a safe place out of the reach of children and pets, and properly dispose of unused medicines.
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