Antimuscarinic Pregnancy: Safety in pregnancy and lactation not established, though no definite evidence of adverse consequences if taken during early pregnancy; no significant quantities found in milk. Should not be used during pregnancy unless the expected benefit outweighs any possible risk to the foetus.

Hyoscine hydrobromide

Brand names: Joy-Rides, Kwells, Scopoderm

Hyoscine hydrobromide (scopolamine) is an antimuscarinic agent used for motion sickness and, in palliative care, for the management of excessive respiratory secretions.

Auto-extracted from the source labelling — not yet independently clinician-verified. These values were distilled from the UK SPC (or the US label where noted) but have not had a clinician sign-off. Confirm against the current SmPC before prescribing.

Adult dose

Dose: One tablet

Route: Oral

Frequency: Take 20 minutes before the journey; may be repeated in 6-8 hours if necessary

Max: Not more than three doses in 24 hours

SPC for Boots Travel Calm Tablets (motion sickness). Adults and children over 12 years: one tablet. Elderly: the normal adult dose is still appropriate. Take 20 minutes before the journey; may be repeated in 6-8 hours if necessary; no more than three doses in 24 hours. Children by age band (fraction of a tablet): 7-12 years half a tablet; 3-7 years quarter of a tablet; not to be taken by children under 3 years. May cause drowsiness; avoid alcohol.

Dose auto-extracted from UK Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) via the eMC — not yet clinician-verified. Always confirm against the product SmPC and your local formulary before prescribing.

Contraindications

Prostatic enlargement
Paralytic ileus
Pyloric stenosis
Closed angle glaucoma

Side effects

Drowsiness, dryness of the mouth, thirst
Mydriasis, loss of accommodation, photophobia, increased intra-ocular pressure
Flushing, dry skin
Bradycardia followed by tachycardia, with palpitations and arrhythmias
Difficulty in micturition; constipation (reduced GI tone and motility); occasionally vomiting, giddiness, staggering; confusion and hallucinations reported in children

Interactions

Other drugs with anticholinergic properties (amantadine, some antihistamines, butyrophenones, phenothiazines, tricyclic antidepressants): may enhance the effects of hyoscine
Alcohol: should be avoided
Other drugs given orally: absorption may be affected by hyoscine-induced reduction in gastric motility

Clinical monograph

How it works

It is a competitive antagonist at muscarinic acetylcholine receptors and, being centrally penetrant, also acts within the central nervous system to reduce the vestibular and emetic responses underlying motion sickness.

Prescribing in practice

Antimuscarinic effects can precipitate or worsen angle-closure glaucoma, urinary retention and confusion, so use with caution in the elderly and in those at risk.
It commonly causes drowsiness, dry mouth and blurred vision, and may impair the ability to drive or operate machinery.
Distinguish hyoscine hydrobromide from hyoscine butylbromide, which is a peripherally acting antispasmodic with different uses, to avoid prescribing confusion.

Monitoring

Routine laboratory monitoring is not required; monitor clinically for antimuscarinic adverse effects, particularly in older or susceptible patients.

Counselling the patient

This medicine can make you drowsy and cause dry mouth and blurred vision; do not drive or operate machinery if affected.
Avoid alcohol, which can increase drowsiness.

Evidence & guidelines

Hyoscine hydrobromide is an established treatment for motion sickness and for the symptomatic control of respiratory secretions in palliative care.

Reference: Palliative care formulary; Drug verified in RxNorm (NLM); confirm dosing against the manufacturer SPC (eMC). Verify against your local formulary and current prescribing references before prescribing. The structured dose values shown have been reviewed by a clinician. Monograph status: clinician-reviewed (2026-07-04).

Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.

Drugs