How And When To Take Buscopan

Always follow the advice of your doctor or pharmacist or the instructions that come with Buscopan.

Dosage and strength

Each Buscopan tablet contains 10mg of hyoscine butylbromide. Buscopan tablets are all the same strength whether you get them on prescription or whether you buy them as Buscopan Cramps or Buscopan IBS Relief.

The usual dose for stomach cramps (or cramping pain) in adults and children aged 12 years or over is 1 tablet, taken 3 times a day increased to 2 tablets, taken 4 times a day if needed.

For children aged 6 to 11 years, the usual dose for stomach cramps (or cramping pain) is 1 tablet, taken 3 times a day.

The usual dose for symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) diagnosed by a doctor in adults and children aged 12 years or over is 1 tablet, taken 3 times a day. You can increase this to 2 tablets, taken 4 times a day if needed.

How to take it

Take Buscopan tablets when you have stomach cramps or period pain.

Buscopan does not usually upset your stomach, so you can take it with or without food.

Swallow the tablet whole with a drink of water. Do not break, crush or chew it.

How long to take it for

Do not take Buscopan for longer than 2 weeks unless your doctor tells you to.

Talk to your doctor if your symptoms change, get worse or have not improved after 2 weeks. Your doctor will want to rule out an illness that may be causing your symptoms.

If you forget to take it

If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember, unless it's nearly time for the next dose. In this case, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the usual time.

Never take 2 doses at the same time. Never take an extra dose to make up for a forgotten one.

If you often forget doses, it may help to set an alarm to remind you. You could also ask your pharmacist for advice on other ways to help you remember to take your medicines.

If you take too much

If you take 1 extra dose of Buscopan, it's unlikely to harm you.

Speak to your pharmacist or doctor if you're worried.

Contact 111 for advice now if:

you take 2 or more extra doses of Buscopan

Call 111 or get help from 111 online.

If you need to go to A&E, do not drive. Ask someone to drive you or call 999 and ask for an ambulance.

Bring the Buscopan packet or the leaflet inside it, any remaining medicine, and any other medicines you take.

Sexual Health Advice

Throughout this series we have help and advice on staying healthy, dealing with Sexually Transmitted Infections, the risks of each type of the most popular gay sex and what to do if the sex you have is not consentual. The topics covered in this series include:

	This item was in brought to you association with NHS website. Follow the links above for more information and don't forget to check out OutUK's A to Z of Gay Health which features items on everything from relationships, sexual health, mental and physical conditions and how to stay fit. This week our topic is: L - Lung Cancer.
Photos: OutUK and LightFieldStudios.