Hyoscine Butylbromide (Kwells)

Hyoscine is the most effective medicine for travel sickness. It works by preventing the confusing messages going to your brain. There are a number of different brands of tablet available which contain hyoscine as a salt, called hyoscine hydrobromide. You can buy these without a prescription at pharmacies. There are two strengths of tablets available: 300 microgram tablets for adults, and 150 microgram tablets for children. The dose for younger children will require halving a tablet. There is also a product called Scopoderm® 1.5 mg patch which is only available on prescription. This is a patch for people aged 10 years or over. You stick the patch on to the skin behind your ear 5-6 hours before your journey, and then remove it at the end of the journey. The patch releases hyoscine through your skin and into your bloodstream. One of the other effects of hyoscine is that it causes a dry mouth. It is sometimes prescribed by doctors for this reason, rather than to prevent travel sickness. There is also a similar-sounding medicine called hyoscine butylbromide. This is an antispasmodic medicine which is used to relieve pain caused by tummy (abdominal) cramps. There is more information about this in a separate medicine leaflet called Hyoscine butylbromide tablets.

To make sure this is the right treatment for you, before you (or your child) start taking hyoscine, it is important that your doctor or pharmacist knows: If you are pregnant or breastfeeding. If you are unwell and have a high temperature (fever). If you have digestive system problems such as reflux disease, diarrhoea, or ulcerative colitis. If you have an eye condition called glaucoma. If you have high blood pressure, a fast heart rate, or any other heart problems. If you have problems with your liver, kidneys or prostate gland. If you have epilepsy. If you have a condition causing muscle weakness, called myasthenia gravis. If you have Down's syndrome. If you are taking any other medicines. This includes any medicines you are taking which are available to buy without a prescription, as well as herbal and complementary medicines. If you have ever had an allergic reaction to a medicine.

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with hyoscine hydrobromide. Just because a side effect is stated here does not mean that all people using Kwells will experience that or any side effect. Dry mouth. Drowsiness. Dizziness. Blurred vision or difficulty focusing. Dilated pupils. Reduced sweating. Restlessness. Confusion. Hallucinations. Difficulty passing urine. Rash.

Click here to view patient information leaflet