Levsin vs. Atropine

• Are Levsin and Atropine the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Levsin?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Atropine?
• What Is Levsin?
• What Is Atropine?
• What Drugs Interact with Levsin?
• What Drugs Interact with Atropine?
• How Should Levsin Be Taken?
• How Should Atropine Be Taken?

Levsin(hyoscyamine) andatropineare both types of anticholinergics used to treat different conditions.

Levsin is used to treat differentstomachand intestinal disorders, includingpeptic ulcerandirritable bowel syndrome. Levsin is also used tocontrolmusclespasmsinthebladder, kidneys, or digestive tract, and to reduce stomach acid. Levsin is sometimes used to reduce tremors and rigid muscles in people with symptoms of帕金森病, and is also used as a drying agent to control excessive salivation,runny nose, or excessivesweating.

Atropine is used to treatbradycardia(lowheart rate), reduce salivation and bronchial secretions beforesurgery, and as anantidotefor overdose of cholinergic drugs or mushroompoisoning.

Side effectsof Levsin and atropine that are similar includedizziness,blurred visionand vision problems,dry mouth,nausea, and decreased sweating.

Side effects of Levsin that are different from atropine include drowsiness, nervousness,headache, trouble sleeping (insomnia),constipation, vomiting, bloating,heartburn, changes intaste, problems with urination,impotence, loss of interest in sex, trouble having anorgasm, flushing, ordry skin.

Side effects of atropine that are different from Levsin includesensitivityto light, loss ofbalance, hypersensitivity reactions (such asskinrash), or rapid heartbeat. Excess doses of atropine sulfate may cause side effects such aspalpitations, dilated pupils, difficulty swallowing, hot dry skin, thirst, dizziness, restlessness,tremor,fatigue, and problems with coordination.

Levsin may interact withalcohol,amantadine,haloperidol, MAO inhibitors, phenothiazines, orantidepressants.

Atropine may interact with pralidoxime.

Common side effects of Levsin include:

• dizziness,
• drowsiness,
• nervousness,
• blurred vision,
• drymouth,
• vision problems,
• headache,
• trouble sleeping (insomnia),
• constipation,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• bloating,
• heartburn,
• changes in taste,
• problems with urination,
• impotence,
• loss of interest in sex,
• trouble having an orgasm,
• flushing,
• dry skin, and
• decreased sweating.

Tell yourdoctorif you experience unlikely but serious side effects of Levsin including:

• mental/mood changes (e.g., confusion, unusual excitement),
• fast/irregular heartbeat,
• loss of coordination, or
• slurred speech.

Common side effects of Atropine include:

• dry mouth,
• blurred vision,
• sensitivity to light,
• lack of sweating,
• dizziness,
• nausea,
• loss of balance,
• hypersensitivity reactions (such as skin rash), and
• rapid heartbeat (tachycardia).

Excess doses of atropine sulfate may cause side effects such as palpitations, dilated pupils, difficulty swallowing, hot dry skin, thirst, dizziness, restlessness, tremor, fatigue, and problems with coordination.

Levsin (hyoscyamine) is one of the principalanticholinergic/antispasmodiccomponents ofbelladonnaalkaloids used to treat different stomach and intestinal disorders, including pepticulcerand irritablebowelsyndrome. Levsin is also used to control muscle spasms in the bladder, kidneys, or digestive tract, and to reduce stomach acid. Levsin is sometimes used to reduce tremors and rigid muscles in people with symptoms of Parkinson'sdisease, and is also used as a drying agent to control excessive salivation, runnynose, or excessive sweating. Levsin is available ingenericform.

Atropine Sulfate Injection is an antimuscarinic agent used to treat bradycardia (lowheartrate), reduce salivation and bronchial secretions before surgery, as an antidote for overdose of cholinergic drugs or mushroom poisoning.

Levsin may interact with amantadine, haloperidol, MAO inhibitors, phenothiazines, or antidepressants. Tell your doctor all medications you use. Levsin should be used only when prescribed duringpregnancy. This drug passes intobreast milk. Consult your doctor beforebreastfeeding.

Atropine Sulfate may interact with other drugs. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use. During pregnancy, Atropine Sulfate should be used only if prescribed. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Dosage of Levsin for adults and children 12 years of age and older: 1 to 2 tablets every four hours or as needed. Do not exceed 12 tablets in 24 hours.Pediatricpatients 2 to under 12 years of age: ½ to 1tabletevery four hours or as needed. Do not exceed 6 tablets in 24 hours.

Initial single doses of Atropine Sulfate in adults vary from 0.5mgto 1 mg (5 - 10 mL of the 0.1 mg/mL solution) for antisialagogue and other antivagal effects, to 2 to 3 mg (20 - 30 mL of the 0.1 mg/mL solution) as an antidote for organophosporous or muscarinic mushroom poisoning.