Hyoscine Butylbromide(Buscopan®) - A guide for patients

This page contains information on hyoscine butylbromide (also known by its brand name Buscopan®), which may be given to you when you have an abdominal or pelvic MRI or CT scan.

If you have any further questions, please speak to the staff caring for you.

Further information about the medicine is also available in the manufacturer’s patient information leaflet - please ask us if you would like a copy.

What is hyoscine butylbromide (Buscopan®)?

As your bowel is constantly moving in a motion known as peristalsis, this can make the MRI or CT scan pictures blurry.

Buscopan® belongs to a group of medicines called ‘antispasmodics’, which means that it helps to slow down this movement and improve the quality of your pictures.

A radiologist (a doctor who is a specialist in reading and interpreting x-rays and other medical images) will decide if you need to have this medicine and will discuss this with you.

How is it given?

Buscopan® can be injected directly into a muscle (usually in the arm) or given through a cannula (a soft, hollow, plastic tube) during your scan. The cannula is inserted through your skin into a vein using a needle. Once the cannula is in place, the needle is removed leaving a small thin plastic tube in the blood vessel. This should be comfortable and will only be in place until your scan is finished.

One dose is usually given before or during the scan.

Are there any side effects?

Like all medicines, hyoscine butylbromide can cause side effects although not everybody will experience them. Some of the more common side effects include blurred vision, a dry mouth, dizziness, increased heart rate, constipation and pain at the injection site. If you have any concerns about side effects, please speak to the staff caring for you.

Serious side effects have been rarely reported.

If you experience blurred vision, we advise you not to drive or operate machinery until this has worn off.

If you have any questions or concerns, or experience any of the above symptoms please seek immediate medical attention or attend A&E if you have any of the following:

• Allergic reactions such as skin rash, hives and itching
• Severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) such as difficulty breathing, feeling faint or dizzy (shock)
• Nausea and vomiting
• Painful red eye with loss of vision.

If you require this information in a different format please let us know via customercare@alliance.co.uk