Hyoscyamine

What is hyoscyamine?

Hyoscyamine is a chemical compound that occurs in nature as (S)-hyoscyamine. This is the biologically active form of the substance, which is found in datura, mandrake, angel's trumpet, belladonna and henbane, among others.

Hyoscyamine is an anticholinergic, which means that it blocks the effect of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine in the body. Acetylcholine is responsible for the transmission of nerve impulses in various places, for example in muscle cells, glandular cells or in the brain. By inhibiting acetylcholine, hyoscyamine can trigger various effects, depending on which receptors are affected.

How does hyoscyamine affect dogs?

Hyoscyamine is used in veterinary medicine primarily as an antispasmodic, i.e. it relaxes the smooth muscles in the organs. This can be helpful in cases of gastrointestinal cramps, cystitis or asthma, for example.

Hyoscyamine also has a calming effect on the central nervous system and can therefore be used to treat anxiety, restlessness or sleep disorders.

Hyoscyamine can also be used as an antidote for poisoning with insecticides or pesticides, which also inhibit acetylcholine and can therefore lead to life-threatening symptoms such as respiratory distress or cardiac arrest.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of hyoscyamine?

Like any medication, Hyoscyamine has pros and cons that you should consider before giving it to your dog.

The benefits include:

• It can quickly and effectively relieve cramping and pain.
• It can help your dog relax and sleep better.
• It can save your dog's life if he has poisoned himself with a toxin.

The disadvantages include:

• It can cause side effects such as dry mouth, constipation, heart palpitations or vision problems.
• Overdoses can occur, which can lead to severe symptoms of poisoning such as unconsciousness, hallucinations or coma.
• There may be interactions with other medications that also affect acetylcholine.