This information from Lexicomp® explains what you need to know about this medication, including what it’s used for, how to take it, its side effects, and when to call your healthcare provider.
Brand Names: US
Anaspaz; Ed-Spaz [DSC]; Hyosyne; Levbid; Levsin; Levsin/SL; NuLev; Oscimin; Oscimin SR [DSC]; Symax Duotab [DSC]; Symax-SL [DSC]; Symax-SR [DSC]
What is this drug used for?
- It is used to slow the speed in the stomach and GI (gastrointestinal) tract.
- It is used to treat infant belly pain.
- It is used to treat diarrhea.
- It is used to treat GI (gastrointestinal) ulcers.
- It is used to treat irritable bowel syndrome.
- It is used to treat muscle spasms of the GI (gastrointestinal) tract, gallbladder system, or urinary system.
- It is used to treat a runny nose.
- It is used to prevent irritation of the pancreas.
- It is used during surgery.
- It may be given to your child for other reasons. Talk with the doctor.
What do I need to tell the doctor BEFORE my child takes this drug?
- If your child is allergic to this drug; any part of this drug; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell the doctor about the allergy and what signs your child had.
- If your child has any of these health problems: Bowel block, bleeding problems, diarrhea, enlarged colon, glaucoma, heart problems, myasthenia gravis, slow-moving GI (gastrointestinal) tract, an esophagus that is not normal, ulcerative colitis, or trouble passing urine.
This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with this drug.
Tell the doctor and pharmacist about all of your child’s drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe to give this drug with all of your child’s other drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug your child takes without checking with the doctor.
What are some things I need to know or do while my child takes this drug?
All products:
- Tell all of your child’s health care providers that your child is taking this drug. This includes your child’s doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
- Have your child avoid tasks or actions that call for alertness or clear eyesight until you see how this drug affects your child. These are things like riding a bike, playing sports, or using items such as scissors, lawnmowers, electric scooters, toy cars, or motorized vehicles.
- Alcohol may interact with this drug. Be sure your child does not drink alcohol.
- Talk with your child’s doctor before your child uses marijuana, other forms of cannabis, or prescription or OTC drugs that may slow your child’s actions.
- Heat stroke has happened in people taking this drug. Have your child be careful in hot weather and during physical activity.
- Good mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help with dry mouth. Have your child see a dentist often.
- Different brands of this drug may be for use in different ages of children. Talk with the doctor before giving this drug to a child.
- If the patient is a child, use this drug with care. The risk of some side effects may be higher in children.
If your child is pregnant or breast-feeding a baby:
- Talk with the doctor if your child is pregnant, becomes pregnant, or is breast-feeding a baby. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks to your child and the baby.
Extended-release tablets:
- You may see something that looks like the tablet in your child’s stool. This is normal and not a cause for concern. If you have questions, talk with your child’s doctor.
What are some side effects that I need to call my child’s doctor about right away?
WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your child’s doctor or get medical help right away if your child has any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:
- Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Severe dizziness or passing out.
- Feeling confused.
- Mood changes.
- Change in how you act.
- Diarrhea.
- Hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not there).
- Memory problems or loss.
- Trouble sleeping.
- Change in speech.
- Change in balance.
- Change in eyesight, eye pain, or severe eye irritation.
- Trouble passing urine.
- Not sweating during activities or in warm temperatures.
- Fever.
- Flushing.
- Fast or abnormal heartbeat.
If your child is or may be sexually active:
- Not able to get or keep an erection.
What are some other side effects of this drug?
All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your child’s doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother your child or do not go away:
- Feeling dizzy, sleepy, tired, or weak.
- Blurred eyesight.
- Dry eyes.
- Headache.
- Upset stomach or throwing up.
- Stomach pain.
- Change in taste.
- Feeling nervous and excitable.
- Constipation.
- Dry mouth.
- Feeling full.
These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your child’s doctor. Call your child’s doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to your national health agency.
How is this drug best given?
Give this drug as ordered by your child’s doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.
All oral products:
- Give 30 to 60 minutes before meals.
- Do not give antacids at the same time as this drug. Ask the doctor if you have a question about how to give antacids with this drug.
All liquid products:
- Measure liquid doses carefully. Use the measuring device that comes with this drug. If there is none, ask the pharmacist for a device to measure this drug.
Extended-release tablets:
- Have your child swallow whole. Do not let your child chew, break, or crush.
Oral-disintegrating tablet:
- Place on the tongue and let dissolve.
- Some tablets may also be chewed. Check with the pharmacist if you have questions about how to give this drug.
- Do not let your child swallow it whole.
Under the tongue (sublingual) tablet:
- Place tablet under the tongue and let dissolve.
- Some tablets may also be chewed. Check with the pharmacist if you have questions about how to give this drug.
Injection:
- It is given as a shot into a muscle, vein, or into the fatty part of the skin.
What do I do if my child misses a dose?
All oral products:
- If your child takes this drug on a regular basis, give a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
- If it is close to the time for your child’s next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your child’s normal time.
- Do not give 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.
- Many times this drug is given on an as needed basis. Do not give to your child more often than told by the doctor.
Injection:
- Call your child’s doctor to find out what to do.
How do I store and/or throw out this drug?
All oral products:
- Store at room temperature in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
Injection:
- If you need to store this drug at home, talk with your child’s doctor, nurse, or pharmacist about how to store it.
All products:
- Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
- Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.
General drug facts
- If your child’s symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your child’s doctor.
- Do not share your child’s drug with others and do not give anyone else’s drug to your child.
- Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with your child’s doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This generalized information is a limited summary of diagnosis, treatment, and/or medication information. It is not meant to be comprehensive and should be used as a tool to help the user understand and/or assess potential diagnostic and treatment options. It does NOT include all information about conditions, treatments, medications, side effects, or risks that may apply to a specific patient. It is not intended to be medical advice or a substitute for the medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment of a health care provider based on the health care provider’s examination and assessment of a patient’s specific and unique circumstances. Patients must speak with a health care provider for complete information about their health, medical questions, and treatment options, including any risks or benefits regarding use of medications. This information does not endorse any treatments or medications as safe, effective, or approved for treating a specific patient. UpToDate, Inc. and its affiliates disclaim any warranty or liability relating to this information or the use thereof. The use of this information is governed by the Terms of Use, available at https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/know/clinical-effectiveness-terms.
Last Reviewed Date
2024-06-26
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