Suppositories “Buscopan” during pregnancy and before childbirth

Pregnancy is a special and frequently difficult time for a woman’s body because of all the changes that can lead to pain or discomfort. Cramping is a common problem for many expectant mothers, particularly as the due date draws near. Healthcare professionals may recommend medications such as "Buscopan" suppositories in certain situations.

Known for its capacity to reduce muscle spasms and cramps, "buscopan" can help lessen the discomfort associated with the last stages of pregnancy. But a lot of pregnant women are worried about taking medicine and wonder if it’s safe for the unborn child as well as for them.

This post will discuss the use of "Buscopan" suppositories during pregnancy, their effectiveness, and some things expectant mothers should know before deciding to use them. In order to make the best choice for you and your child, it’s critical to comprehend both the advantages and any possible risks.

Features of the drug

Ten pieces of "Buscopan" suppositories are sold without a prescription. Suppositories come in foil strips, five per unit. Their smooth surface, ivory color, and oblong shape define them. It’s advised to keep these suppositories at room temperature when storing them at home. One box costs 350 rubles on average, and they have a five-year shelf life.

Hyoscine butylbromide is the drug’s primary ingredient. Ten milligrams are contained in each suppository. The medication also contains purified water and solid fat to help the suppository maintain its shape and dissolve quickly after being administered. This particular form of "Buscopan" contains no additional chemical compounds.

Principle of action

Smooth muscle M-cholinergic receptors can be blocked by the active ingredient in suppositories. The outcome will be a localized antispasmodic effect that shows up as the internal organs’ muscular membranes relaxing. The medication affects the urinary tract, uterus, bile ducts, and intestines. It can stop spasms and also reduce the secretion from glands related to digestion.

Is it allowed for pregnant women?

There haven’t been enough studies to demonstrate Buscopan’s safety for the fetus, according to the annotation on the suppositories. As a result, using such a medication while pregnant is advised only when directed by a physician.

These suppositories have been used for many years by obstetricians and gynecologists in their practice, and no adverse effects on the child have been reported. All medical professionals do, however, stress to expectant patients that Buscopan should not be used on its own. A specialist who is keeping an eye on the expectant mother, is certain that the medication is necessary, and will design a personalized treatment plan should be the one to prescribe it.

Using suppositories voluntarily or as a precaution is not permitted.

When prescribed to expectant mothers?

Preparing pregnant women for childbirth is the most frequent reason Buscopan is prescribed. Suppositories help prepare the cervix for labor by opening it up during the latter stages of pregnancy. When the woman’s body and fetus are already fully ready for childbirth, around 38 to 39 weeks, the medication is frequently prescribed for prevention. Suppositories are used in this case five to ten days prior to the anticipated delivery date. In addition, if the pregnancy has started to progress past its term, suppositories are used at 40–41 weeks.

In the early stages, "Buscopan" can also be used, but only under a doctor’s supervision. If the woman complains of lower abdominal pain and there is a risk of miscarriage, the medication may be prescribed during the first trimester. The woman will be given a prescription for medication treatment if there is a chance of the pregnancy ending. One option would be to use "Buscopan," but many obstetricians and gynecologists prefer more gentle medications due to the drug’s strong effect and the lack of data regarding the drug’s effect on the fetus. When it cannot be avoided, buscopan is used in early pregnancy in rare instances.

The fear of miscarriage is another reason to use suppositories in the second trimester of pregnancy.

Since the medication can cause premature birth if taken incorrectly or if patient instructions are not followed, the decision to use it for this particular indication is made on an individual basis. Furthermore, "Buscopan" can be used for renal colic, pylorospasm, intestinal colic, peptic ulcers, spasm of the bile ducts, and spasms of the gastrointestinal tract at the beginning and end of pregnancy.

Despite years of experience using suppositories, the manufacturer advises avoiding "Buscopan" in the first two trimesters if at all possible, as there is no reliable information regarding the impact of hyoscine butylbromide on embryonic development, despite the drug’s small bloodstream entry and mostly localized effects.

If there are alternative medications for colic, spasms, or hypertonicity that can be used in place of Buscopan and whose safety for the infant has been established, then those should be used.

Contraindications

Treatment with Buscopan in suppositories is prohibited in case of hypersensitivity to the active component of the drug. The drug is not prescribed for an autoimmune disease called myasthenia gravis. In addition, the drug is contraindicated in a colon defect called megacolon. If a woman has any chronic pathologies, the possibility of using Buscopan is determined by her attending physician. Suppositories can enhance the therapeutic effects of some other medications, such as antihistamines or beta-adrenergic agonists. Such interaction can increase the risk of side effects of Buscopan and the drugs used with it, as well as enhance side effects if they have already appeared. Therefore, the compatibility of drugs that the expectant mother is already taking should be clarified with the doctor before starting to use suppositories.

The medication should not be administered to a woman who has closed-angle glaucoma, suspected intestinal obstruction, or an irregular heart rhythm (tachyarrhythmia). When taking Buscopan for abdominal pain, expectant mothers should notify their doctor right away if the pain does not go away or if it gets worse.

If you experience any other concerning symptoms, like vomiting, fever, stools that change, low blood pressure, or fainting, you should also see a doctor right away.

Before giving birth, during pregnancy, and during cramping in the stomach region, Buscopan suppositories can help ease discomfort. Even though they are occasionally suggested for relieving symptoms like cramps or intestinal spasms, it’s crucial to use them only under medical supervision because every pregnancy is unique. To make sure a medication is safe for you and your baby, always check with your doctor. Some medications have side effects or can interfere with other treatments.

Side effects

Some women experience allergy-like reactions when exposed to Buscopan’s active ingredient. It shows up as various allergies, including anaphylaxis, and skin reactions, like redness or hives. Because of this, patients who are prone to allergies should use the medication with even more caution.

• dry mouth;
• constipation;
• increased heart rate;
• drowsiness;
• urinary retention;
• dry skin;
• nausea;
• eczema of the skin of the soles and palms (dyshidrotic).

When the drug’s dosage is exceeded, the same adverse effects manifest. Furthermore, it is improper to alter the dosage of suppositories prescribed by a doctor on your own because an excess of "Buscopan" can impair intestinal motility and result in visual impairment. When suppositories are stopped, the majority of their side effects go away on their own; however, in certain situations, prescription drugs are needed to get rid of unwanted effects.

Instructions for use

The physician chooses how to use the suppository, taking the indications and clinical picture into consideration. The directions advise inserting "Buscopan" rectally, and if a woman experiences digestive tract issues or urinary tract spasms, this is a recommended course of action. The suppositories are placed into the vagina if the medication is intended to affect the uterus and its cervix.

It’s crucial to discuss the medication’s dosage schedule with your physician. One "Buscopan" suppository is prescribed to some expectant mothers each day, two suppositories at a time to others, and putting one suppository twice a day or more frequently is advised for others. Changes in the pregnant woman’s symptoms and tests are taken into consideration when modifying the treatment plan.

Wash your hands, remove the foil from Buscopan, lay down, and carefully insert the tapered end into the rectum (or, if the doctor prescribed vaginal suppositories, deeply into the vagina) in order to use the medication as directed.

You can put Buscopan in the refrigerator for a little while before using it to prevent the suppository from melting too quickly in your hands. The cooled suppository will then start to dissolve inside the patient’s body without having time to soften and maintain its shape.

It is advised to lie still for 20 to 30 minutes after inserting the suppository in order to guarantee that the medication stays in the intestines or vagina and that its active ingredient acts more quickly.

Reviews

The majority of testimonials from expectant mothers who were prescribed Buscopan by medical professionals are positive. The drug’s ease of use, minimal contraindications, rare side effects, and quick elimination of spasms are just a few of its many positive attributes that they highlight. Expectant mothers attested that labor activity was triggered and the actual labor process was facilitated by using the suppositories.

In the latter stages of pregnancy, when the baby’s birth is postponed or the cervix is not at all prepared for labor to begin, doctors have observed that Buscopan has a positive effect on inducing labor. They attest to the fact that these suppositories ease pelvic organ muscle tension, increase cervix elasticity and ease of opening, relieve spasms, and lower the risk of cervical ruptures. When discussing the drug’s drawbacks, people typically only bring up its expensive price because there are less expensive medications that have a comparable effect.

It is important to use caution when using Buscopan suppositories during pregnancy, particularly in the later stages or right before delivery. Even though they can ease some pains, like cramps, it’s important to speak with your doctor before taking them.

Since every pregnancy is unique, what suits one woman may not be appropriate for another. It’s crucial to discuss the advantages and possible hazards with a specialist who is familiar with your medical background.

In the end, you and your unborn child’s safety are guaranteed when lines of communication are maintained with your physician. Asking questions and coming to educated decisions together is always preferable when you’re unsure about medications.

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