Name of the medicine:

Hyoscine hydrobromide 1.5mg transdermal patch for respiratory secretions (Scopoderm®)

(Each patch delivers 1mg of hyoscine over 72 hours)

The information given in this leaflet should be read along with any patient information leaflet provided by the manufacturer with your medicine. Click Search Results - (emc) (medicines.org.uk)

What is it for?

Hyoscine hydrobromide belongs to a group of medicines called “anti-cholinergics”.  These medicines help to reduce excess saliva or prevent the formation of secretions that can cause problems in your respiratory tract. Your respiratory tract is the part of your body involved with breathing. The secretions can build up if you are unable to clear your throat and can cause noisy breathing. This can be distressing.

A patch can be a useful way of giving a medicine when you are unable to swallow or when it is not possible to give the medicine another way, for example by injection.

Most medicines available in the UK have a licence. The licence describes the conditions the medicine can be used to treat, and how the medicine can be given. The manufacturer of the medicine has to show that the medicine is safe and made to a high standard before the medicine is licenced.

The use of hyoscine hydrobromide patches for respiratory secretions is outside its license. Medicines used in palliative care are quite often used this way. There is experience to support the use of hyoscine hydrobromide in this way.  The person who prescribed your medicine will have carefully considered the benefits for you.

The information in this leaflet is not included in the information leaflet supplied with the medicine.

We are giving you this extra leaflet to tell you about the reason(s) why you are taking this medicine and to highlight other information. You should read both leaflets.  

What form(s) of this medicine are there and how is it usually taken?

Hyoscine hydrobromide 1.5mg transdermal patch is applied to the area of thin skin behind your ear and left in place for 3 days (72 hours). The medicine is absorbed through your skin and into your bloodstream.   If necessary, further patches may be applied as advised by your doctor or other health professional. Sometimes the patches can be cut in half or placed on a thicker area of skin such as your tummy to give a smaller dose. After 72 hours, you should remove the patch(es).

Replace it with a new one.

The leaflet supplied with the patches contains instructions and pictures to help you. 

What are the most common side effects I might experience?

Hyoscine hydrobromide can also dry up other secretions in your body. You may experience a dry mouth or dry and gritty eyes. Other side effects may include:

The patch may irritate the area of skin it is applied to. The patch may loosen and fall off if the skin behind your ear becomes moist.

What other information should I know about this medicine?

Hyoscine hydrobromide will help to prevent respiratory secretions from forming, but it will not have any effect on secretions which have already formed.

Wash your hands after handling the patches to prevent transferring hyoscine to your eyes.

Please remember to order your repeat prescription with a few days spare, to allow it to be processed.

It is important not to order more medication than you need. Even if you return them to the pharmacy in future, they cannot be reused after they have been labelled for your use and must be disposed of.

Your medication needs to be kept in a safe place out of the reach of children.

It is important to store your medication in the original container.

Return ALL unused medication to a pharmacy.

If for any reason a you or your carer are UNABLE to go to the pharmacy, medication can be disposed of at home. However, it is important NOT to flush it down the toilet as this pollutes the water. Medication can be disposed of in a general waste bin, ensuring that cannot be accessed by children or animals, although disposal at a pharmacy is preferable.

Any other important information?

As well as taking medicines, changing how you are sitting or lying down can sometimes help.

To prevent having an uncomfortable dry mouth, regular mouth care should be carried out. You should clean your teeth at least twice a day. Regular sips or sprays of water or artificial saliva preparations can be used. Your lips should also be moistened with a lip moisturiser, such as a lip balm. Dry eyes may be relieved by using lubricating eye drops, ointment or gels. Please ask your pharmacist for advice on the best one for you.