Buscopan

Bazile | 15:19 Thu 01st Sep 2016 | Body & Soul

27 Answers

The question below has reminded me of a question i have been meaning to ask .

Some weeks ago i had a bout of stomach pain .
Having spoken to the pharmacist , he duly prescribed Buscopan , which alleviated the pain .

However , i note on the box that it says ' for medically confirmed IBS '

I queried with the Pharmacist , the fact that i have not been medically diagnosed with IBS .
He said that it is normally prescribed ( over the counter i assumed he meant ) for stomach pain / ache

My question is why would it state so on the box , if you can take it without a diagnosis of IBS being made ?

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Jackdaw33

Funnily enough I have just mentioned this on the IBS thread. It's not just for that. It's also for stomach cramps and to relieve blockages. I have been taking it on and off for over 40 years and I swear by it.

hc4361

Buscopan can be taken for any stomach cramps but you should not take for IBS unless it has been diagnosed by a doctor. From the information leaflet:

BUSCOPAN Tablets are used to relieve cramps in the
muscles of your:
• Stomach
• Gut (intestine)
• Bladder and the tubes that lead to the outside of
your body (urinary system)
It can also be used to relieve the symptoms of
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).

Bazile

Question Author

//..Buscopan can be taken for any stomach cramps but you should not take for IBS unless it has been diagnosed by a doctor. //

Since some of the symptoms of IBS are -abdominal (stomach) pain and cramping , you could end up taking it , before you are disgnosed with IBS .

Do you see what i'm getting at ?

Sqad

Bazille.......we have unfortunately moved away from the concept of Drs diagnose and Pharmacists dispense.........this is "blunderbuss" medicine....take these tablets and if they don't work......see your Dr.

Jackdaw33

Buscopan is not a pain-killer, it is a muscle relaxant. Often abdominal pain is the result of the muscles in the abdomen trying to do their normal job in removing waste and then meeting an obstacle, such as a kinky bowel or a bit of undigested food (peanuts were my downfall). The muscles try even harder, resulting in severe cramps. Buscopan relaxes these muscles so the pain stops and eventually nature takes its course. That's what my GP told me.

hc4361

I do, Bazile, but you shouldn't assume you have IBS. Get a diagnosis.

Bazile

Question Author

But i didn't take it because i think i have IBS.

As far as i am aware i don't have IBS , given that i dont have any of the other symptoms of IBS- So i'm not treating IBS .

So what happens if you do have IBS , and take it without IBS actually been diagnosed by a doctor ?

Jackdaw33

Not a lot, I would think.

Mamyalynne

The Pharmacist based on your symptoms and his/her experience sold it to you for relief of your stomach pain.

It will say on the packet that if things do not clear up see your GP and they may then investigate more fully.

Only then would you get a possible diagnosis of a condition.

Peter Pedant

Isnt this a long question for

why isnt my pharmacist, a doctor ?

actually you could ask - what's the difference between a pharmacist and a doctor - answer oo about five years at medical school ....

Jackdaw33

I don't know what the situation is now, but 50 odd years ago most pharmacists were medical students who had failed their second year exams. They were then chucked out of med school and on to the pharmacy course, which of course took longer. There was no degree at the end of it, merely entry to the professional body.

Mamyalynne

https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/i-am/considering-or-university/studying-pharmacy

Bazile

Question Author

Right i see where my slight 'confusion' lies .

There are two products

' Buscopan Cramps '

And there is -

'Buscopan - IBS relief '

https://www.buscopan.co.uk/products/

So the pharmacist should not have given me the 'Buscopan - IBS relief '
without a diagnosis of IBS by a doctor .

Do you agree ?

Jackdaw33

I'd love to know the difference.

Mamyalynne

I think the Pharmacist gave you what they thought would help your symptoms, if it didn't help then you (the patient) should seek advice.

Bazile

Question Author

I half agree mammy - yes the pharmacist was acting in good faith, i'm sure

However , given that there are two products and one is targeted at IBS specifically , then i would question if he should have given me that one , without , ascertaining whether or not i had IBS diagnosed- as opposed to the other tablet .

There must be a reason why the manufacturer specifically states as they do on that packet .

Yes , of course if you have continuing symptoms then , an opinion from a doctor should be sought

-- answer removed --

woofgang

If you google you will find that the products are identical except for the printing on the box. Nurofen have just been told off for this...selling the same product in differently printed boxes as though its especially for one thing or another.

woofgang