Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

HYOSCINE

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

An quaternary ammonium anticholinergic agent with peripheral actions. Used as an adjunct
in the treatment of gastric and duodenal ulcer and to relieve visceral spasm. Used also to
treat infantile colic. CAUTION: Hyoscine may cause drowsiness and dulling of mental
alertness. Patients undergoing treatment with hyoscine should not take charge of vehicles,
other means of transport where loss of attention may lead to accidents. Patients should
abstain from alcohol. Tropane alkaloid isolated from Datura metel L., Scopola carniolica
Jacq. and other Solanaceae. Constituent of the impure duboisine from Duboisia myoporoides.

SYNONYMS

C17-H21-N-O4, C17-H21-N-O4, "1alphaH, 5alphaH-tropan-3alpha-ol, 6beta, 7beta-epoxy-, (-
)-tropate (ester)", "6beta, 7beat-epoxy-1alphaH, 5alphaH-tropan-3alpha-ol (-)-tropate
ester", "6beta, 7beta-epoxy-3alpha-tropanyl S-(-)-tropate", "6beta, 7beta-epoxy-3alpha-
tropanyl S-(-)-tropate", "6, 7-epoxytropine tropate", "6, 7-epoxytropine tropate",
"expoxytropine tropate", "9-methyl-3-oxa-9-azatricyclo(3.3.1.0(2, 4))nonan-7-ol (-)-
tropate", "9-methyl-3-oxa-9-azatricyclo(3.3.1.0(2, 4))nonan-7-ol (-)-tropate",
"benzeneacetic acid, alpha-(hydroxymethyl)-, ", "9-methyl-3-oxa-9-
azatricyclo(3.3.1.0(2.4))non-7-yl ester, (7(S)-1alpha, 2beta, 4beta, 5alpha, 7beta))-",
"9-methyl-3-oxa-9-azatricyclo(3.3.1.0(2.4))non-7-yl ester, (7(S)-1alpha, 2beta, 4beta,
5alpha, 7beta))-", "alpha-(hydroxymethyl)benzeneacetic acid", "9-methyl-3-oxa-9-
azatricyclo(3.3.1.0(2, 4))non-7-yl ester(7(S)-1alpha, 2beta, 4beta, 5alpha, 7beta))-", "9-
methyl-3-oxa-9-azatricyclo(3.3.1.0(2, 4))non-7-yl ester(7(S)-1alpha, 2beta, 4beta, 5alpha,
7beta))-", "3-oxa-9-azatricyclo(3.3.1.0(sup 2, 4))nonan-7-ol, 9-methyl-, tropate ester",
"3-oxa-9-azatricyclo(3.3.1.0(sup 2, 4))nonan-7-ol, 9-methyl-, tropate ester", "9-methyl-
3-oxa-9-azatricyclo(3.3.1.0(sup 2, 4))nonan-7-ol tropate ester", "9-methyl-3-oxa-9-
azatricyclo(3.3.1.0(sup 2, 4))nonan-7-ol tropate ester", "tropic acid, 9-methyl-3-oxa-9-
azatricyclo(3.3.1.0(2, 4))non-7-yl ester", "tropic acid, 9-methyl-3-oxa-9-
azatricyclo(3.3.1.0(2, 4))non-7-yl ester", "tropic acid, ester with scopine", hyosceine,
"(7-(S)-(1alpha, 2beta, 4beta, 5alpha, 7beta)-alpha-(hydroxymethyl)-", "benzeneacetic
acid 9-methyl-3-oxa-9-azatricyclo-(3, 3, 1, 0(2, 4)non-7-ylester", "benzeneacetic acid 9-
methyl-3-oxa-9-azatricyclo-(3, 3, 1, 0(2, 4)non-7-ylester", "6beta, 7beta-epoxy-1alphaH,
5alphaH-tropan-3alpha-ol (-)-tropate", L-scopolamine, L-scopolamine, "scopine (-)-
tropate", (-)-scopolamine, (-)-hyoscine, Hyosol, Atrochin, Atroquin, "Isopto Hyoscine",
Oscine, "quaternary ammonium anticholinergic alkaloid"

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

Very toxic by inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed.

POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS

ACUTE HEALTH EFFECTS

SWALLOWED

  Severely toxic effects may result from the accidental ingestion of the material; animal experiments indicate that ingestion of less than 5 gram may be fatal or may produce serious damage to the health of the individual.  Limited evidence exists that the substance may cause irreversible but non-lethal mutagenic effects following a single exposure.  Quaternary ammonium anticholinergic agents, in high doses, can cause postural hypotension and impotence. Paralysis may occur at very high doses.  Anticholinergics can cause loss of vision. Effects associated with their use include increased heart rate, decreased saliva production and other secretions and reduction in bowel movements. Adverse effects include dry mouth, difficulty swallowing and speaking, thirst, dilated pupils, loss of focus, sensitivity to light, skin flushing and dryness, a temporary slowing of heart rate followed by rapid heart rate with palpitations and irregularities in rhythm. There may be vomiting, pain in the chest and dizziness. Toxicity due to overdose may result in rapid breathing, high fever, restlessness, confusion, excitement, paranoia, psychosis, hallucinations, delirium, seizures and convulsions. A rash may occur on the face or upper trunk. Severe intoxication can depress the central nervous system, causing inco-ordination, drowsiness, stupor, unconsciousness, coma, stoppage of circulation and breathing, and death.  

EYE

  There is some evidence to suggest that this material can causeeye irritation and damage in some persons.  Anticholinergic eye drops can cause stinging, dryness, redness, itch, dilated pupils, and loss of focus with blurred vision. Pupil Reflexes may be lost or diminished for 3 days.  

SKIN

  Skin contact with the material may produce severely toxic effects; systemic effects may result following absorption and these may be fatal.  The material is not thought to be a skin irritant (as classified using animal models). Abrasive damage however, may result from prolonged exposures. Good hygiene practice requires that exposure be kept to a minimum and that suitable gloves be used in an occupational setting.  Entry into the blood-stream, through, for example, cuts, abrasions or lesions, may produce systemic injury with harmful effects. Examine the skin prior to the use of the material and ensure that any external damage is suitably protected.  

INHALED

  Inhalation of vapors, aerosols (mists, fumes) or dusts, generated by the material during the course of normal handling, may produce severely toxic effects; these may be fatal.  The material is not thought to produce respiratory irritation (as classified using animal models). Nevertheless inhalation of dusts, or fume, especially for prolonged periods, may produce respiratory discomfort and occasionally, distress.  Limited evidence exists that the substance may cause irreversible but non-lethal mutagenic effects following a single exposure.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  Long term exposure to high dust concentrations may cause changes in lung function i.e. pneumoconiosis; caused by particles less than 0.5 micron penetrating and remaining in the lung. Prime symptom is breathlessness; lung shadows show on X-ray.  Limited evidence suggests that repeated or long-term occupational exposure may produce cumulative health effects involving organs or biochemical systems.  Exposure to the material may result in a possible risk of irreversible effects. The material may produce mutagenic effects in man. This concern is raised, generally, on the basis ofappropriate studies with similar materials using mammalian somatic cells in vivo. Such findings are often supported by positive results from in vitro mutagenicity studies.  Prolonged exposure to anticholinergic agents may irritate the eyes, causing allergic lid reactions, conjunctivitis, swelling, excess blood flow to the eyes, and sensitivity to light. Increase in eye pressure may lead to closed angle glaucoma. There may be hypersensitivity shown by conjunctivitis, rash and eczema. Anticholinergics can also cause chronic constipation with blockage of the intestine by feces.  Hyoscine produces depression of the  cerebral cortex especially in the  motor areas and acts as a powerful hypnotic.