Medicines

Hyoscine hydrobromide patches to reduce saliva production

This leaflet is for parents and carers about how to use this medicine in children. Our information may differ from that provided by the manufacturers, because their information usually relates to adults. Read this leaflet carefully. Keep it somewhere safe so that you can read it again.

Most children use Hyoscine patches without any problems. However, young children may have an increased risk of rare but serious side-effects.

These include hyperthermia (an abnormally high body temperature), difficulty breathing, being unable to urinate (do a wee), seeing or hearing things that are not there, and severe confusion.

If your child has any of these side-effects, remove the patch and take your child to hospital.

Contents of this leaflet

Name of medicine

Hyoscine hydrobromide

Brand names: Scopoderm

Note that this leaflet is for hyoscine hydrobromide which is a different medicine from hyoscine butylbromide (Buscopan).

Why is it important for my child to take Hyoscine patches?

Children with some conditions that affect the nerves or muscles in the face have difficulty swallowing the saliva produced in their mouth. This can lead to dribbling and drooling. Hyoscine hydrobromide patches help to reduce the amount of saliva that is produced.

When should I give Hyoscine patches

  • The patches work for 72 hours (3 days). You therefore need to replace the patch every 3 days.
  • You may want to set a reminder in your phone or diary to do this.

How much should I give?

  • The dose will be shown on the medicine label.
  • This might be a whole patch or a half or quarter of a patch.

It is important that you follow your doctor’s instructions about how much to give.

How should I give Hyoscine patches?

Applying the patches

  • If you have been told to cut the patch, do this just before putting it in place.
  • Make sure you cut along the thickest part of the patch.
  • Put any remaining pieces in the household waste.
  • Stick the patch (or part of a patch) on the skin behind one ear where there is no hair.
  • Remove the current patch before you put on a new patch.
  • Put the new patch behind the other ear.

Do not use two patches at the same time.

When should the medicine start working?

When you first start using patches, it may take up to 24 hours before saliva production is reduced.

What if my child is sick (vomits)?

You do not need to worry if your child is sick, as the medicine will still work.

What if I forget to give it?

If you forget to replace a patch, do it as soon as you remember. Replace this patch after 72 hours.

What if I give too much?

  • If you find that your child has two patches in place, remove them both.
  • Put a new patch in place behind one ear.

Are there any possible side effects?

We use medicines to make our children better, but sometimes they have other effects that we don’t want (side effects).

Side effects you must do something about

If your child has an abnormally high body temperature (hyperthermia), difficulty breathing, becomes unable to urinate (do a wee), sees or hears things that are not there, or seems very confused, remove any hyoscine patch and take your child to hospital. These side effects are rare but serious and have only been associated with long-term use of hyoscine patches.

The skin where the patch is applied may get red, sore or itchy. Remove the patch and contact your doctor for advice as they may be able to provide a different treatment.

Other side-effects you need to know about

    • Your child may feel dizzy.
    • Your child may get constipation (have difficulty doing a poo).
    • Your child may feel sleepy. They need to take extra care when taking part in physical activities.
    • Your child may get a dry mouth. Eating citrus fruits (e.g. oranges) and taking sips of water may help.

There may sometimes be other side effects that are not listed above. If you notice anything unusual and are concerned, contact your doctor. You can report any suspected side effects to a UK safety scheme at mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard

Can other medicines be given at the same time as Hyoscine patches?

You can give your child medicines that contain paracetamol or ibuprofen, unless your doctor has told you not to.

Do not give your child tablets for travel sickness that contain hyoscine hydrobromide.

Hyoscine hydrobromide may make your child sleepy, so check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving your child any other medicines that also have this effect, such as some medicines for hay fever.

Is there anything else I need to know about this medicine?

  • Hyoscine hydrobromide patches may work less well when they have been used for some time. In this case, your doctor may recommend that you replace your child’s patch every 2 days.
  • Hyoscine hydrobromide reduces the amount of saliva produced, as a result of this your child’s teeth may be at risk of harm. Brush your child’s teeth as usual twice a day (morning and evening); there is no need to brush more often this. Make sure your child’s teeth are checked regularly by a dentist.
  • Hyoscine hydrobromide patches are also used to help with nausea and vomiting after surgery or during chemotherapy for cancer.
  • Hyoscine hydrobromide tablets are used to treat travel sickness.

General advice about medicines

  • If you are not sure a medicine is working, contact your doctor but continue to give the medicine as usual in the meantime. Do not give extra doses, as you may do harm.
  • Try to give medicines at about the same times each day, to help you remember.
  • Only give this medicine to your child. Never give it to anyone else, even if their condition appears to be the same, as this could do harm.
  • Make sure that you always have enough medicine. Order a new prescription at least 2 weeks before you will run out.
  • Make sure that the medicines you have at home have not reached the ‘best before’ or ‘use by’ date on the packaging. Give old medicines to your pharmacist to dispose of.

Where should I keep this medicine?

  • Keep the medicine in a cupboard, away from heat and direct sunlight. It does not need to be kept in the fridge.
  • Make sure that children cannot see or reach the medicine.
  • Keep the medicine in the container and packaging it came in.

Who to contact for more information?

Your doctor, pharmacist or nurse will be able to give you more information about Hyoscine patches and about other medicines used to reduce saliva production.
You can also get useful information from:

England: NHS 111

Tel 111

www.nhs.uk

Scotland: NHS 24

Northern Ireland: NI Direct

Wales: NHS 111 Wales

Copyright disclaimer

Version [1]. © NPPG, RCPCH and WellChild, all rights reserved. Review by December 2026.

The primary source for the information in this leaflet is the British National Formulary for Children. For details on any other sources used for this leaflet, please contact us through our website, www.medicinesforchildren.org.uk.

We take great care to make sure that the information in this leaflet is correct and up-to-date. However, medicines can be used in different ways for different patients. It is important that you ask the advice of your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure about something. This leaflet is about the use of these medicines in the UK, and may not apply to other countries. The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH), the Neonatal and Paediatric Pharmacists Group (NPPG), WellChild and the contributors and editors cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of information, omissions of information, or any actions that may be taken as a consequence of reading this leaflet.