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Levsin vs. Viberzi

Are Levsin and Viberzi the Same Thing?

Levsin (hyoscyamine) and Viberzi (eluxadoline) are used to treat irritable bowel syndrome.

Levsin is also used to treat different stomach and intestinal disorders, including peptic ulcer. Levsin is also used to control muscle spasms in the bladder, kidneys, or digestive tract, and to reduce stomach acid. Levsin is sometimes used to reduce tremors and rigid muscles in people with symptoms of Parkinson's disease, and is also used as a drying agent to control excessive salivation, runny nose, or excessive sweating.

Viberzi is specifically used to treat irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D).

Levsin and Viberzi belong to different drug classes. Levsin is one of the principal anticholinergic/antispasmodic components of belladonna alkaloids and Viberzi is a mu-opioid receptor agonist.

Side effects of Levsin and Viberzi that are similar include dizziness, constipation, nausea, vomiting, or bloating.

Side effects of Levsin that are different from Viberzi include drowsiness, nervousness, blurred vision, dry mouth, vision problems, headache, trouble sleeping (insomnia), heartburn, changes in taste, problems with urination, impotence, loss of interest in sex, trouble having an orgasm, flushing, dry skin, and decreased sweating.

Side effects of Viberzi that are different from Levsin include abdominal pain, upper respiratory tract infection, runny or stuffy nose, bronchitis, gas, rash, and fatigue.

Both Levsin and Viberzi may interact with alcohol or antidepressants.

Levsin may also interact with amantadine, haloperidol, MAO inhibitors, or phenothiazines.

Viberzi may also interact with cyclosporine, gemfibrozil, antiretrovirals, rifampin, eltrombopag, ciprofloxacin, gemfibrozil, fluconazole, clarithromycin, alosetron, anticholinergics, opioids, rosuvastatin, alfentanil, cyclosporine, dihydroergotamine, ergotamine, fentanyl, pimozide, quinidine, sirolimus, or tacrolimus.

What Are Possible Side Effects of Levsin?

Common side effects of Levsin include:

  • dizziness,
  • drowsiness,
  • nervousness,
  • blurred vision,
  • dry mouth,
  • vision problems,
  • headache,
  • trouble sleeping (insomnia),
  • constipation,
  • nausea,
  • vomiting,
  • bloating,
  • heartburn,
  • changes in taste,
  • problems with urination,
  • impotence,
  • loss of interest in sex,
  • trouble having an orgasm,
  • flushing,
  • dry skin, and
  • decreased sweating.

Tell your doctor if you experience unlikely but serious side effects of Levsin including:

  • mental/mood changes (e.g., confusion, unusual excitement),
  • fast/irregular heartbeat,
  • loss of coordination, or
  • slurred speech.

What Are Possible Side Effects of Viberzi?

Common side effects of Viberzi include:

  • constipation,
  • nausea,
  • abdominal pain,
  • upper respiratory tract infection,
  • vomiting,
  • runny or stuffy nose,
  • bloating,
  • bronchitis,
  • dizziness,
  • gas,
  • rash, and
  • fatigue.

What Is Levsin?

Levsin (hyoscyamine) is one of the principal anticholinergic/antispasmodic components of belladonna alkaloids used to treat different stomach and intestinal disorders, including peptic ulcer and irritable bowel syndrome. Levsin is also used to control muscle spasms in the bladder, kidneys, or digestive tract, and to reduce stomach acid. Levsin is sometimes used to reduce tremors and rigid muscles in people with symptoms of Parkinson's disease, and is also used as a drying agent to control excessive salivation, runny nose, or excessive sweating. Levsin is available in generic form.

What Is Viberzi?

Viberzi (eluxadoline) is a mu-opioid receptor agonist used in adults to treat irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D).

 

What Drugs Interact With Levsin?

Levsin may interact with amantadine, haloperidol, MAO inhibitors, phenothiazines, or antidepressants. Tell your doctor all medications you use. Levsin should be used only when prescribed during pregnancy. This drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

What Drugs Interact With Viberzi?

Viberzi may interact with other irritable bowel medications, narcotic pain medicines, or heart rhythm medications.

Viberzi may also interact with cyclosporine, gemfibrozil, antiretrovirals, rifampin, eltrombopag, ciprofloxacin, fluconazole, clarithromycin, paroxetine, bupropion, anticholinergics, opioids, rosuvastatin, dihydroergotamine, ergotamine, pimozide, sirolimus, or tacrolimus.

 

How Should Levsin Be Taken?

Dosage of Levsin for adults and children 12 years of age and older: 1 to 2 tablets every four hours or as needed. Do not exceed 12 tablets in 24 hours. Pediatric patients 2 to under 12 years of age: ½ to 1 tablet every four hours or as needed. Do not exceed 6 tablets in 24 hours.

How Should Viberzi Be Taken?

The recommended dosage of Viberzi in adults is 100 mg twice daily, taken with food.