Definition

1. Noun:
   • A tropane alkaloid drug: Hyoscine is a natural alkaloid obtained from plants of the nightshade family, also known as scopolamine. It acts as an anticholinergic agent, blocking certain nerve signals in the body.
   • A medication for specific conditions: It is used medically as a sedative, to prevent nausea and motion sickness, and to dilate the pupils during eye examinations or procedures.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The doctor administered hyoscine to prevent postoperative nausea.
  • Transdermal hyoscine patches are effective for long journeys.
  • Hyoscine is sometimes used in ophthalmic procedures to achieve mydriasis.

Advanced Usage

• "Hyoscine hydrobromide": This is the common pharmaceutical salt form of the alkaloid, used in injections and tablets.
  • The pre-anesthetic medication included hyoscine hydrobromide.

Variants and Related Words

• Scopolamine (n): This is the more common name for hyoscine in many medical and scientific contexts. The terms are often used interchangeably.
  • Scopolamine and hyoscine refer to the same chemical compound.

Synonyms

• Anticholinergic agent: A class of drugs that block the neurotransmitter acetylcholine; hyoscine is a member of this class.
• Antiemetic: A substance that prevents vomiting; this describes one of hyoscine's primary uses.

Notes on Different Meanings

• While "hyoscine" refers specifically to the pure alkaloid/drug, it does not have common idiomatic or phrasal verb uses due to its technical, medical nature. Its usage is almost exclusively within scientific and healthcare contexts.

Noun

1. an alkaloid with anticholinergic effects that is used as a sedative and to treat nausea and to dilate the pupils in ophthalmic procedures
   • transdermal scopolamine is used to treat motion sickness
   • someone sedated with scopolamine has difficulty lying