scopolamine

Generic Name: scopolamine (skoe PAH lah meen)

Brand Names: Scopace

What is scopolamine?

Scopolamine is an anticholinergic medicine. Scopolamine has many effects in the body including decreasing the secretion of fluids, slowing the stomach and intestines, and dilation of the pupils.

Scopolamine is used to relieve nausea, vomiting, and dizziness associated with motion sickness and recovery from anesthesia and surgery. Scopolamine may also be used in the treatment of parkinsonism, spastic muscle states, irritable bowel syndrome, diverticulitis, and other conditions.

Scopolamine may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about scopolamine?

Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Scopolamine may cause dizziness, drowsiness, or blurred vision. If you experience dizziness, drowsiness, or blurred vision, avoid these activities. Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while using scopolamine. In rare cases, unusual reactions to ordinary doses of scopolamine have occurred including confusion, agitation, rambling speech, hallucinations, paranoid behaviors, and delusions. In the case of such a reaction, stop using scopolamine and seek medical attention.

Who should not use scopolamine?

Do not use scopolamine without first talking to your doctor if you have

• kidney disease,


• liver disease,


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  an enlarged prostate,

  
  


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  difficulty urinating,

  
  


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  a stomach obstruction,

  
  


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  heart disease,

  
  


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  bladder problems, or

  
  


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  glaucoma.

  
  

You may not be able to use scopolamine, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

Scopolamine is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether scopolamine will harm an unborn baby. Do not use scopolamine without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant. It is not known whether scopolamine passes into breast milk. Do not use scopolamine without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Scopolamine is not recommended for use by children. Children are more sensitive to the side effects of scopolamine. Elderly individuals may be more likely to experience side effects from scopolamine.

How should I use scopolamine?

Use scopolamine exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

Take each dose with a full glass of water.

Store scopolamine at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Use the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and use only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not use a double dose of this medication.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention.

Symptoms of a scopolamine overdose include drowsiness, dizziness, agitation, fever excitability, seizures or convulsions, hallucinations, coma, and death.

What should I avoid while using scopolamine?

Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Scopolamine may cause dizziness, drowsiness, or blurred vision. If you experience dizziness, drowsiness, or blurred vision, avoid these activities. Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while using scopolamine.

Scopolamine side effects

Stop using scopolamine and seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately if you experience:

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  an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives);

  
  


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  pain and redness of the eyes with dilated pupils; or

  
  


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  difficulty urinating.

  
  

In rare cases, unusual reactions to ordinary doses of scopolamine have occurred including confusion, agitation, rambling speech, hallucinations, paranoid behaviors, and delusions. In the case of such a reaction, stop using scopolamine and seek medical attention.

Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to use scopolamine and talk to your doctor if you experience

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  drowsiness;

  
  


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  dizziness;

  
  


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  dry mouth;

  
  


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  restlessness;

  
  


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  blurred vision;

  
  


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  dilated pupils;

  
  


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  dry or itchy eyes;

  
  


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  flushing; or

  
  


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  fast heartbeats.

  
  

Nausea, vomiting, dizziness, headache, and poor coordination have been reported when treatment that has lasted more than a few days is discontinued. If you use scopolamine for more than a few days, be aware that these side effects may occur when you stop.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Scopolamine Dosing Information

Usual Adult Dose for Nausea/Vomiting:

General antiemetic use: 0.3 to 0.65 mg administered IV, intramuscularly or subcutaneously every 6 to 8 hours as needed.

Post-operative nausea and vomiting use: apply one scopolamine 1.5 mg transdermal disc behind the ear the evening before the scheduled surgery. The disc should remain in place for 24 hours after surgery before discarding.

If using scopolamine transdermal on an obstetrics patient, apply the disc one hour prior to scheduled Cesarean section to limit exposure to the infant.

Usual Adult Dose for Motion Sickness:

Apply one scopolamine 1.5 mg transdermal disc behind the ear at least 4 hours prior to exposure every 3 days as needed.

Usual Adult Dose for Parkinsonian Tremor:

0.4 to 0.8 mg orally every 8 hours as needed.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Nausea/Vomiting:

1 to 12 years: 6 mcg/kg/dose (maximum dose: 0.3 mg/dose) administered IV, IM or subcutaneous every 6 to 8 hours as needed.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Motion Sickness:

Greater than 12 years: apply one scopolamine 1.5 mg transdermal disc behind the ear at least 4 hours prior to exposure every 3 days as needed.

What other drugs will affect scopolamine?

Scopolamine may increase the effects of other drugs that cause drowsiness, including antidepressants, alcohol, antihistamines (including meclizine), sedatives (used to treat insomnia), pain relievers, anxiety medicines, and muscle relaxants. Tell your doctor about all medicines that you are using, and do not use any other prescription or over-the-counter medicines without first talking to your doctor.

Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with scopolamine. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before using any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.

More scopolamine resources

• Scopolamine Dosage
• Scopolamine Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Scopolamine Drug Interactions
• Scopolamine Support Group
• 32 Reviews for Scopolamine - Add your own review/rating

• scopolamine Transdermal Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information


• Scopolamine MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)


• Scopolamine Monograph (AHFS DI)


• Scopace Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information

Compare scopolamine with other medications

• Motion Sickness
• Nausea/Vomiting
• Parkinsonian Tremor

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist has more information about scopolamine written for health professionals that you may read.