scopolamine Health Article

Generic name(s):

scopolamine

Brand name(s):

Scopace

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.

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.

Who should not use scopolamine?

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

• kidney disease,
• liver disease,

• an enlarged prostate,

• difficulty urinating,

• a stomach obstruction,

• heart disease,

• bladder problems, or

• 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.