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 should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking 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 take 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 of scopolamine?
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.
Where can I get more information about scopolamine?
Your pharmacist has information about scopolamine written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of scopolamine?
Stop using scopolamine and seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor
immediately if you experience:
an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat;
swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
pain and redness of the eyes with dilated pupils; or
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
drowsiness;
dizziness;
dry mouth;
restlessness;
blurred vision;
dilated pupils;
dry or itchy eyes;
flushing; or
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.
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 should I avoid while taking 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.
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.
What happens if I have an overdose of scopolamine?
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share
your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
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up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum
information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not
warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does
not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist
licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not
a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or
drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any
given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information
Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug
interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse
or pharmacist.
Content provided by Multum - Last Updated 11/10/2009