scopolamine base

This skin patch is used to prevent nausea and vomiting caused by motion sickness or recovery from anesthesia and surgery. This medication works by correcting the imbalance of hormones (acetylcholine and norepinephrine) that can occur in motion sickness. It also blocks certain signals to the brain that can cause nausea and vomiting.

If you forget to replace a patch at the scheduled time, replace it as soon as you remember. Do not use more than one patch at a time.

Peel off the clear backing from the patch and apply it to a clean, dry, hairless area of the skin behind the ear. Press firmly for at least 30 seconds to make sure the patch sticks well, especially around the edges. The patch will slowly release the medication into your body over 3 days. Do not use the patch if it appears broken, cut, or damaged. If you are using the patch to prevent nausea and vomiting from motion sickness, apply the patch as directed by your doctor, usually at least 4 hours before the activity. Replace the patch every 3 days until it is no longer needed. If you are using the patch to prevent nausea and vomiting after surgery, apply the patch as directed by your doctor, usually the evening before surgery. If the surgery is for a cesarean section, then the patch is usually applied 1 hour before the procedure to reduce the baby's exposure to the drug. Remove and throw away the patch 24 hours after surgery or as directed by your doctor. If the patch comes off or needs to be replaced, throw away the old patch and place a new one behind the other ear, on a clean, dry, hairless area. Use only one patch at a time. This medication can cause temporary blurred vision and widened pupils if it comes in contact with the eyes. Therefore, after handling the patch, always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. Also wash the area behind the ear where the patch was removed. Inform your doctor if your condition persists or worsens.

Your healthcare professionals (e.g., doctor or pharmacist) may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially: antihistamines (e.g., diphenhydramine, meclizine), antispasmodics (e.g., atropine, dicyclomine), certain antiarrhythmic drugs (e.g., quinidine, procainamide), certain drugs for Parkinson's disease (e.g., levodopa, benztropine, trihexyphenidyl), MAO inhibitors (e.g., furazolidone, isocarboxazid, linezolid, moclobemide, phenelzine, procarbazine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine), phenothiazines (e.g., promethazine, chlorpromazine), potassium tablets/capsules, pramlintide, tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline). Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you also take drugs that cause drowsiness such as: anti-seizure drugs (e.g., carbamazepine), medicine for sleep or anxiety (e.g., alprazolam, diazepam, zolpidem), muscle relaxants, narcotic pain relievers (e.g., codeine), psychiatric medicines (e.g., haloperidol, risperidone, trazodone). Check the labels on all your medicines (e.g., cough-and-cold products) because they may contain drowsiness-causing ingredients. Ask your pharmacist about the safe use of those products. This medication may interfere with a certain laboratory test (gastric secretion test), possibly causing false test results. Make sure laboratory personnel and all your doctors know you use this drug. This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.

Do not share this medication with others.

This product may be harmful if swallowed. If overdose or swallowing is suspected, remove the patch if possible. Contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly. Symptoms of overdose may include extreme tiredness/drowsiness, mental/mood changes, fast/irregular heartbeat, seizures, hot/dry skin.

Before using scopolamine, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other belladonna alkaloids (e.g., atropine); or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients (such as adhesives), which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details. This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: a certain type of glaucoma (narrow-angle). Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: a certain type of glaucoma (wide-angle), seizures, mental/mood disorders (e.g., psychosis, anxiety), uncontrolled pain, breathing problems (e.g., asthma, emphysema), trouble urinating (e.g., due to enlarged prostate), bowel disease (e.g., paralytic ileus, pyloric obstruction, diarrhea), stomach/esophagus problems (e.g., ulcers, GERD), heart/blood vessel disease (e.g., fast heartbeat, congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease), overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), high blood pressure, myasthenia gravis, kidney disease, liver disease. This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy or cause blurred vision. Do not drive, use machinery, participate in underwater activities, or do any activity that requires alertness or clear vision until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. Limit alcoholic beverages. This medication can decrease sweating. To prevent heatstroke, avoid becoming overheated in hot weather, in saunas, and during exercise/other strenuous activities. Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are using this medication. If you are going to have an MRI test, notify testing personnel that you are using this patch. Serious burns may occur during MRI tests because of the aluminum contained in these patches. It should be removed just before the MRI test or consult your doctor for specific instructions. The elderly may be more sensitive to the effects of this drug, especially dizziness/drowsiness. Children are very sensitive to the effects of this medication. This medication is not recommended for use in children. During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. This medication passes into breast milk. While there have been no reports of harm to nursing infants, consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Store at room temperature between 68-77 degrees F (20-25 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets. Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.

Blurred vision and widened pupils may occur as your body adjusts to the medication. Dry mouth, drowsiness, dizziness, decreased sweating, constipation, and mild itching/redness on application site may also occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly. To relieve dry mouth, suck on (sugarless) hard candy or ice chips, chew (sugarless) gum, drink water, or use a saliva substitute. Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects. Remove the patch and tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: mental/mood changes, difficulty urinating, eye problems (e.g., pain/pressure/reddening of the eyes along with widened pupils), fast/irregular heartbeat, severe drowsiness, voice changes (e.g., hoarseness). After stopping this medication, you may experience dizziness, loss of balance, nausea/vomiting, headache, muscle weakness, or slow heartbeat. If these effects occur, they usually appear 24 hours or more after you stop this medication. This is a result of your body adjusting to being off the medication. Report any such reactions to your doctor immediately. A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction may include: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing. This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.