This medication is used to decrease saliva and phlegm and to control stomach/intestinal spasms. This medication works by blocking the actions of a certain natural substance (acetylcholine) that your body makes.

OTHER USES: This section contains uses of this drug that are not listed in the approved professional labeling for the drug but that may be prescribed by your health care professional. Use this drug for a condition that is listed in this section only if it has been so prescribed by your health care professional.

This drug may also be used to treat irritable bowel syndrome.

Take this medication by mouth, usually every 4 to 6 hours as needed or as directed by your doctor.

Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to therapy. In children, the dosage is also based on weight.

Inform your doctor if your condition does not improve or worsens.

Blurred vision, widened pupils, headache, constipation, dry mouth/nose/throat, decreased sweating, dizziness, and drowsiness may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

If you need 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.

Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: mental/mood changes (e.g., hallucinations, confusion), hot/dry skin, weakness, vision changes, eye pain/redness, fast/irregular heartbeat, difficulty urinating, difficulty swallowing, voice changes (e.g., hoarseness).

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: 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.

Before taking atropine, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to belladonna alkaloids (e.g., scopolamine); or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, 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: glaucoma, a certain eye disorder (synechiae), asthma.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: heart/blood vessel disease (e.g., irregular heartbeat, congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease), difficulty urinating (e.g., due to enlarged prostate), Down's syndrome, spastic paralysis or brain damage (in children), myasthenia gravis, overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), liver disease, kidney disease, lung disease, high blood pressure, bowel disease (e.g., paralytic ileus, diarrhea), stomach/esophagus problems (e.g., ulcers, acid reflux disease).

This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy or cause blurred vision. Do not drive, use machinery, 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.

Contact lens wearers may need to use appropriate lubricating solutions if this medication causes dry eyes.

Caution is advised when using this drug in the elderly because they may be more sensitive to the effects of the drug.

Caution is advised when using this drug in children because they may be more sensitive to the effects of the drug.

During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.

It is not known whether this drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Your 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 your doctor or pharmacist first.

This drug should not be used with the following medications because very serious interactions may occur: ambenonium, arbutamine, pramlintide.

If you are currently using any of these medications listed above, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting atropine.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: antihistamines (e.g., diphenhydramine), antispasmodics (e.g., dicyclomine), certain antiarrhythmic drugs (e.g., quinidine, procainamide), certain drugs for Parkinson's disease (e.g., levodopa, benztropine, trihexyphenidyl), ketoconazole, MAO inhibitors (isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue, moclobemide, phenelzine, procarbazine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine), phenothiazines (e.g., chlorpromazine, promethazine), potassium tablets/capsules, tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline).

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.

If overdose is suspected, contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center. Symptoms of overdose may include: hot/dry skin, widened pupils, fast heartbeat, decreased urination, mental/mood changes (e.g., anxiety), seizures, loss of consciousness.

Do not share this medication with others.

Not applicable.

Store at room temperature between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 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.

Information last revised March 2013. Copyright(c) 2013 First Databank, Inc.