This medication is used to prevent nausea and vomiting caused by motion sickness. It may also be used to decrease saliva and for stomach/intestinal spasms (e.g., irritable bowel syndrome). This medication works by blocking the actions of a certain natural substance (acetylcholine) that your body makes.

Take this medication by mouth, usually 3 times daily as needed or as directed by your doctor. If you are taking this medication for motion sickness, take it at least 1 hour before the activity.

Take this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. Remember to take it at the same times each day. Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to therapy.

Inform your doctor if your condition persists or worsens.

Blurred vision and widened pupils may occur as your body adjusts to the medication. Dry mouth, drowsiness, dizziness, decreased sweating, and constipation 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.

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).

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.

Before taking 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, 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), enlarged prostate (prostatic hypertrophy), a certain type of stomach blockage (pyloric obstruction).

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), bowel disease (e.g., paralytic ileus, 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), trouble urinating, 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.

The elderly may be more sensitive to the effects of this drug, especially dizziness/drowsiness.

This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. 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.

Your healthcare professionals (e.g., doctor or pharmacist) may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for it. 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 of: certain antiarrhythmic drugs (e.g., quinidine, procainamide), antihistamines (e.g., diphenhydramine, meclizine), antispasmodics (e.g., atropine, dicyclomine), certain drugs for Parkinson's disease (e.g., levodopa, benztropine, trihexyphenidyl), MAO inhibitors (isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue, 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.

If overdose is suspected, 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.

Do not share this medication with others.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

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 September 2011. Copyright(c) 2011 First Databank, Inc.