Uses
What is scopolamine used for?
Scopolamine is commonly used to prevent nausea and vomiting from motion sickness or after surgery.
Scopolamine may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.
How does scopolamine work (mechanism of action)?
Scopolamine may work by blocking certain signals in the brain that cause nausea and vomiting. It also reduces the amount of fluids your stomach produces and slows down natural movements in the gut.
How is scopolamine supplied (dosage forms)?
Brands and other names
- Transderm Scop
Dosage forms and strengths
- 1 mg/3 days transdermal system (patch)
How should I store scopolamine?
Scopolamine should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F to 77 F (20 C to 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F to 86 F (15 C to 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place.
Side Effects
What are the most common side effects of scopolamine?
The most common side effects of scopolamine are listed below. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.
- Dry mouth
- Dizziness or drowsiness
- Blurred vision or dilated pupils
- Confusion, irritability, or agitation
- Sore throat
There may be other side effects of scopolamine that are not listed here. Contact your healthcare provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.
What are the serious side effects of scopolamine?
While less common, the most serious side effects of scopolamine are described below, along with what to do if they happen.
Severe Allergic Reactions. Scopolamine may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Remove the scopolamine patch and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.
- Breathing problems or wheezing
- Racing heart
- Fever or general ill feeling
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
- Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
- Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
- Stomach cramps
- Joint pain
Hallucinations or Psychotic-like Behaviors. Scopolamine may cause hallucinations or psychotic-like behaviors. Remove the scopolamine patch and tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms, or if you have been told by others you have these symptoms.
- Hearing, seeing, smelling, tasting, or otherwise perceiving things that others do not
- Delusional thoughts, such as false beliefs that you are being controlled
- Disorganized thoughts, such as jumping between topics or having a hard time focusing
- Sudden decline in self-care, such as personal hygiene or academic/work performance
- Aggressive behavior
Seizures. Some people who have taken scopolamine have reported having seizures. There are many different types of seizures and some of them are not easy to recognize. Remove the scopolamine patch and call your healthcare provider if you have any of the following signs that a seizure is happening or could happen.
- Muscle twitching, jerking, spasms, tremors, or other uncontrolled movements
- Stiffening of your arms and legs
- Feeling anxious, nervous, confused, or a sense of dread
- Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
- Falling or losing consciousness
Inability to Empty Bladder (Urinary Retention). Scopolamine might make it harder to empty your bladder, especially if you already have a blockage. Remove the scopolamine patch and call your healthcare provider right away if you are having trouble peeing or cannot empty your bladder.
Blockage of the Gut. Some people using scopolamine may develop a blockage of the gut (bowel obstruction). Remove the scopolamine patch and call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a blockage in your intestines.
- Nausea or vomiting
- Stomach pain or bloating
- Loss of appetite
- Unable to pass gas
Warnings & Precautions
Who should not use scopolamine?
Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use scopolamine.
- Scopolamine
- Transderm Scop
- Any other medicine known as a belladonna alkaloid
- Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed
Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific scopolamine products they stock.
Glaucoma. Glaucoma is a condition that may lead to trouble seeing or blindness because of damage to the optic nerve in your eye. Scopolamine can make open-angle glaucoma worse and should not be used if you have glaucoma.
Severe Preeclampsia. Preeclampsia happens when you are pregnant and have high blood pressure, too much protein in your pee, and also swelling in your legs, feet, and hands. It usually happens late in pregnancy, and can lead to seizures, preterm birth, and other serious problems. Scopolamine can make this condition worse.
What should I know about scopolamine before using it?
Do not use scopolamine unless it has been prescribed to you by a healthcare provider. Use it as prescribed.
Do not share scopolamine with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.
Keep scopolamine out of the reach of children.
Keep foil pouches of scopolamine in an upright position. Do not bend or roll the pouches.
Apply a scopolamine patch to the hairless area behind the ear. Make sure the skin is dry before applying the patch and avoid areas that have cuts, pain, or tenderness. Only wear one scopolamine patch at a time.
After applying a scopolamine patch, wash your hands with soap and water.
Do not touch or apply pressure to the scopolamine patch while it is being worn. This can cause the medicine to ooze out at the edge.
Limit contact with water, such as swimming, when wearing a scopolamine patch since it can come off. If the scopolamine patch displaces or comes off, throw away the patch and apply a new patch behind the other ear.
Do not cut a scopolamine patch.
Do not wear a scopolamine patch when having an MRI. The patch contains aluminum and can burn the skin if worn during an MRI.
After removing a scopolamine patch, fold it in half with sticky sides together then throw it away in a trash can that is not accessible to children or pets. Wash your hands and the application site behind your ear with soap and water.
If you wear a scopolamine patch for several days, you might have withdrawal symptoms within 24 hours or more after you remove it. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms.
- Feeling off balance
- Confusion
- Muscle weakness
- Slow heartbeat
- Low blood pressure
Scopolamine can affect your alertness or coordination. Do not drive or do other activities that require alertness or coordination, including underwater sports, until you know how scopolamine affects you.
People who are 65 or older can be at greater risk for some side effects from scopolamine. Talk to your healthcare provider about your risks if you are in this age group.
What should I tell my healthcare provider before using scopolamine?
Tell your healthcare provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if scopolamine is right for you.
In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.
Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following.
- Stomach or bowel problems
- Prostate problems
- Problems peeing
- Kidney or liver problems
- Seizures or psychosis
- Have a gastric secretion test scheduled
Other Medicines and Supplements. Scopolamine may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before using scopolamine, tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.
Pregnancy. It is not known if or how scopolamine could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you are or plan to become pregnant.
Breastfeeding. It is not known if scopolamine passes into breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should stop breastfeeding or stop scopolamine.
Interactions
Does scopolamine interact with foods or drinks?
There are no known interactions between scopolamine and foods or drinks.
It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect scopolamine. The risk of dizziness or blurred vision may be increased if you drink alcohol while taking scopolamine.
Does scopolamine interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?
Always tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.
In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before using scopolamine.
- An antihistamine, such as chlorpheniramine or diphenhydramine (Benadryl), which is a medicine commonly used to treat allergy symptoms
- An antidepressant, a medicine commonly used for depression and sometimes other conditions
- A muscle relaxant, such as carisoprodol (Soma), cyclobenzaprine, or tizanidine (Zanaflex)
- An opioid, such as oxycodone, morphine, codeine, or fentanyl, which is a medicine used for certain types of pain
- An anticholinergic medicine, which includes antihistamines and medicines commonly used for overactive bladder, Parkinson’s disease, or stomach problems
- Meclizine (Antivert), which is a medicine commonly used to treat motion sickness or vertigo
- Any other medicine that causes dizziness and sleepiness, such as prescription pain medicines, sleep medicines, and medicines for anxiety
Some other medicines may affect the way scopolamine works, and vice versa. Tell your healthcare provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.
This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with scopolamine. Always check with your healthcare provider.
Overdose/Missed Dose
What should I do if I accidentally use too much scopolamine?
If you or someone else has used too much scopolamine, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.
What should I do if I miss a dose of scopolamine?
Scopolamine is typically used only before travel or surgery. Use it as your healthcare provider recommends. Do not take double or extra doses.
Are you currently using Scopolamine (Transderm Scop)?
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