Scopolamine

What it is used for

Based on a review of this drug by the National Academy of Sciences-National Research Council and/or other information, FDA has classified the indications as follows: "Possibly" effective: For use as adjunctive therapy in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome (irritable colon, spastic colon, mucous colitis) and acute enterocolitis.

May also be useful as adjunctive therapy in the treatment of duodenal ulcer. Final classification of the less-than-effective indications requires further investigation. IT HAS NOT BEEN SHOWN CONCLUSIVELY WHETHER ANTICHOLINERGIC/ANTISPASMODIC DRUGS AID IN THE HEALING OF A DUODENAL ULCER, DECREASE THE RATE OF RECURRENCES OR PREVENT COMPLICATIONS.

Side effects, and when to stop

Scopolamine transdermal system may cause serious side effects, including: angle closure glaucoma. If you have open angle glaucoma and use scopolamine transdermal system, remove scopolamine transdermal system and call a doctor right away if you feel pain or discomfort, have blurred vision, or see halos or colored images around lights and reddening of your eyes.

worsening of seizures. Tell your doctor about any worsening of seizures while using scopolamine transdermal system. an unusual reaction called acute psychosis. Tell your doctor if you have any of these symptoms: confusion agitation rambling speech hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not there) paranoid behaviors and delusions (false belief in something) worsening of your preeclampsia during pregnancy.

Some pregnant women with severe preeclampsia have had seizures after getting scopolamine by injection in the muscle (intramuscular) or injection in the vein (intravenous). difficulty urinating. difficulties in food passing from the stomach to the small intestines, which may cause abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting. withdrawal symptoms after removing scopolamine transdermal system after using it for several days.

Some people may have certain symptoms such as difficulty with balance, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, sweating, confusion, muscle weakness, low heart rate or low blood pressure that could start 24 hours or more after removing scopolamine transdermal system. Call your doctor right away if your symptoms become severe.

temporary increase in the size of your pupil and blurry vision, especially if scopolamine transdermal system comes in contact with your eyes. skin burns at the site of scopolamine transdermal system. This can happen during a medical test called a Magnetic Resonance Imaging scan (MRI). Scopolamine transdermal system contains aluminum and should be removed from your skin before you have an MRI.

The most common side effects of using scopolamine transdermal system include: dry mouth blurred vision or eye problems feeling sleepy or drowsy disorientation (confusion) dizziness feeling agitated or irritable pharyngitis (sore throat) Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

These are not all the possible side effects of scopolamine transdermal system. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What to say before you start

Before you use scopolamine transdermal system, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions, including if you: have glaucoma (increased pressure in the eye). have a history of seizures or psychosis. have problems with your stomach or intestines. have trouble urinating. are scheduled to have a gastric secretion test.

have liver or kidney problems. are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if scopolamine transdermal system can harm your unborn baby. are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Scopolamine can pass into your breast milk and may harm your baby. Talk to your doctor about the best way to feed your baby if you use scopolamine transdermal system.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins and herbal supplements. Scopolamine transdermal system may affect the way other medicines work, and other medicines may affect how scopolamine transdermal system works. Medicines that you take by mouth may not be absorbed well while you use scopolamine transdermal system.

Especially tell your doctor if you take: a sedative, hypnotic, opioid or anxiolytic (medicines that make you sleepy) an antidepressant medicine an anticholinergic medicine, such as an allergy or cold medicine, a medicine to treat bladder or bowel spasms, certain asthma medicines, or other medicines for motion sickness Ask your doctor if you are not sure if your medicine is one that is listed above.

Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them and show it to your doctor or pharmacist when you get a new medicine. How should I use scopolamine transdermal system? See the detailed Instructions for Use for information about how to use scopolamine transdermal system at the end of this Medication Guide. It is important that you apply scopolamine transdermal system exactly as your doctor tells you to.

Your doctor may change your scopolamine transdermal system dose. Do not change your scopolamine transdermal system dose without talking to your doctor. Wear only one scopolamine transdermal system at any time. If you use too much scopolamine transdermal system, call your doctor or Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222, or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away.

What to avoid

You should not drink alcohol while using scopolamine transdermal system. It can increase your chances of having serious side effects. You should not drive, operate heavy machinery, or do other dangerous activities until you know how scopolamine transdermal system affects you. You should not use scopolamine transdermal system during a Magnetic Resonance Imaging scan (MRI).

Remove scopolamine transdermal system before undergoing an MRI. It can cause your skin to burn. You should be careful if you use scopolamine transdermal system while you participate in watersports because you may feel lost or confused (disoriented). Limit contact with water while swimming and bathing because scopolamine transdermal system may fall off.

If scopolamine transdermal system falls off, throw it away and apply a new one on the hairless area behind your other ear.