Scopolamine
About Scopolamine
Scopolamine is a prescription topical patch used to prevent nausea and vomiting caused by motion sickness. It is also prescribed to prevent nausea and vomiting that can occur after surgery when waking up from anaesthesia. This medication belongs to a group of drugs that block certain nerve impulses in the body.
For motion sickness, you apply a single patch behind the ear at least 4 hours before travel, and it can be kept in place for up to 3 days. To get the best results, it is important to apply the patch consistently before your journey begins. Making simple adjustments, such as getting fresh air and keeping your eyes fixed on the horizon, can also help manage your symptoms.
While using you may experience mild side effects like dry mouth, drowsiness, or slightly blurry vision. However, you should contact your doctor immediately if you experience more serious symptoms, such as severe eye pain, confusion, or difficulty passing urine.
Do not use this medication if you have narrow-angle glaucoma or are allergic to any of its components. Before starting, tell your doctor if you have a history of liver damage, kidney issues, heart problems, or any blockages in your stomach or urinary tract.
Using this medication with alcohol, sleeping pills, or allergy medicines can cause severe drowsiness because they all slow down your nervous system. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or an older adult, consult your healthcare provider to discuss whether this medication is safe for you, as seniors may be more prone to confusion or dizziness.
Uses of Scopolamine
Medicinal Benefits
When taken consistently as directed, this topical patch may provide the following health benefits:
- Helps prevent motion sickness: This medicine helps prevent symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and dizziness caused by motion sickness, making travel more comfortable.
- Provides continuous protection: As a transdermal patch, it delivers the medicine steadily through the skin over several days, providing long-lasting relief without the need for frequent dosing.
- Easy to use: The patch is a convenient option for people who have difficulty swallowing tablets or are already feeling nauseous.
Directions for Use
- Follow your doctor’s instructions on the dosage and timing of this medication, to improve effectiveness.
- Wash the area behind the ear and wipe it clean.
- Apply the patch by placing the adhesive side on the skin.
- Wash your hands after applying the patch.
Storage
Side Effects of Scopolamine
Common Side Effects (Usually mild):
- Dry mouth
- Drowsiness or sleepiness
- Blurry vision or widened pupils (especially if you touch your eyes after handling the patch)
- Dry eyes or mild skin redness at the application site
Serious Side Effects (Consult your doctor right away):
- Severe eye pain, redness, or seeing halos around lights
- Confusion, agitation, or seeing and hearing things that are not there
- Extreme dizziness or a rapid, pounding heartbeat
- Difficulty passing urine or a complete inability to empty your bladder
- Rash, itching, or swelling of the face, tongue, and throat (signs of a severe allergic reaction)
Drug Warnings
- Do not cut the patch: Use the patch whole, as cutting it may affect how the medicine is released.
- Avoid touching your eyes: Wash your hands after handling the patch, as the medicine can cause blurred vision or widened pupils if it gets into your eyes.
- Avoid alcohol: Drinking alcohol while using this medicine may increase drowsiness and dizziness.
- Remove the patch before an MRI: Tell your healthcare provider that you are wearing a patch before having an MRI scan, as some patches may contain metal.
- Be careful with activities requiring alertness: This medicine may cause drowsiness or blurred vision. Avoid driving or operating machinery until you know how it affects you.
- Apply only one patch at a time: Always remove the old patch before applying a new one to help prevent overdose.
Drug Interactions
- Antihistamines and sleeping aids: May increase the risk of severe drowsiness and dizziness when combined with this medication.
- Anticholinergic drugs: Taking other medications with anticholinergic effects (such as certain bladder control medicines or older antidepressants) can increase your risk of severe dry mouth, constipation, and blurry vision.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionAvoid alcohol consumption as it may cause side effects.
Pregnancy
cautionPlease consult the doctor if you are pregnant or planning for pregnancy. Talk to your doctor immediately if you become pregnant during treatment with Scopolamine.
Breast Feeding
cautionIt is not known whether scopolamine passes into breast milk. Please consult the doctor if you are breastfeeding.
Driving
cautionScopolamine may cause blurred vision or impair your reactions. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are alert.
Liver
consult your doctorPlease consult the doctor if you have a liver impairment or any concerns regarding this.
Kidney
consult your doctorPlease consult the doctor if you have kidney impairment or any concerns regarding this.
Children
consult your doctorLimited information is available. Please consult the doctor if you have any concerns regarding the usage of Scopolamine in children.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Stay hydrated: Drink small, frequent sips of water or clear fluids during your trip to counteract dry mouth and prevent dehydration.
- Choose light meals: Avoid eating heavy, greasy, or highly acidic foods before and during travel. Stick to dry, bland options like crackers, toast, or plain rice.
- Position yourself wisely: Sit in areas with the least amount of motion, such as the front passenger seat of a car, over the wing of an aircraft, or in the middle section of a boat.
- Keep eyes on the horizon: Look at a stable point in the distance rather than trying to read a book or look at a phone or tablet screen, which can worsen motion sickness.
- Ensure cool airflow: Direct a vent of cool air toward your face or open a window slightly to keep your breathing comfortable during travel.
Special Advise
- Avoid swimming or bathing after applying the patch, as it may cause the patch to fall off.
- If the patch falls off, discard it and apply a new one on the hairless area behind the other ear.
- Let the doctor know that you are using Scopolamine if you are due to undergo any surgery.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Nausea/Vomiting: Nausea is an uneasy feeling in which the person feels an urge to vomit, whereas vomiting is an uncontrollable reflex that expels the contents of the stomach through the mouth. Nausea and vomiting may occur separately or together. The common causes include motion sickness, emotional stress, indigestion, food poisoning, high fever, overeating, or due to medications.
FAQs
Scopolamine is used to treat Nausea and vomiting.
Scopolamine works by blocking the effects of a certain natural substance (acetylcholine) on the central nervous system. Thereby, it helps prevent nausea and vomiting.
Dry mouth could be a side effect of Scopolamine. Limiting caffeine intake, avoiding smoking and, drinking water regularly, chewing sugar-free gum/candy might stimulate saliva, thereby preventing drying of the mouth.
Scopolamine may decrease sweating and cause heat stroke. Therefore, avoid becoming dehydrated or overheated during exercise and in hot weather.
Scopolamine may cause withdrawal symptoms if used for several days or longer. Consult the doctor if you experience nausea, vomiting, dizziness, stomach cramps, difficulty with balance, headache, sweating, confusion, slow heart rate, low blood pressure or muscle weakness.
Yes, you can shower, bathe, and swim while wearing the patch, as it is water-resistant. However, avoid rubbing or scrubbing the patch area with a washcloth to prevent it from peeling off. If the patch does fall off, discard it and apply a fresh one behind your other ear. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns.
No, you must never cut the patch. Cutting the patch damages the special membrane that controls the steady release of medication, which can cause too much medicine to enter your bloodstream at once. Talk to your doctor if you feel the dose is too strong.
If the patch falls off, peel it off completely, discard it safely, and clean the area. Apply a new patch behind your opposite ear to complete your treatment period. Talk to your doctor if you experience returning symptoms after the patch falls off.
Yes, drowsiness is a very common side effect of this medication. You should avoid driving, riding a bike, or operating heavy machinery until you know how this medication affects your alertness. Talk to your doctor if your drowsiness is severe or does not improve.
You should consult your healthcare provider before using this medicine if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. The safety of this patch during pregnancy has not been fully established, so it should only be used if the benefit outweighs the risk. Talk to your doctor to discuss safer alternatives.
Older adults can use this medication, but they must do so with caution. The elderly are more sensitive to side effects like confusion, memory issues, dry mouth, and difficulty urinating. Talk to your doctor to determine if a patch is safe for you.
When removing the patch, fold it in half with the sticky side facing inward so the remaining medicine is sealed inside. Throw it away in a trash can that is secure from children and pets, and wash your hands and the application area immediately with soap. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you need further guidance.
