scopolamine topical

Pronunciation:	skoe PAH lah meen
Brand:	Transderm-Scop

What is the most important information I should know about scopolamine topical?

Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Scopolamine topical may cause dizziness, drowsiness, or blurred vision. If you experience dizziness, drowsiness, or blurred vision, avoid these activities.

Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while you are using scopolamine topical.

What is scopolamine topical?

Scopolamine is an anticholinergic medicine. Anticholinergics have many effects in the body. For example, they decrease the secretion of fluids, slow the stomach and intestine, and dilate the pupils.

Scopolamine topical is used to relieve nausea, vomiting, and dizziness associated with motion sickness.

Scopolamine topical may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using scopolamine topical?

Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you have

kidney disease,
liver disease,
an enlarged prostate,
difficulty urinating,
bladder problems, or
glaucoma.

You may not be able to use scopolamine topical, or you may require a lower dose or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

Scopolamine topical is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether scopolamine topical will harm an unborn baby. Do not use scopolamine topical without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.

It is not known whether scopolamine topical passes into breast milk. Do not use scopolamine topical without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Scopolamine topical is not recommended for use by children. Children are much more sensitive to the side effects of scopolamine.

How should I use scopolamine topical?

Use scopolamine topical exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

Scopolamine topical is applied as a patch to the skin behind the ear. One patch should be applied 4 hours before travel.

Apply the patch to dry, hairless skin behind the ear. Each patch is effective for 3 days. After 3 days, remove the patch and apply a new one, if necessary, behind the other ear.

Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling a patch. Do not let the medication get near your eyes. If it does get into your eyes, you may experience dry or itchy eyes, dilated pupils, and blurred vision. These effects generally do not require treatment and will go away on their own. Rinse the eyes with water and notify your doctor if necessary.

Keep the patch as dry as possible while wearing it. It should remain in place even while bathing or swimming. If the patch falls off, replace it with a new patch behind the other ear.

Do not use more than one patch at a time.

Store scopolamine topical at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Use the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and use only your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not use a double dose of this medication.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention.

Symptoms of a scopolamine topical overdose include drowsiness, dizziness, agitation, excitability, seizures or convulsions, hallucinations, and death.

What should I avoid while using scopolamine topical?

Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while you are using scopolamine topical.

What are the possible side effects of scopolamine topical?

Stop using scopolamine topical and seek emergency medical attention if you experience an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives).

Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to use scopolamine topical and talk to your doctor if you experience

drowsiness;
dry mouth, nose, or throat;
restlessness, excitation, nervousness, or insomnia;
blurred vision;
dizziness;
decreased appetite, nausea, or vomiting;
difficulty urinating; or
an irregular or fast heartbeat.

Nausea, vomiting, dizziness, headache, and poor coordination have been reported when treatment that has lasted more than 3 days is discontinued. If you use scopolamine topical for more than 3 days, be aware that these side effects may occur when you stop.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect scopolamine topical?

Scopolamine topical may increase the effects of other drugs that cause drowsiness, including antidepressants, alcohol, antihistamines, sedatives (used to treat insomnia), pain relievers, anxiety medicines, and muscle relaxants. Tell your doctor about all medicines that you are using, and do not use any medicine unless your doctor approves.

Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with scopolamine topical. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before using any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist has more information about scopolamine topical written for health professionals that you may read.

What does my medication look like?

Scopolamine topical is available with a prescription under the brand name Transderm-Scop in 1.5 mg patches. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2003 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 2.01. Revision date: 9/9/04.

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