scopolamine
Scopolamine (Transderm Scop) is a prescription anticholinergic medication. It's used to prevent nausea and vomiting from motion sickness, as well as from anesthesia or pain medications used in surgery. Scopolamine (Transderm Scop) comes as a patch that you place behind your ear. You need to apply it at least 4 hours before any activities that might cause motion sickness, or the night before your surgery. Common side effects scopolamine (Transderm Scop) include dry mouth, sleepiness, and dizziness.
What is Scopolamine (Transderm Scop)?
What is Scopolamine (Transderm Scop) used for?
- Prevention of nausea and vomiting due to:
- Motion sickness
- Anesthesia or pain medications used in surgery
How Scopolamine (Transderm Scop) works
Scopolamine (Transderm Scop) is an anticholinergic. It works by blocking a chemical called acetylcholine from attaching to receptors (signaling proteins) in the part of your brain that cause nausea and vomiting.
Drug facts
Side effects of Scopolamine (Transderm Scop)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Dry mouth (29%)
- Dizziness (12%)
- Sleepiness (8%)
- Agitation (6%)
- Changes in vision (5%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Confusion
- Pupils widening
- Sore throat
Scopolamine (Transderm Scop) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Mental health problems: psychosis, agitation, hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren't there), and paranoia
- Seizures
More on Scopolamine (Transderm Scop) side effects
The following Scopolamine (Transderm Scop) side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
Agitation
Less common
Bigger, dilated, or enlarged pupils (black part of the eye)
blurred vision or other changes in vision
confusion
increased sensitivity of the eyes to light
Incidence not known
Burning feeling while urinating
delusions of persecution, mistrust, suspiciousness, or combativeness
difficulty in speaking
disturbance in attention
dry, itchy eyes
eyelid irritation
headache
loss of memory
poor coordination
problems with memory
restlessness
seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there
Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:
Symptoms of overdose
blurred or loss of vision
change in consciousness
decrease in frequency of urination
decrease in urine volume
deep or fast breathing with dizziness
difficulty in passing urine (dribbling)
disturbed color perception
double vision
dry, flushed skin
fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
halos around lights
headache
irritability
loss of consciousness
nervousness
night blindness
numbness of the feet, hands, and around the mouth
overbright appearance of lights
pounding in the ears
seizures
shaking
sleepiness
trouble with sleeping
tunnel vision
unusual drowsiness, dullness, tiredness, weakness, or feeling of sluggishness
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Less common
Body aches or pain
congestion
dryness or soreness of the throat
hoarseness
tender, swollen glands in the neck
trouble in swallowing
voice changes
More common
Burning feeling at the application site
feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
itching, skin rash
lightheadedness
sensation of spinning
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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Pros and cons of Scopolamine (Transderm Scop)
Pros
- Works well for preventing nausea and vomiting
- Effects lasts for up to 3 days
- Applied to skin, so a good choice for people who've trouble taking pills
- Available as a lower-cost generic
Cons
- Not for use in children younger than 18 years old
- Takes about 4 hours to start working, so need to remember to take it ahead of time
- Doesn't treat nausea and vomiting that's already happening
- Can cause drowsiness, blurry vision, and confusion
Pharmacist tips for Scopolamine (Transderm Scop)
- Avoid drinking alcohol while using scopolamine (Transderm Scop) because alcohol can make sleepiness and confusion from scopolamine (Transderm Scop) worse.
- Don't drive, operate machinery, or do anything that requires concentration until you know how this medication affects you. Dizziness and sleepiness are some of the more common side effects of scopolamine (Transderm Scop) and can make these activities dangerous.
- Some people might experience withdrawal symptoms from scopolamine (Transderm Scop) after removing the patch, especially after they've been using this medication for multiple days. Symptoms of withdrawal can include dizziness, headaches, or confusion. They generally appear about 24 hours after you've removed scopolamine (Transderm Scop). Get medical attention if your symptoms are severe.
- If you need to get a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), remove scopolamine (Transderm Scop) before the scan. Leaving the patch on during the procedure can lead to skin burns because the patch contains metal material.
More tips on applying and wearing scopolamine (Transderm Scop) patch:
- Make sure to apply scopolamine (Transderm Scop) to the hairless area behind your ear. If you have long hair, tie it up or move it out of the way so that the patch doesn't stick to your hair. Press the patch down for a few seconds to make sure the patch stays in place.
- Only wear one scopolamine (Transderm Scop) patch at any time. When switching to a new patch, make sure to remove the used one first before putting on a new patch behind the other ear.
- Don't cut the scopolamine (Transderm Scop) patch. When opening the package, make sure to cut along the dotted line near the edge so you don't damage the patch.
- Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after you handle a scopolamine (Transderm Scop) patch, including new and used patches. You can get blurry vision if the medication gets on your hands and you rub your eyes.
- If the scopolamine (Transderm Scop) patch comes loose or if you remove the patch and need to apply a new one, apply it behind the other ear. Swimming and bathing can make the patch more likely to fall off, so be careful to not knock it loose.
- After you remove the scopolamine (Transderm Scop) patch, wash the area behind your ear where the patch used to be. If you're using a new patch right after removing the old one, apply the new one behind your other ear.
- Don't bend, fold, or roll the scopolamine (Transderm Scop) patch since this can affect how the medication works. Only fold the patch if it has been used and you're going to throw it away.
- When you remove the scopolamine (Transderm Scop) patch, fold it in half so that the sticky sides come together. Make sure to throw it out in a trash bin where it can't be reached by children or pets, since there will still be some medication in the used patch. This can be dangerous for them to handle or swallow.
More on Scopolamine (Transderm Scop) tips
Common questions about Scopolamine (Transderm Scop)
Talk with your primary care provider (PCP) if you're concerned about scopolamine (Transderm Scop) withdrawal. You're more likely to experience withdrawal symptoms, such as headache and nausea, if you've been using this medication for 3 days or longer. Symptoms usually start around 24 hours after the patch is removed and can last several days to weeks. To minimize scopolamine (Transderm Scop) withdrawal symptoms, your PCP might recommend that you use this medication for the shortest amount of time needed to treat your symptoms. Evidence suggests that meclizine (Antivert) can ease scopolamine (Transderm Scop) withdrawal so your PCP might prescribe it off-label.
First, pick a hairless area of your skin behind your ear to apply the patch and clean it with a dry tissue. Cut along the dashed line of the scopolamine (Transderm Scop) package to open it. Then, remove the clear plastic backing from the tan-colored round patch. Be careful not to touch the sticky side of the patch with your hands because this is the side with the medication on it. Apply the sticky side of the patch firmly to the dry area of skin behind your ear. Then, wash your hands well with soap and water right away just in case you have medication residue on your hands.
Apply the scopolamine (Transderm Scop) patch to the skin in a hairless area behind an ear. Don't apply the patch on skin that has cuts, is painful, or tender. Also, don't apply the patch anywhere else on your body. Wipe the area of your skin with a clean, dry tissue before applying scopolamine (Transderm Scop). If the patch falls off, fold the ends of the sticky side together, throw it in the trash, and apply a brand new patch.
People who used scopolamine (Transderm Scop) experienced 60-80% less frequent or less severe motion sickness compared with people who didn't take any medications. Scopolamine (Transderm Scop) has also been shown to work well for lowering nausea and vomiting after surgery and work just as well as commonly used anti-nausea medications, like ondansetron (Zofran). Your healthcare professional will decide if scopolamine (Transderm Scop) is right for you.
It usually takes at least 4 hours for scopolamine (Transderm Scop) to kick in. But this might take longer, around 24 hours, for some people. Studies suggest that scopolamine (Transderm Scop) might work best if you apply it 8-12 hours before any activities that can cause motion sickness.
Typically, a scopolamine (Transderm Scop) patch can be worn for up to 3 days to prevent nausea. If you think you might continue to have motion sickness for longer than 3 days, remove the patch and place a new one behind the other ear.
Yes, scopolamine (Transderm Scop) can make you drowsy and dizzy. And it's less likely to cause these side effects compared to motion sickness pills (e.g., dimenhydrinate (Dramamine) or meclizine (Antivert)). If you're starting scopolamine (Transderm Scop) for the first time, don't drive or do anything that requires concentration until you know how this medication affects you. Contact your primary care provider if scopolamine (Transderm Scop) is making you too sleepy throughout the day, they can talk with you about other options to prevent nausea.
Talk with your obstetrician if you're experiencing nausea and vomiting during pregnancy to learn about your options. Limited research suggests that scopolamine (Transderm Scop) isn't likely to cause harm to babies if taken during pregnancy. Because more information is needed, scopolamine (Transderm Scop) isn't recommended during pregnancy unless your obstetrician thinks the benefit of this medication is greater than the risks of harm. But they won't consider scopolamine (Transderm Scop) for anyone with severe preeclampsia because of the risk for seizures.
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Risks and warnings for Scopolamine (Transderm Scop)
Scopolamine (Transderm Scop) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Angle-closure glaucoma
- Risk factors: History of glaucoma
Scopolamine (Transderm Scop) can raise the pressure in your eye and lead to angle-closure glaucoma. This is a condition where fluid builds up in the eye and the drainage is blocked. If you already have glaucoma, you might need to get your eye pressure checked more regularly or adjust your glaucoma medication doses while on scopolamine (Transderm Scop). Remove scopolamine (Transderm Scop) and get medical help right away if you notice symptoms of angle-closure glaucoma, including eye pain, redness, or problems with your vision.
Brain and mental health problems
- Risk factors: Other mental health conditions | History of seizures | Older adults | Drinking alcohol | Taking other medications that cause sleepiness
Scopolamine (Transderm Scop) can worsen or trigger mental health problems, including psychosis, agitation, hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren't there), and paranoia. It can also cause seizures or seizure-like activity, sleepiness, and confusion. Let your primary care provider and pharmacist know about all the medications you're taking since other medications can make these side effects worse (e.g., benzodiazepines, anxiety medications, muscle relaxants, sleep medications, alcohol). Don't drive, participate in underwater sports, or do anything that requires concentration until you know how scopolamine (Transderm Scop) affects you.
Risk of seizures in pregnant people with preeclampsia
- Risk factors: Severe preeclampsia
Injectable forms of scopolamine (which aren't available in the United States) have caused seizures in pregnant females with severe preeclampsia. While this hasn't been seen with the scopolamine (Transderm Scop) patch, the risk can't be completely ruled out. It's best to avoid using scopolamine (Transderm Scop) patches if you're pregnant and have severe preeclampsia.
Blockage in the stomach, intestines, or bladder
- Risk factors: Blockages in the stomach, intestines, or bladder | Taking other anticholinergics or medications that affect stomach, intestine, or bladder movement
Anticholinergic medications like scopolamine (Transderm Scop) slow down the movement of food through your stomach and intestines and can also cause difficulty emptying your bladder. Let your prescriber know if you have stomach or urination problems before starting scopolamine (Transderm Scop) because this medication might not be a good choice for you. If you get stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, or difficulty urinating, take the scopolamine (Transderm Scop) patch off right away and contact your primary care provider.
Withdrawal
- Risk factors: Taking scopolamine (Transderm Scop) for many days
It's possible to get withdrawal symptoms if you suddenly stop wearing scopolamine (Transderm Scop), especially if you've been using it for 3 days or longer. Withdrawal symptoms usually start about a day after you remove the patch and can last for several days. Get medical help right away if you experience severe symptoms of scopolamine (Transderm Scop) withdrawal, such as balance problems, dizziness, stomach upset, headache, confusion, and muscle weakness.
Blurry vision
If scopolamine (Transderm Scop) gets in the eyes, it can affect your pupil size and cause blurry vision. Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after you touch a scopolamine (Transderm Scop) patch, even if it's a used patch.
Skin burn from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Scopolamine (Transderm Scop) patches contain aluminum. If you're receiving an MRI, let a member of the healthcare team know you're wearing scopolamine (Transderm Scop) and they'll give you specific instructions on when to take the patch off before the MRI. After the MRI, you can put on a new patch.
Scopolamine (Transderm Scop) dosage
Patch| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1mg/3 days | 10 patches | $45.12 | $4.51 |
Typical dosage for Scopolamine (Transderm Scop)
Prevention of nausea and vomiting due to motion sickness:
- The typical dose is to apply 1 patch behind the ear at least 4 hours before you expect to have motion sickness (such as before a car or boat ride). You can leave the patch in place for up to 3 days. If you expect to continue to have motion sickness for longer than 3 days, remove the patch and place a new one behind the other ear. Prevention of nausea and vomiting after surgery:
- The typical dose is to apply 1 patch behind the ear the night before surgery. Remove the patch 24 hours after surgery.
More on Scopolamine (Transderm Scop) dosage
Interactions between Scopolamine (Transderm Scop) and other drugs
More on Scopolamine (Transderm Scop) interactions
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
- Potassium
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Aclidinium
- Alfentanil
- Alprazolam
- Amifampridine
- Amitriptyline
- Amobarbital
- Amoxapine
- Anileridine
- Atropine
- Baclofen
- Belladonna
- Benzhydrocodone
- Benztropine
- Biperiden
- Bromazepam
- Brompheniramine
- Buprenorphine
- Bupropion
- Buspirone
- Butabarbital
- Butorphanol
- Calcium Oxybate
- Carbinoxamine
- Carisoprodol
- Chloral Hydrate
- Chlordiazepoxide
- Chlorpheniramine
- Chlorpromazine
- Chlorzoxazone
- Clemastine
- Clidinium
- Clobazam
- Clomipramine
- Clonazepam
- Clorazepate
- Clozapine
- Codeine
- Cyclobenzaprine
- Cyclopentolate
- Cyproheptadine
- Darifenacin
- Desipramine
- Dexmedetomidine
- Diacetylmorphine
- Diazepam
- Dicyclomine
- Difenoxin
- Dihydrocodeine
- Dimenhydrinate
- Diphenhydramine
- Diphenoxylate
- Donepezil
- Doxepin
- Doxylamine
- Estazolam
- Eszopiclone
- Ethchlorvynol
- Ethylmorphine
- Fentanyl
- Fesoterodine
- Flavoxate
- Flunitrazepam
- Fluphenazine
- Flurazepam
- Fospropofol
- Glucagon
- Glycopyrrolate
- Glycopyrronium Tosylate
- Halazepam
- Homatropine
- Hydrocodone
- Hydromorphone
- Hydroxyzine
- Hyoscyamine
- Imipramine
- Ipratropium
- Ketazolam
- Ketobemidone
- Levorphanol
- Lorazepam
- Loxapine
- Magnesium Oxybate
- Meclizine
- Mepenzolate
- Meperidine
- Mephobarbital
- Meprobamate
- Meptazinol
- Metaxalone
- Methacholine
- Methadone
- Methocarbamol
- Methohexital
- Methotrimeprazine
- Midazolam
- Morphine
- Morphine Sulfate Liposome
- Nalbuphine
- Nicomorphine
- Nitrazepam
- Nortriptyline
- Olanzapine
- Opium
- Opium Alkaloids
- Orphenadrine
- Oxazepam
- Oxitropium Bromide
- Oxybutynin
- Oxycodone
- Oxymorphone
- Papaveretum
- Paregoric
- Paroxetine
- Pentazocine
- Pentobarbital
- Perampanel
- Perphenazine
- Phenobarbital
- Pimozide
- Pipenzolate Bromide
- Pirenzepine
- Piritramide
- Potassium Oxybate
- Prazepam
- Primidone
- Prochlorperazine
- Procyclidine
- Promethazine
- Propantheline
- Propiverine
- Propofol
- Protriptyline
- Quazepam
- Quetiapine
- Ramelteon
- Remifentanil
- Revefenacin
- Secobarbital
- Secretin Human
- Sodium Oxybate
- Solifenacin
- Stramonium
- Sufentanil
- Tapentadol
- Temazepam
- Terodiline
- Thiopental
- Thioridazine
- Thiothixene
- Tilidine
- Tiotropium
- Tizanidine
- Tolterodine
- Topiramate
- Tramadol
- Triazolam
- Trifluoperazine
- Trihexyphenidyl
- Trimipramine
- Tropicamide
- Trospium
- Umeclidinium
- Zaleplon
- Zolpidem
- Zopiclone
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Scopolamine (Transderm Scop) contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Scopolamine (Transderm Scop) will not be safe for you to take.
- Angle-closure glaucoma
- Allergy to belladonna alkaloids
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