What is scopolamine?
Scopolamine is a prescription anticholinergic drug used to treat nausea and vomiting in patients who have undergone anesthesia. It is also prescribed to help treat motion sickness. It is most commonly supplied as a patch that is placed on the bare skin behind the ear. Scopolamine is available in its generic form or under the brand name Transderm Scop.
Talk to your doctor about whether scopolamine is right for you.
What are the most common side effects of scopolamine?
Scopolamine has been shown to cause adverse side effects in some patients. If these reactions become severe or do not go away after a day or two, seek medical attention right away.
The most common side effects of scopolamine use include:
- Dizziness
- Lightheadedness
- Dry mouth
- Drowsiness
- Sweating
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Scopolamine is a prescription anticholinergic drug used to treat nausea and vomiting in patients who have undergone anesthesia. It is also prescribed to help treat motion sickness. It is most commonly supplied as a patch that is placed on the bare skin behind the ear. It can be left in place for up to 3 days.
Scopolamine is available in its generic form or under the brand name Transderm Scop.
Scopolamine is primarily used as a treatment for nausea and vomiting in patients who have just had surgery, or as a treatment for motion sickness. Anesthesia given before surgery often makes patients nauseous, even to the point of vomiting. Many surgeons will pre-medicate the patient to prevent this side effect. Scopolamine may be administered before the surgery, or a few hours before the patient wakes up to prevent these uncomfortable symptoms.
Motion sickness is a feeling of nausea or queasiness that affects nearly one in three Americans. The dizziness that characterizes the condition is caused by your brain struggling to make sense of the sensory information that your eyes, inner ear, and body are providing.
Motion sickness can produce the following symptoms:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Cold sweats
- Dizziness
- Breathlessness
- Fatigue
Anyone can experience motion sickness, but it is most common in children, pregnant women, and patients on certain medications.
Scopolamine belongs to a classification of medication known as anticholinergics. These drugs work by blocking the action of acetylcholine - a neurotransmitter that regulates several functions in the nervous system. By doing so, scopolamine helps to calm muscle spasms and nausea symptoms in the gut.
Scopolamine usage has been shown to cause some mild side effects. Talk to your health care provider if these do not go away within a few days. If you begin to experience more serious effects, seek medical attention immediately.
Common side effects reported from scopolamine use include:
- Dizziness
- Lightheadedness
- Dry mouth
- Sleepiness/ drowsiness
- Dilated pupils
- Dryness or soreness of the throat
- Sweating
Serious side effects include:
- Rash
- Redness
- Blurred vision
- Changes in vision
- Eye pain
- Agitation/ restlessness
- Hallucinations
- Difficulty with speaking
- Confusion
Seek medical attention right away if you begin to notice any of these symptoms. These are signs of a serious adverse reaction and medical treatment is required.
As with all prescription medication, inform your doctor of any medical conditions you are currently managing. Tell them about any and all medication, prescription drugs, and supplements you are taking before starting treatment with scopolamine. Scopolamine can interact with substances in the body, causing potentially serious adverse reactions.
Let them know if you have glaucoma, difficulty with urination, high protein levels in the urine, or any psychotic disorders. You should also inform your provider if you have or have had heart, kidney, or liver disease.
Scopolamine can cause drowsiness. Because of this, you should not operate a motor vehicle or heavy machinery until you know how this medication affects you.
Finally, let your doctor know if you are pregnant or plan on becoming pregnant before starting treatment with scopolamine. If you become pregnant while taking scopolamine, inform your health care provider immediately. Do not take this medication if you are currently breastfeeding.
Scopolamine is generally administered as a transdermal patch (a medicated patch to be placed on the skin). Scopolamine patches are meant for external use only.
The exact dosage prescribed will depend on the patient’s age and body weight. It is recommended that you apply the patch 4 hours before its effects are needed. Patients undergoing surgery may be asked to apply the patch the night before their operation.
To apply the scopolamine patch:
- Wash your hands with soap and water before touching the patch
- Do not cut or alter the patch in any way; remove it from the protective cover and apply it to clean, dry and hairless skin behind the ear
- Press the patch firmly into the skin
- Wash your hands after handling the medicated patch
If you miss a dose of scopolamine, apply a new patch as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next scheduled dose, apply the next patch and skip the missed dose. Do not apply a double dose of scopolamine.
Take this medication exactly as prescribed by your health care provider. Keep all medication bottles and containers out of reach of small children, and at room temperature. Avoid exposing the medication to excess heat or moisture. Seek medical attention right away if you begin to notice chest pain, trouble breathing, or signs of an allergic reaction (hives, rash, swelling) after taking the medicine.
Do not exceed the dosage prescribed by your health care provider or discontinue the use of scopolamine without consulting your health care provider first.
Scopolamine is currently only available via prescription. This means that a licensed health care provider must authorize the use of this medication.
If you are looking for a prescription, providers on Sesame can write a prescription–or refill an existing one–during a virtual or in-person visit. Note that not all drugs can be prescribed via an online video appointment. In some cases, an in-person doctor visit is required for a prescription.
Depending on the medication, you can arrange for same-day pickup at your pharmacy or order the medication to be delivered to your door for just $5. Book an appointment with a provider on Sesame today to discuss whether or not scopolamine is right for you.
Note that all prescriptions are at the discretion of your health care provider. Sesame cannot guarantee that you will be provided a prescription after a video or in-person appointment. Providers on Sesame are unable to prescribe controlled substances. For more information about controlled substances, check out the Drug Enforcement Agency’s scheduling guidelines here.
Providers on Sesame can write a prescription for scopolamine to be picked up near you–often within the same day. Don’t wait to get your prescription filled. Talk to a provider on Sesame and get your prescription ordered right away for fast and convenient pickup from a pharmacy of your choice.
Note that all prescriptions are at the discretion of your doctor.
