• Basic Info
• Top Questions
• Clinical Info
• Interactions

What is scopolamine?
Scopolamine is an anticholinergic medicine. Scopolamine has many effects in the body including decreasing the secretion of fluids, slowing the stomach and intestines, and dilation of the pupils. Scopolamine is used to relieve nausea, vomiting, and dizziness associated with motion sickness and recovery from anesthesia and surgery. Scopolamine may also be used in the treatment of parkinsonism, spastic muscle states, irritable bowel syndrome, diverticulitis, and other conditions. Scopolamine may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

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What is the price of this medication and similar alternatives?

This pricing information is subject to change at the sole discretion of DS Pharmacy. For the most current and up-to-date pricing information, please visit drugstore.com.

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What are the possible side effects of scopolamine?

Stop using scopolamine and seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately if you experience:

• an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives);

• pain and redness of the eyes with dilated pupils; or

• difficulty urinating.

In rare cases, unusual reactions to ordinary doses of scopolamine have occurred including confusion, agitation, rambling speech, hallucinations, paranoid behaviors, and delusions. In the case of such a reaction, stop using scopolamine and seek medical attention.

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

• drowsiness;

• dizziness;

• dry mouth;

• restlessness;

• blurred vision;

• dilated pupils;

• dry or itchy eyes;

• flushing; or

• fast heartbeats.

Nausea, vomiting, dizziness, headache, and poor coordination have been reported when treatment that has lasted more than a few days is discontinued. If you use scopolamine for more than a few 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.

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How should I use scopolamine?
Use scopolamine exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you. Take each dose with a full glass of water. Store scopolamine at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

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What is the most important information I should know about scopolamine?
Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Scopolamine 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 using scopolamine. In rare cases, unusual reactions to ordinary doses of scopolamine have occurred including confusion, agitation, rambling speech, hallucinations, paranoid behaviors, and delusions. In the case of such a reaction, stop using scopolamine and seek medical attention.

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

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What other drugs will affect scopolamine?
Scopolamine may increase the effects of other drugs that cause drowsiness, including antidepressants, alcohol, antihistamines (including meclizine), 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 other prescription or over-the-counter medicines without first talking to your doctor. Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with scopolamine. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before using any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.

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Can I take this if I am pregnant or trying to get pregnant or if I am breastfeeding?

Scopolamine has been assigned to pregnancy category C by the FDA. There are no controlled data in human pregnancy. Scopolamine is only recommended for use during pregnancy when benefit outweighs risk.

A marginal embryotoxic effect was noted in rabbits given doses yielding plasma concentrations 100 times that normally obtained in humans following transdermal administration.

There are no data on the excretion of scopolamine into human milk. No adverse effects in nursing infants have been reported in association with scopolamine ingestion via breast milk. Scopolamine is considered compatible with breast-feeding by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

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Who should NOT use this medication?

• Angle-closure glaucoma.
• Prostatic hypertrophy and obstructive uropathy (urinary bladder neck obstruction caused by prostatic hypertrophy). (See GU Effects under Cautions.)
• Obstructive GI disease (e.g., pyloroduodenal stenosis, achalasia). (See GI Effects under Cautions.)
• Repeated administration in those with chronic lung disease. (See Respiratory Effects under Cautions.)
• Paralytic ileus.
• Tachycardia secondary to cardiac insufficiency or thyrotoxicosis.
• Known idiosyncratic reaction to anticholinergic drugs.
• Known hypersensitivity to scopolamine, other belladonna alkaloid, barbiturates, or any ingredient or component in the formulation or administration system.

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What does my medication look like?
Scopolamine is available with a prescription as a topical patch under the brand name Transderm-Scop and as an oral tablet under the brand name Scopace. 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. Scopace 0.4 mg-white tablets

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What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention. Symptoms of a scopolamine overdose include drowsiness, dizziness, agitation, fever excitability, seizures or convulsions, hallucinations, coma, and death.

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Who should not use scopolamine?
Do not use scopolamine without first talking to your doctor if you have kidney disease, liver disease, an enlarged prostate, difficulty urinating, a stomach obstruction, heart disease, bladder problems, or glaucoma. You may not be able to use scopolamine, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above. Scopolamine is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether scopolamine will harm an unborn baby. Do not use scopolamine without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.

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Can I stop taking the medication if I feel better?
As a general rule, you should always take your medications exactly as prescribed and do not change the dosage or stop taking the medication without first discussing it with your healthcare provider.

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I am on so many medications; do I have to take them all?
This is called polypharmacy—many different medications being used at the same time by one person. Sometimes, being on multiple medications is acceptable and appropriate but at other times it may be problematic. If you are receiving your medications from multiple physicians you need to ensure that they all know what medications you are taking. The best way to do this is to make a list of all the medications you are currently using, including all nutritional supplements, homeopathic remedies, vitamins and over-the-counter drugs (if possible, also include all the diseases you have been diagnosed with). Give a copy to every doctor who takes care of you so they have it on file, this way they can avoid duplicating medications and perhaps even try to consolidate some. After every doctor's visit remember to update the list accordingly. Also, as much as you possibly can, try to use the same pharmacy to fill all your prescriptions, this way any potential drug interactions can be caught and averted.

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Where can I get more information?
More Information

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