scopolamine transdermal

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Pronunciation: skoe PAL a meen

Brand: Transderm-Scop

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

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to scopolamine or similar medications such as methscopolamine (Pamine) or hyoscyamine (Hyospaz, Levsin, Symax), or if you have narrow-angle glaucoma.

Before using scopolamine transdermal, tell your doctor if you have glaucoma, kidney or liver disease, epilepsy or other seizure disorder, a blockage in your intestines, or if you have a bladder obstruction or are unable to urinate.

Also tell your doctor if you regularly use other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold or allergy medicine, sedatives, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression, or anxiety). They can add to sleepiness caused by scopolamine.

Scopolamine slows the digestive tract, which can make it harder for your body to absorb any medicines you take by mouth. Tell your doctor if any of your oral medications do not seem to work as well while you are using scopolamine transdermal.

Scopolamine transdermal may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.

Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as eye pain or redness, seeing halos around lights, blurred vision and increased sensitivity to light, hallucinations, unusual thoughts or behavior, or urinating less than usual.

The scopolamine transdermal patch may burn your skin if you wear the patch during an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging). Remove the patch before undergoing such a test.

What is scopolamine transdermal?

Scopolamine reduces the secretions of certain organs in the body, such as the stomach.

Scopolamine transdermal is used to prevent nausea and vomiting caused by motion sickness or from anesthesia given during surgery.

Scopolamine transdermal may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

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

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to scopolamine or similar medications such as methscopolamine (Pamine) or hyoscyamine (Hyospaz, Levsin, Symax), or if you have narrow-angle glaucoma.

If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use this medication:

  • glaucoma;
  • kidney disease;
  • liver disease;
  • epilepsy or other seizure disorder;
  • a blockage in your intestines; or
  • if you have a bladder obstruction or are unable to urinate.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether scopolamine transdermal will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication.

Scopolamine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of scopolamine transdermal.

Do not use this medication on a child.

How should I use scopolamine transdermal?

Use exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

The scopolamine transdermal skin patch is applied to a hairless area of skin just behind your ear.

Wear only 1 patch at a time. Do not cut or tear the patch.

For preventing motion sickness, the skin patch should be applied at least 4 hours before you will be exposed to a situation that may cause motion sickness.

For preventing nausea and vomiting after surgery, the skin patch is usually applied the evening before surgery. Keep wearing the patch for 24 hours after your surgery, then remove it and throw it away.

If the skin patch falls off, replace it with a new one.

One patch may be worn for up to 3 days. If you need to use the medication for longer than 3 days, remove the patch and place a new one behind your other ear.

After removing a patch, fold it closed with the sticky side in, and throw it away in a place where pets and children cannot reach it.

Always wash your hands with soap and water after handling a scopolamine transdermal skin patch, whether you are applying it or removing it. To make sure there are no traces of this medication left on your skin after a patch is removed, wash the skin behind your ear where the patch was worn. Use soap and water and then dry thoroughly.

You may have withdrawal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, headache, muscle weakness, and severe dizziness when you stop using scopolamine transdermal. Ask your doctor how to avoid withdrawal symptoms when you stop using this medication.

If you are pregnant and are using this medication before a C-section, you may apply the patch 1 hour before your scheduled surgery.

This medication can cause you to have unusual results with certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using scopolamine transdermal.

The scopolamine transdermal patch may burn your skin if you wear the patch during an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging). Remove the patch before undergoing such a test.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep each patch in its foil wrapper until you are ready to apply a patch.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Since scopolamine transdermal is taken as needed, you may not be on a dosing schedule. If you are taking the medication regularly, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

If you forget to apply the patch as directed before surgery, contact your doctor for instructions. Do not use extra patches to make up for applying the medication later than directed.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose can cause vision problems, hallucinations, dry mouth, hot or dry skin, fast heartbeat, and seizure, or urinating less than usual.

What should I avoid while using scopolamine transdermal?

Scopolamine transdermal may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.

Avoid touching your eyes just after applying a scopolamine transdermal skin patch. The medication contained in the patch can dilate your pupils and cause blurred vision.

Drinking alcohol can increase certain side effects of scopolamine transdermal.

What are the possible side effects of scopolamine transdermal?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Remove the scopolamine transdermal patch and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

  • eye pain or redness, seeing halos around lights;
  • blurred vision and increased sensitivity to light;
  • confusion, agitation, extreme fear, hallucinations, unusual thoughts or behavior; or
  • urinating less than usual or not at all.

Less serious side effects may include:

  • drowsiness, dizziness;
  • dry mouth;
  • dry or itchy eyes;
  • feeling restless;
  • memory problems; or
  • mild itching or skin rash.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect scopolamine transdermal?

Before using scopolamine transdermal, tell your doctor if you regularly use other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold or allergy medicine, sedatives, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression, or anxiety). They can add to sleepiness caused by scopolamine.

Scopolamine slows the digestive tract, which can make it harder for your body to absorb any medicines you take by mouth. Tell your doctor if any of your oral medications do not seem to work as well while you are using scopolamine transdermal.

This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with scopolamine transdermal. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about scopolamine transdermal.

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.

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