Scopolamine

Summary

Scopolamine is an anticholinergic medication that is used to treat motion sickness and reduce oral secretions. As an anticholinergic drug, it causes anticholinergic side effects like urinary retention, constipation, dry mouth, and pupillary dilation.

Key Points

• Scopolamine
  • Mechanism
    • Anticholinergic
      • Blocks the effects of acetylcholine on the CNS
  • Clinical Use
    • Vestibular Nausea (motion sickness)
      • Meniere’s Disease
        • An inner ear disorder that causes dizziness and nausea
      • Often given via a transdermal patch, placed behind the ear, that lasts 3 days. Patch should be placed 4 hours before the desired effect.
    • Reduces airway secretions
      • Anesthesia/intubation
      • Death rattle
  • Side Effects and Adverse Reactions
    • Anticholinergic Effects
      • Dry mouth (xerostomia)
      • Blurred vision from pupil dilation
        • Contraindicated in glaucoma
      • Constipation
      • Urinary retention
      • Tachycardia
      • Hypotension