SCOPOLAMINE (Hyoscine)

Brand & Generic Names

Barbidonna
Barbidonna 2
Buscopan
Kinesed
Transderm-Scop
Transderm-V

Basic Information

• Habit forming? No
• Prescription needed? High strength: Yes Low strength: No
• Available as generic? Yes
• Drug class: Antispasmodic, anticholinergic

Uses

• Reduces spasms of digestive system, bladder and urethra.
• Relieves painful menstruation.
• Prevents motion sickness.

Dosage & Usage Information

How to take:
Capsules--Swallow with liquid or food to lessen stomach irritation.
Drops--Dilute dose in beverage.
Skin discs--Clean application site. Change application sites with each dose.

When to take:
Motion sickness--Apply disc 30 minutes before departure.
Other uses--Take 30 minutes before meals (unless directed otherwise by doctor).

If you forget a dose:
Take up to 2 hours late. If more than 2 hours, wait for next dose (don't double this dose).

What drug does:
Blocks nerve impulses at parasympathetic nerve endings, preventing muscle contractions and gland secretions of organs involved.

Time lapse before drug works:
15 to 30 minutes.

Don't take with:
Any other medicine without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.

Overdose

SYMPTOMS:
Dilated pupils, blurred vision, rapid pulse and breathing, dizziness, fever, hallucinations, confusion, slurred speech, agitation, flushed face, convulsions, coma.

WHAT TO DO:

• Dial 911 (emergency) or O (operator) for an ambulance or medical help. Then give first aid immediately.
• See EMERGENCY Information.

Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects

Life-threatening:

Hives, rash, intense Seek emergency itching, faintness soon treatment immediately. after a dose (anaphylaxis).

Common:

• Confusion, delirium, rapid heartbeat.
• Nausea, vomiting, decreased sweating.
• Constipation, loss of taste.
• Dryness in ears, nose, throat, mouth.

Infrequent:

• Headache, difficult urination, nasal congestion, altered taste.
• Lightheadedness.

Rare:

Rash or hives, eye pain, blurred vision.

Warnings & Precautions

Don't take if:

• You are allergic to any anticholinergic.
• You have trouble with stomach bloating.
• You have difficulty emptying your bladder completely.
• You have narrow-angle glaucoma.
• You have severe ulcerative colitis.

Before you start, consult your doctor:

• If you have open-angle glaucoma, angina, chronic bronchitis or asthma, hiatal hernia, liver disease, enlarged prostate, myasthenia gravis, peptic ulcer, kidney or thyroid disease.
• If you will have surgery within 2 months, including dental surgery, requiring general or spinal anesthesia.

Over age 60:
Adverse reactions and side effects may be more frequent and severe than in younger persons.

Pregnancy:
Studies inconclusive on harm to unborn child. Animal studies show fetal abnormalities. Decide with your doctor whether drug benefits justify risk to unborn child.

Breast-feeding:
Drug passes into milk and decreases milk flow. Avoid drug or discontinue nursing until you finish medicine. Consult doctor for advice on maintaining milk supply.

Infants & children:
Use only under medical supervision.

Prolonged use:
Chronic constipation, possible fecal impaction. Consult doctor immediately.

Skin & sunlight:
No problems expected.

Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
Use disqualifies you for piloting aircraft. Otherwise, no problems expected.

Discontinuing:
May be unnecessary to finish medicine. Follow doctor's instructions.

Others:
Advise any doctor or dentist whom you consult that you take this medicine.

Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

GENERIC NAME	COMBINED EFFECT
------------------------	-----------------------
Amantadine	Increased scopolamine effect.
Antacids*	Decreased scopolamine effect.
Anticholinergics*,	Increased scopolamine effect.
Antidepressants,	Increased scopolamine effect.
tricyclic (TCA)*	Increased sedation.
Antidiarrheals*	Decreased scopolamine effect.
Antihistamines*	Increased scopolamine effect.
Attapulgite	Decreased scopolamine effect.
Buclizine	Increased scopolamine effect.
Clozapine	Toxic effect on the central nervous
	system.
Cortisone drugs*	Increased internal eye pressure.
Digitalis	Possible decreased absorption of
	scopolamine.
Encainide	Increased effect of toxicity on
	heart muscle.
Ethinamate	Dangerous increased effects of
	ethinamate. Avoid combining.
Fluoxetine	Increased depressant effects of
	both drugs.
Guanfacine	May increase depressant effects of
	either medicine.
Haloperidol	Increased internal eye pressure.
Ketoconazole	Decreased ketoconazole effect.
Leucovorin	High alcohol content of leucovorin
	may cause adverse effects.
MAO inhibitors*	Increased scopolamine effect.
Meperidine	Increased scopolamine effect.
Methylphenidate	Increased scopolamine effect.
Methyprylon	May increase sedative effect to
	dangerous level. Avoid.
Molindone	Increased anticholinergic effect.
Nabilone	Greater depression of central
	nervous system.
Nitrates*	Increased internal-eye pressure.
Nizatidine	Increased nizatidine effect.
Orphenadrine	Increased scopolamine effect.
Phenothiazines*	Increased scopolamine effect.
Pilocarpine	Loss of pilocarpine effect in
	glaucoma treatment.
Potassium	Possible intestinal ulcers with
supplements*	oral potassium tablets.
Quinidine	Increased scopolamine effect.
Sedatives* or central	Increased sedative effect of
nervous system (CNS)	both drugs.
Sertraline	Increased depressive effects
	of both drugs.
Vitamin C	Decreased scopolamine effect. Avoid
	large doses of vitamin C.

Possible Interaction with Other Substances

INTERACTS WITH	COMBINED EFFECT
---------------	---------------
Alcohol:	None expected.
Beverages:	None expected.
Cocaine:	Excessively rapid heartbeat. Avoid.
Foods:	None expected.
Marijuana:	Drowsiness, dry mouth.
Tobacco:	None expected.