Type of medicine: anticholinergic
Generic and brand names: scopolamine, transdermal; Transderm-Scop
This medicine is used to prevent nausea and vomiting from motion sickness or from anesthesia used in surgery. It is absorbed from an adhesive patch applied to your skin.
This medicine may be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.
Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:
Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine with harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.
Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Use this medicine exactly as directed by your healthcare provider. Follow your healthcare provider's instructions for applying the patch. Wear only 1 patch at a time. Do NOT cut the patch.
Carefully read the directions that come in the medicine package.
Wash and dry your hands thoroughly before and after handling the patch. Keep your hands away from your eyes when handling the patch.
Apply the patch to a hairless area of skin behind your ear at least 4 hours before travel or as directed by your healthcare provider. To prevent nausea and vomiting after surgery, your healthcare provider may instruct you to apply the patch the evening before surgery. Do not put it on broken or irritated skin.
If the patch does not stick to the skin well or falls off, remove the patch and discard it. Apply a new patch to the same area behind the other ear.
If you are wearing the patch to prevent motion sickness, remove the patch after 72 hours. If you are wearing the patch to prevent nausea and vomiting after surgery, it is usually removed 24 hours after the surgery, or as directed by your healthcare provider.
If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.
Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: drowsiness, dizziness, restlessness, nervousness, hallucinations, confusion, large pupils, blurred vision, dry mouth, decreased urination, flushing, fast or irregular heartbeat, fever, seizures.
Contact your healthcare provider if your condition does not improve or if it gets worse. Keep appointments for follow up visits.
Dry mouth and constipation are common side effects of this medicine. If these become bothersome, contact your healthcare provider.
This medicine may cause blurred vision, dizziness, or drowsiness. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert and able to see clearly. You may feel dizzy or faint when you get up quickly after sitting or lying down. Getting up slowly may help.
This medicine increases the risk of heat stroke because it reduces sweating. Avoid extreme heat, saunas, hot tubs, and exercising too much (especially in hot weather).
If you need emergency care, surgery, or other tests, tell the healthcare provider you are using this medicine. The patch should be removed before certain tests or procedures such as MRIs.
This medicine may make your eyes more sensitive to light. Wear sunglasses to help protect your eyes.
If your skin gets irritated where you apply the patch, remove the patch and rinse your skin with water.
If you use this medicine for more than a few days, and then stop treatment, you may have symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, vomiting, headache, and loss of balance. These symptoms may start 24 hours or more after the patch is removed. Contact your healthcare provider if these symptoms persist.
This medicine increases the effects of alcohol and other medicines that slow down the nervous system. Do not drink alcohol or take other medicines that make you drowsy unless your healthcare provider approves.
Adults over the age of 65 may be at greater risk for side effects such as nervousness or drowsiness. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.
Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.
Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat) or seizures.
Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Severe vision problems, eye redness, or eye pain; confusion, clumsiness, trouble walking or keeping your balance; memory loss; unusual thoughts or behavior; fast or irregular heartbeat; slurred speech; hallucinations; muscle weakness; severe diarrhea; trouble urinating; trouble swallowing; severe or continued nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain; constipation that continues or gets worse.
Other: Constipation, dry mouth, dry skin, decreased sweating, flushing, mild nausea, vomiting, change in sense of taste, stuffy nose, restlessness, nervousness, dizziness, drowsiness, trouble sleeping, headache, dilated pupils, blurred vision, change in sexual ability or desire.
When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:
If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.
Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.
This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.
Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.
Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Do not share medicines with other people.
