scopolamine 1 mg over 3 days transdermal patch

Generic name:
Scopolamine - transdermal

Pronunciation
(skoe-POL-a-meen)

Brand name(s)
Transderm-Scop

This skin patch is used to prevent nausea and vomiting caused by motion sickness or recovery from anesthesia and surgery. This medication works by correcting the imbalance of natural substances (acetylcholine and norepinephrine) that can occur in motion sickness. It also blocks certain signals to the brain that can cause nausea and vomiting.

This medication is not recommended for use in children.

Read the Patient Information Leaflet and Instructions for Use if available from your pharmacist before you start using scopolamine and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Peel off the clear backing from the patch and apply the patch firmly to a clean, dry, hairless area of the skin behind the ear. The patch will slowly release the medication into your body over 3 days. Do not use the patch if it is broken, cut, or damaged. After applying the patch, do not touch or apply pressure to the patch, since doing so may cause the medication to leak out.

If you are using the patch to prevent nausea and vomiting from motion sickness, apply the patch as directed by your doctor, usually at least 4 hours before the activity that causes motion sickness. Replace the patch every 3 days until it is no longer needed.

If you are using the patch to prevent nausea and vomiting after surgery, apply the patch as directed by your doctor, usually the evening before surgery. If the surgery is for a cesarean section, then the patch is usually applied 1 hour before the procedure to reduce the baby's exposure to the drug. Remove and throw away the patch as directed by your doctor, usually 24 hours after surgery.

If the patch comes off or needs to be replaced, throw away the old patch and place a new one behind the other ear, on a clean, dry, hairless area. Use only one patch at a time. When throwing away the old patch, fold it in half with the sticky side together and throw away in the trash away from children and pets.

This medication can cause temporary blurred vision and widened pupils if it comes in contact with the eyes. After handling the patch, always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. Also wash the area behind the ear where the patch was removed.

After stopping this medication, you may experience dizziness, loss of balance, nausea/vomiting, headache, muscle weakness, or slow heartbeat. If these effects occur, they usually appear 24 hours or more after you stop this medication. This is a result of your body adjusting to being off the medication. Report any such reactions to your doctor right away.

Tell your doctor if your condition lasts or gets worse.

Blurred vision and widened pupils may occur as your body adjusts to the medication. Dry mouth, drowsiness, dizziness, decreased sweating, constipation, and mild itching/redness on application site may also occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

To relieve dry mouth, suck (sugarless) hard candy or ice chips, chew (sugarless) gum, drink water, or use a saliva substitute.

Remember that this medication has been prescribed because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Remove the patch and tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including:

• mental/mood changes (such as confusion, agitation)
• difficulty urinating
• fast/irregular heartbeat

Remove the patch and get medical help right away if you have any very serious side effects, including:

• eye pain/swelling/redness
• vision changes (such as seeing rainbows around lights at night)
• seizures

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including:

• rash
• itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat)
• severe dizziness
• trouble breathing

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

In the US -

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.

In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Before using scopolamine, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other belladonna alkaloids (such as atropine); or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of:

• breathing problems (such as asthma, emphysema)
• personal or family history of glaucoma (angle-closure type)
• heart disease
• high blood pressure
• seizures
• stomach/intestine/esophagus problems (such as ulcers, blockage, GERD)
• overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism)
• difficulty urinating (for example, due to enlarged prostate)
• mental/mood disorders (such as psychosis, anxiety)
• kidney disease
• liver disease
• myasthenia gravis
• uncontrolled pain

This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy or blur your vision. Alcohol or marijuana (cannabis) can make you more dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machinery, participate in underwater activities, or do anything that needs alertness or clear vision until you can do it safely. Avoid alcoholic beverages. Talk to your doctor if you are using marijuana (cannabis).

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).

If you are going to have an MRI test, tell testing personnel that you are using this patch. Some patches may contain metals that can cause serious burns during an MRI. Ask your doctor whether you will need to remove your patch before the test and apply a new patch afterward, and how to do so properly.

This medication may make you sweat less, making you more likely to get heat stroke. Avoid doing things that may cause you to overheat, such as hard work or exercise in hot weather, or using hot tubs. When the weather is hot, drink a lot of fluids and dress lightly. If you overheat, quickly look for a place to cool down and rest. Get medical help right away if you have a fever that does not go away, mental/mood changes, headache, or dizziness.

Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially dizziness, drowsiness, and mental/mood changes (such as confusion).

During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.

This medication passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.

Some products that may interact with this drug include:

• potassium tablets/capsules
• pramlintide

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking other products that cause drowsiness including alcohol, marijuana (cannabis), antihistamines (such as cetirizine, diphenhydramine), drugs for sleep or anxiety (such as alprazolam, diazepam, zolpidem), muscle relaxants, and opioid pain relievers (such as codeine).

Check the labels on all your medicines (such as allergy or cough-and-cold products) because they may contain ingredients that cause drowsiness. Ask your pharmacist about using those products safely.

This medication may interfere with certain lab tests (such as gastric secretion test), possibly causing false test results. Make sure lab personnel and all your doctors know you use this drug.

This medication patch may be harmful if chewed or swallowed. If someone has overdosed, remove the patch if possible. For serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call 1-844-764-7669. Symptoms of overdose may include: severe drowsiness, mental/mood changes (confusion, hallucinations), fast/irregular heartbeat, seizures, hot/dry skin.

Do not share this medication with others.

If you forget to replace a patch at the scheduled time, replace it as soon as you remember. Do not use more than one patch at a time.

Store at room temperature. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.

HOW TO USE THIS INFORMATION: This is a summary and does NOT have all possible information about this product. This information does not assure that this product is safe, effective, or appropriate for you. This information is not individual medical advice and does not substitute for the advice of your health care professional. Always ask your health care professional for complete information about this product and your specific health needs.