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scopolamine, Transderm-Scop

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GENERIC NAME: scopolamine

BRAND NAME: Transderm-Scop

DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Scopolamine is an oral, intravenous, ophthalmic or topical drug with many uses including the prevention of motion sickness. Transderm-Scop is scopolamine administered topically (through the skin or transdermal) via a special delivery system that gradually releases scopolamine onto the skin over a period of three days. The scopolamine is absorbed into the body through the skin. It is not clear how scopolamine prevents nausea and vomiting due to motion sickness. The vestibular part of the ear is very important for balance. When a person becomes disoriented due to motion, the vestibule sends a signal through nerves to the vomiting center in the brain, and vomiting occurs. Acetylcholine is a chemical that nerves use to transmit messages to each other. Scientists believe that scopolamine prevents communication between the nerves of the vestibule and the vomiting center in the brain by blocking the action of acetylcholine. Scopolamine also may work directly on the vomiting center. Scopolamine must be taken before the onset of motion sickness to be effective.

GENERIC AVAILABLE: No

PRESCRIPTION: Yes

PREPARATIONS: Disc (Patch): 1.5 mg

STORAGE: Store at room temperature 15-30°C (59-86°F).

PRESCRIBED FOR: Transderm-Scop is used for the prevention of nausea and vomiting resulting from motion sickness.

DOSING: The recommended adult dose is one disc every three days. The disc is applied to the hairless area behind the ear at least 4 hours before the effects are desired. If therapy is needed for more than three days, the first disc is discarded, and a second disc is applied behind the opposite ear. To prevent contact with eyes, the hands should be washed with soap and water after handling the patch.

DRUG INTERACTIONS: Alcohol and other drugs that cause drowsiness may worsen the drowsiness caused by scopolamine.

PREGNANCY: Use in pregnant women has not been adequately evaluated.

NURSING MOTHERS: It is not known whether scopolamine is excreted in breast milk.

SIDE EFFECTS: The most common side effects are drowsiness, dry mouth, blurred vision and dilation of pupils. Scopolamine may worsen narrow angle glaucoma, cause difficulty urinating and lead to dry, itchy eyes.

Some patches may cause burns of the skin if worn during and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan. Patients should tell their healthcare provider that they are using a medication patch prior to receiving and MRI scan.

Reference: FDA Prescribing Information

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