What is Scopolamine? Uses, warnings & side effects

Follow all the instructions given by the prescriber and included with the patch.

Wear only one patch at a time.

A healthcare provider will tell you where to apply the patch and how often to use.

To prevent nausea and vomiting before surgery, follow the prescriber’s instructions about when to put the patch on the night before surgery.

For motion sickness, put on the patch at least four hours before it’s needed.

How to apply a scopolamine patch:

• Leave the patch in its sealed wrapper until you are ready to put it on. 

• Select a hairless area of skin behind the ears.

• Do not put the patch on skin that is cut or tender.

• Clean and dry the skin.

• Take the liner off the sticky, metallic side of the patch.

• Do not touch the metallic, sticky surface of the patch.

• Place the metallic, sticky surface of the patch to the skin with the tan side of the patch facing outwards.

• Remove the remaining lining on top of the tan surface.

• Wash your hands with soap and water.

• Do not touch the patch again until you are ready to remove it. You may squeeze some of the medicine out of the patch.

• Limit contact with water while swimming and bathing because the patch may fall off. If the patch is loose or falls off, throw it away and apply a new patch behind the other ear.

For postoperative nausea and vomiting, remove the patch 24 hours after it was applied.

For motion sickness, the patch can remain in place for up to three days after it was put on.

After you take off the patch, wash the skin area where the patch was placed.

Fold the used patch in half with the sticky sides together. Throw the used patch away so that children or pets cannot get to it. 

Store scopolamine patches at room temperature in an upright position. Do not bend or roll up the patches.

If you forget to wear or change a patch, put one on as soon as you can. 

Do not use more than one patch at a time.

This medicine is not right for everyone. 

Do not use it if you have had an allergic reaction to scopolamine or other similar drugs called belladonna alkaloids. 

Scopolamine is also contraindicated in anyone with angle closure glaucoma.

Tell any doctor or other healthcare professional who treats you if you’re wearing scopolamine patches. 

The prescriber may want to check on your progress. Keep all appointments.

Tell the prescribing doctor if you are breastfeeding, pregnant, or have:

• Kidney disease

• Liver disease

• Glaucoma

• Problems urinating or completely voiding your bladder

• Bowel blockage

• A history of mental health issues

• Myasthenia gravis

Scopolamine transdermal system can cause serious side effects including:

• Eclamptic seizures, a serious complication of pre-eclampsia

• Worsening of psychosis and other psychiatric symptoms

• Elevated eye pressure and glaucoma

• Urinary retention

• Blurry vision or visual impairment

This medicine may make you drowsy, confused, or disoriented. Do not drive, operate heavy machinery, or engage in other hazardous activities, such as underwater sports, until you’re certain that the scopolamine patch is not causing impairment.

Pregnant women experiencing pre-eclampsia should stop using scopolamine patches and talk to a healthcare provider. Scopolamine could cause eclamptic seizures in women with severe pre-eclampsia.

If any scopolamine gets on the eyes, it could dilate the pupils and affect vision. Always wash your hands after handling or touching the scopolamine patch.

Remove the scopolamine patch before any MRI procedure. The patch could burn the skin during an MRI.

Scopolamine patches could cause withdrawal symptoms about 24 hours after a patch is removed. Symptoms include balance problems, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, headache, confusion, sweating, and low blood pressure. Call a doctor if withdrawal symptoms are severe.

To avoid possible drug interactions, tell the prescriber about all the prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, supplements, and herbal remedies you take, particularly:

• Other anticholinergic drugs 

• Drugs that cause drowsiness or disorientation such as narcotic pain relievers, sedating antihistamines, sleeping pills, anxiety drugs, tricyclic antidepressants, muscle relaxants, or benzodiazepines

Avoid alcohol when wearing a scopolamine patch. Drinking may worsen side effects such as sleepiness and confusion.

Tell other healthcare professionals that you are using scopolamine patches before they prescribe new medications.