Transderm-Scop and Blurred Vision: What Users Say

• Kat...
• April 15, 2017

For Motion Sickness "My boyfriend has used this patch many times with success, but had slight side effects-mostly blurred vision. I tried it a couple of years ago for our cruise, and I had almost every side effect there is to have! I started off almost immediately having blurred vision, and my eyes became majorly sensitive to the sunlight. Then I started having a very dry throat (hard time swallowing food), dizziness, and my stomach would gurgle (it was weird). I took the patch off when one of the passengers said she got really sick from it. After I took it off, I was okay for about 24 hours, and then the real scare happened! I almost completely lost my vision, I could barely see straight and was very dizzy for weeks! This should NOT be on the market!"

• KDW...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 22, 2019

For Nausea/Vomiting "I had surgery a month ago, and the anesthesiologist prescribed a Scopolamine transdermal patch due to my issues with motion sickness. I never had any issues with nausea and vomiting, not right after surgery or the next several days afterward either. I didn't have any side effects while wearing the patch or once I took it off either. It worked wonderfully! The nurse who gave me my discharge instructions said I can leave the patch on for 3 days and also told me to be extremely careful when removing it. She told me to try to be super careful when peeling the patch off and do NOT touch your eyes until you can wash your hands really well TWICE. And to also wrap the patch in a Kleenex or napkin, then shove it way down deep into the garbage can. She said if the medication gets into the eyes, it'll dilate them and cause blurriness for 2-3 days. I took her instructions to heart and followed them closely."

• Anonymous
• October 10, 2011

For Motion Sickness "Wife used the patch, 2 or 3 of them, for an 8-day cruise. She had no sea sickness, but had bad withdrawals. 24 hrs after removing the patch, she has nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and blurred vision, absolutely miserable for her, and me too."

• B11...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 4, 2015

For Motion Sickness "Overall, this is great for preventing motion sickness. I used it for a 5-day cruise and I didn't get sick. I give this an 8 because it came with some pretty annoying side effects: severe cotton mouth, occasional drowsiness, and really blurred vision."

• spi...
• September 26, 2016

For Motion Sickness "While this medication did take away my travel sickness, I had blurred vision all week and now severe blurred vision 3 days after removing the patch, and I did wash my hands after applying each patch. I was extremely thirsty the entire week, extreme dry mouth. Approximately 24 hours after removing the patch, I felt so dizzy and severely nauseous for 2 days. I was vomiting the first of those 2 days. I should have heeded everyone's warnings about this toxic medication! I will never go near it again!"

• Fri...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 31, 2019

For Motion Sickness "I just used it for the first time. BE CAREFUL! I was on a cruise. I didn't get sick but had extreme blurred vision, dry mouth, and felt like I didn't have 'higher brain function.' I 'couldn't think.' I was like a zombie. I felt like I couldn't plan simple chains of thoughts, low motivation, and just did not feel like myself. Upon taking it off, I got nausea, my mind felt numb, fatigue, and I'm on day four of not feeling normal. It's sort of scary. I'm glad I didn't have to immediately go back to work because I seriously could not think straight. I think the cons outweigh the pros, and maybe next time I'll try a different product."

• Ton...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 23, 2013

For Motion Sickness "I was on small military ships for 5 years. Used Transderm Scop a lot. By far, it's the most effective seasickness medicine that I encountered; I tried a great deal of those other medicines. With all powerful meds, however, come serious side effects. The worst is that it made me feel generally weird and depressed - I cringe when I think of putting a patch on. It gave me dry mouth and a bad aftertaste. Lastly, it blurred my vision slightly. If you time it right (put it on 4 hours before the heavy seas), you'll be seasick-free. If you don't time it right (such as you exceed the 4-hour window because the heavy seas don't come right away), you'll still have positive results, though not as effective. With it, I could concentrate and work well in any sea state."

• May...
• January 14, 2019

For Nausea/Vomiting "I had been suffering extreme nausea and vomiting from vertigo. A friend of mine highly recommended this patch. I got one over the counter at the pharmacy. Put it in before bed, and when I woke up, my vision was so blurred that I couldn’t even read the time on my phone or stove. I couldn’t text, see the TV guide, or anything. Luckily, I had Siri on my iPhone activated, and she assisted me in calling for help. I unfortunately didn’t gain my full vision back until 36 hours later. One of the worst experiences I have been through, and I am not one to ever interact with anything. Will never take this again."

• Wak...
• January 4, 2017

For Motion Sickness "The first few times I used the patch, I thought it was a godsend. However, this last time I used it on a 6-hour flight, I began to have blurred vision, extreme dry mouth. The scariest side effect was hallucinations. I did not know who I was or where I was. Thank goodness I was not traveling alone. Dangerous. Will never use again!"

• Doo...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 29, 2015

For Motion Sickness "Used the patch for my first cruise as I normally suffer from motion sickness. I only got dry mouth and blurred vision, but most people think this is from the patch when in fact it's from your fingers after you have touched it or placed it. You must always wash your hands, as people do tend to scratch or touch their eyes and the medication is transferred. That was far more than a side effect via the application. I would never go on a cruise without it. Works a treat and can easily last for 4 days. I would highly recommend it."

• Mmc...
• June 24, 2016

For Motion Sickness "I have severe motion sickness with nausea and vomiting... room spinning... vertigo. I put the patch on 4 hours before my flight and cruise, it works excellent for me without the drowsiness, blurred vision, and dry mouth. It works differently on different people, but you won't know until you try it."

• Anonymous
• April 17, 2012

For Nausea/Vomiting "I was prescribed this medication to treat nausea and vomiting. The 1st day, I put the patch on as directed. For an hour after, I felt light-headed, then side effects went away. 2nd day, I noticed dryness in my throat/eyes/nose, however, I was finally able to hold down liquids but not food. 3rd day, when removed (same time I put it on), I noticed a welt where the patch was. Stopped use. 4th day, woke up to find the whites of my eyes were red, pupils dilated, painful, and blurred vision. Contacted the doctor who confirmed it was a side effect and to stop use."

• wor...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 25, 2012

For Motion Sickness "I have only used the patch for flying. I have severe chronic motion sickness. I start to get nausea while picking up my prescription for my flight. Usually, I combine a Valium or Xanax to ease the apprehension about possibly getting sick. If I don't take it early enough for my trip, it's likely that I'll vomit on the way to the airport, but after that I'm fine. Some of my problem is I self-induce my condition since I worry about it. I remove the patch as soon as I land, but I am wiped out for the rest of the day until I can sleep it off. Blurry vision lasts about a day and dry mouth about the same. Don't cut the patch in half for short trips... It will not work! I found out the hard way."

• Kel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 30, 2020

For Nausea/Vomiting "2 times I have used this patch, and both times have been a nightmare. Developed vertigo and had all of the side effects, such as blurred vision, dry mouth, and serious nauseousness and vomiting for 2 weeks. 2nd time developed Bell’s palsy and vomiting and nauseousness again. Will never use again. I followed the usage instructions exactly... still recovering."

• Anonymous
• August 31, 2010

For Motion Sickness "I've had terrible motion sickness, and nothing has worked until I used this medication. It worked perfectly the first few times. I took it every time I traveled in a plane. However, I've noticed the more I use the patch, the worse the side effects have become. After using the patch, I now experience extremely dry throat, eyes, nose, blurred vision, and even nausea. Although it has successfully kept me from becoming sick while traveling up until this point, I'm not sure if this effect will always hold true."

• cac...
• November 16, 2014

For Motion Sickness "Used the patch while on a trip overseas, where I would be on a boat and also being driven around. I get seasick and carsick. This worked well for the most part, but I had blurry vision and light sensitivity. I did have the patch fall off a few times while showering and replaced it right away. I used this for a 14-day trip. I stopped after the area became irritated on day 10, and the area is still slightly swollen."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 16, 2012

For Motion Sickness "Second time I have used, first was for a 3-day cruise this time for 5. I was OK while wearing it, but a few hours after I took it off, I got dizzy and very nauseated with blurred vision. Dramamine helped some. Next day I felt awful but ran a half marathon and ended up in urgent care because I was so nauseated after, and my arms were tingling. He gave me meclizine, which has helped some, but it's still going in 4 days later. Hoping it ends soon."

• Mz...
• February 7, 2016

For Nausea/Vomiting "My doctor prescribed this Transderm patch prior to an outpatient procedure. I was very careful and followed the instructions, making sure to wash my hands before and after placing the patch behind my ear. Only to wake up 10 hours later feeling so dizzy and nauseous. Worst of all was my vision. When I arrived at the hospital, my vision was so blurry I couldn't even read the paperwork I was signing, couldn't see the time on my cell phone, or read any messages. My pupils were very dilated, this lasted for 2 days. I'm on day 3, and my vision is back to normal, but upon doing too much, I'm still dizzy and nauseous. I always read thoroughly before I take anything, so I know I did NOT get this in my eyes by not doing as directed. Scary stuff!!"

• Sht...
• June 10, 2021

For Motion Sickness "I used the patch for 5 days before taking it off because it didn’t help nausea, and I was starting to get blurry vision. 2 days later, I was dealing with significantly worse nausea than I had when I was prescribed the drug, my vision was blurrier, I had a strong, painful sensitivity to light, and it felt like my eyes were burning. My doctor failed to disclose withdrawal and adverse side effects of the medication. I feared I was going blind, and I began forgetting things, feeling disoriented, and dizzy. Now it’s been a week since I stopped, and I haven’t been able to keep food down in 6 days. This may be a safe drug for most people—my reaction to this medication isn't common, but it’s an intense drug and can cause debilitating symptoms for weeks after using the patch for only days. Be sure you trust your prescribing doctor and that he or she discloses possible side effects and risk factors, because I assure you that you will prefer motion sickness over the withdrawal symptoms of this medication."

• Dee...
• December 29, 2015

For Nausea/Vomiting "Never take this drug! I was on a 7-day cruise and took the ear patch. At first, I had blurred vision, and after removing the patch off when the cruise was done, things went horrible. I had nausea, dizziness. Went to the doctor and was told I had vertigo and couldn't get back to work. I had to suffer because of the side effects of this patch. Not sure how the FDA approved this, this is a dangerous drug and should NEVER be prescribed."

• And...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 18, 2016

For Nausea/Vomiting "Long history of post-op nausea (PONV) here. Excellent care team applied the patch about an hour before surgery (along with IV Zofran) to stop the nausea. Really hoped it would help. The dizziness, blurred vision, and very dry mouth made me feel worse-dying of thirst. Drank too fast post-op and had some of the worst PONV ever. CRNA said to wear it for 3 days; I took it off after about 36 hours; my doctor switched me from oral promethazine (did not stay down) to meltable Zofran, which was much better. Hope it works better for others."