Scopolamine Side Effects

In Summary

Commonly reported side effects of scopolamine include: drowsiness and xerostomia. See below for a comprehensive list of adverse effects.

For the Consumer

Applies to scopolamine: transdermal patch extended release

Along with its needed effects, scopolamine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking scopolamine:

Incidence not known

• Blurred vision
• chest pain or discomfort
• difficulty with urinating
• dilation of the pupils
• dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up from a lying or sitting position suddenly
• eye pain
• flushing or redness of the skin
• mood or mental changes
• muscle weakness
• nausea or vomiting
• rash
• redness of the white part of the eyes
• restlessness
• seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there
• shortness of breath
• slow or irregular heartbeat
• sweating
• unusual tiredness
• unusually warm skin

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur while taking scopolamine:

Symptoms of overdose

• Anxiety
• blurred or loss of vision
• change in consciousness
• decrease in frequency of urination
• decrease in urine volume
• difficulty in passing urine (dribbling)
• disturbed color perception
• double vision
• dry mouth
• dry, flushed skin
• fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
• halos around lights
• headache
• hyperventilation
• irritability
• loss of consciousness
• nervousness
• night blindness
• overbright appearance of lights
• painful urination
• pounding in the ears
• seizures
• shaking
• sleepiness
• trouble with sleeping
• tunnel vision
• unusual drowsiness, dullness, tiredness, weakness, or feeling of sluggishness

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to scopolamine: compounding powder, injectable solution, oral tablet, transdermal film extended release

Cardiovascular

Common (1% to 10%): Tachycardia
Frequency not reported: Blood pressure decreased, flushing, bradycardia, palpitations, arrhythmias, fatal acute myocardial infarction, fatal cardiac arrest^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Very common (10% or more): Dry mouth (29%)
Frequency not reported: Vomiting^[Ref]

Nervous system

Recurrent classic migraine attacks developed in a 20-year-old naval crew member who had been treated continuously with transdermal scopolamine for 5 months. The initial attack occurred within 24 hours of diagnosis of scopolamine intoxication. The patient had no self or family history of migraines. The attacks, presenting with prodrome and aura, followed by severe throbbing left headache, nausea, photophobia and sonophobia lasting 6 to 8 hours, recurred every 10 to 14 days for more than a year. Common triggers of migraines and other precipitating factors could not be identified in this case.^[Ref]

Very common (10% or more): Dizziness (12.4%), somnolence
Rare (less than 0.1%): Memory impairment, disturbance in attention
Postmarketing reports: Headache, amnesia, coordination abnormalities, speech disorder, vertigo^[Ref]

Ocular

Very common (10% or more): Disturbances of visual accommodation (cycloplegia, including blurred vision, myopia, and mydriasis)
Common (1% to 10%): Visual impairment, eyelid irritation
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Pupillary dilatation which may precipitate acute glaucoma (particularly narrow angle glaucoma)
Frequency not reported: Photophobia, increased ocular pressure
Postmarketing reports: Dry eyes, eye pruritic, angle closure glaucoma, amblyopia, eyelid irritation^[Ref]

Genitourinary

Common (1% to 10%): Urinary retention
Postmarketing reports: Dysuria^[Ref]

Psychiatric

Common (1% to 10%): Agitation, confusion, hallucinations
Rare (less than 0.1%): Disorientation, restlessness, visual hallucinations
Postmarketing reports: Acute psychosis^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

Frequency not reported: Allergic reaction, anaphylactic reaction, hypersensitivity reactions, fatal anaphylactic shock^[Ref]

Dermatologic

Common (1% to 10%): Skin irritation
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Generalized rash
Frequency not reported: Dyshidrosis, skin dryness, rash
Postmarketing reports: Erythema^[Ref]

Local

Frequency not reported: Injection site pain
Postmarketing reports: Application site burning (patch)^[Ref]

Immunologic

Common (1% to 10%): Pharyngitis^[Ref]

Other

Frequency not reported: Hyperthermia at high temperatures due to decreased sweating^[Ref]

Metabolic

Frequency not reported: Thirst^[Ref]

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.

Medical Disclaimer