Scopolamine Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jan 25, 2020.

• Consumer
• Professional

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

Side effects requiring immediate medical attention

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:

More common

• Agitation

Less common

• Bigger, dilated, or enlarged pupils (black part of the eye)
• blurred vision or other changes in vision
• confusion
• increased sensitivity of the eyes to light

Incidence not known

• Burning feeling while urinating
• delusions of persecution, mistrust, suspiciousness, or combativeness
• difficulty in speaking
• disturbance in attention
• dry, itchy eyes
• eyelid irritation
• headache
• loss of memory
• poor coordination
• problems with memory
• restlessness
• seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there

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
• deep or fast breathing with dizziness
• 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
• irritability
• loss of consciousness
• nervousness
• night blindness
• numbness of the feet, hands, and around the mouth
• 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

Side effects not requiring immediate medical attention

Some side effects of scopolamine may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

• Dizziness
• dry mouth
• sleepiness or unusual drowsiness

Less common

• Body aches or pain
• congestion
• cough
• dryness or soreness of the throat
• fever
• hoarseness
• runny nose
• tender, swollen glands in the neck
• trouble in swallowing
• voice changes

More common

• Burning feeling at the application site
• feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
• itching, skin rash
• lightheadedness
• sensation of spinning

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

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]

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]

Genitourinary

Common (1% to 10%): Urinary retention

Postmarketing reports: Dysuria^[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]

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