Scopolamine Side Effects
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jan 25, 2020.
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]
References
1. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information." O 0
2. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics." O 0
3. Therapeutic Goods Administration "Medicines Safety Update, Volume 8 Number 4, August-September 2017 Available from: URL: https://www.tga.gov.au/publication-issue/medicines-safety-update-volume-8-number-4-august-september-2017" ([2017, Sep 13]):
4. Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency "Hyoscine butylbromide (Buscopan) injection: risk of serious adverse effects in patients with underlying cardiac disease. Available from: URL: https://www.gov.uk/drug-safety-update/hyoscine-butylbromide-buscopan-injection-risk-of-serious-adverse-effects-in" ([2017, Apr 03]):
5. "Product Information. Scopolamine (scopolamine (hyoscine (scopolamine)))." Perrigo, L. Company, Allegan, MI.
6. "Product Information. Transderm-Scop (scopolamine (hyoscine (scopolamine)))." Sandoz Inc, Broomfield, CO.
More about scopolamine
- During Pregnancy or Breastfeeding
- Dosage Information
- Drug Interactions
- Pricing & Coupons
- En Español
- 179 Reviews
- Drug class: anticholinergic antiemetics
Consumer resources
- Other brands
- Transderm-Scop
Professional resources
Related treatment guides
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.