Scopolamine
Treatment Guide

This treatment plan reviews the risks and benefits of the treatment we are recommending. Please make sure to read it and the manufacturer's pamphlet that comes with the medicine. The manufacturer's pamphlet contains full information on potential medication interactions, side effects, and other important information you should know about the medicine before you start.

Instructions

You have stated that you wish to obtain treatment with Scopolamine patches for treatment and prevention of motion sickness. Place one 1mg patch behind the ear for at least 4 hours, but preferably 12 hours before travel. Replace every 72 hours during your travel duration for prevention of motion sickness. Wash your hands before and after placing your patch behind your ear.

The best management for motion sickness is prevention as your treatment may not be as effective if you’re already experiencing motion sickness. Symptoms of motion sickness include:

• Dizziness
• Nausea or vomiting
• Belching
• Making more saliva than usual
• Warmth
• Sweating

Some additional recommendations that may help to relieve motion sickness include:

• Car: Riding in the front and driving if possible
• Plane: Choose a seat over the wing
• Bus/Train: Choose a forward facing seat
• General Tips: Look at the horizon or a distant stationary object. Avoid reading or using a screen while in a moving vehicle. Select seats where you feel the least motion.

If you have an upcoming MRI, do not use Scopolamine patches as they can increase the risk of skin burns. Contact your provider to discuss your Scopolamine use if an MRI is scheduled.

Allergies

This medicine, like all medications, may cause an allergic reaction if you are allergic to similar medicines or components. If you are allergic to any of the following please do not take the medicine and call or message us or see your doctor in person.

• Allergic reaction to Scopolamine in the past
• Allergies to Belladonna Alkaloids: Hyoscyamine, Atropine, Belladonna or deadly nightshade
  
  

Conditions

We have evaluated your health history and the specific health information you provided us, however if anything changes and you develop one of these conditions, please stop taking this medicine and call or message us immediately.

• Pregnancy
• Over age 65
• Bladder Neck Obstruction
• Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
• Cardiovascular disease
  • Coronary Artery Disease
  • Arrhythmias
  • Heart Failure
  • Uncontrolled High Blood Pressure
• Glaucoma
• History of Ileus or Bowel Obstruction
• Uncontrolled Hyperthyroidism
• Kidney Disease
• Liver Disease
• Myasthenia Gravis
• Parkinson’s Disease
• Medical history or diagnosis of Psychosis
• Seizure Disorders
• Ulcerative Colitis
• Urinary Retention
• Systemic Mastocytosis
  
  

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Scopolamine crosses the placenta. Patients with severe preeclampsia that use Scopolamine are at risk of eclamptic seizures. Available data from observational studies and postmarketing reports with scopolamine use in pregnant women have not identified a drug associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage, or adverse fetal outcomes.

Scopolamine is present in human milk. There are no available data on the effects of scopolamine on the breastfed infant or the effects on milk production. Scopolamine can reduce milk supply and may cause fetal constipation and dehydration, but rates are low. Because there have been no consistent reports of adverse events in breastfed infants over decades of use, the developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need.

Medicines, Supplements, and Foods

We have evaluated the specific health information you provided us, however if you are taking any of the medicines, foods, or supplements listed below call or message us before you take the medicine. Some of these can cause dangerous interactions with the medicine we are prescribing you and we will help you evaluate that risk and decide on an appropriate treatment plan. Please ensure your chart is up to date with your current medications, allergies, and medical conditions so your provider can safely treat you as this list may not be all inclusive.

• Belladonna alkaloids
  • Hyoscyamine
  • Atropine
  • Belladonna or deadly nightshade
    
    

Emergency Side Effects

This medicine can cause dangerous and potentially life-threatening side effects. If any of the emergency side effects listed in the manufacturer’s pamphlet or those below happen to you please stop taking the medicine and call 911 or seek immediate medical help in person.

• Sudden onset of chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Difficulty or painful swallowing
• Severe skin rash and/or itching
• Facial or throat swelling
• Blurred vision
• Severe bloody diarrhea
  
  

Risks

Accurate Information

We have evaluated your health history and your specific health information you provided and determined it is safe to proceed with this treatment at this time. If your health history changes including diagnoses or medications please message or call us before you take the medicine to ensure it's safe to proceed. Some medications and conditions can cause dangerous interactions with the medicine we are prescribing and we will help you evaluate that risk and decide on an appropriate treatment plan.

Treatment Failure

This treatment is not guaranteed to be effective. It may not work or may only partially resolve the condition for which you are seeking treatment. If the treatment is not working, or if you are experiencing new or worsening symptoms, give us a call or message us anytime. If it is an emergency, call 911 or seek immediate medical help in person. You may need to seek alternative treatment such as those listed below or in the follow up plan.

Misdiagnosis or Delayed Diagnosis.

Through telehealth, there is also a risk that we misdiagnose or fail to diagnose conditions that you may have which could affect our recommendation for treatment. This risk exists with a doctor in person as well but they may have additional resources to aid their evaluation. We use evidence-based practice and guidelines as well as clinical decision-making to minimize these risks.

Accepting or Declining Our Recommendation

We have based our recommendation on your specific case and medical guidelines, but there may be alternative treatments or strategies that may be helpful to you. Some may be more or less effective than what we provide. Some treatments may require an in-person exam or procedure which we can’t provide. Message us or talk to your doctor in person to discuss alternative treatments.

Share with Your In-Person Healthcare Team

You can access your records anytime. We strongly recommend that you update your in-person doctor, pharmacist, and the rest of your healthcare team to let them know about any new medicines you are taking or other changes in your health.

You can also ask us questions anytime and we are happy to help you share any information about your health with your in-person healthcare team.