Atropine
Description
Atropine is an anticholinergic medicine which is used to decrease the production of saliva and other fluid secretions during surgery. It is also used to treat spasms or cramps in the stomach, intestines, and other organs of the body. It acts as an antidote for poisoning by certain insecticides. This medicine should be used with caution in patients above 40 years of age.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Atropine
- Dry mouth
- Blurred vision
- Dry eyes
- Increased heartbeat
- Loss of taste
- Difficulty in breathing
- Restlessness
- Drowsiness
Uses of Atropine
What is it prescribed for?
- Bradyarrhythmia
- Pre-anesthetic medication
- Organophosphate Poisoning
- Radiographic Examinaton
- Rhinorrhea
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe effect of the medicine can be seen within 1 hour of administration.
- Duration of effectAtropine remains active in the body up to 4 hours after administration.
- Safe with alcohol?It is recommended not to consume alcohol while taking this medicine due to the increased risk of drowsiness and dizziness. It is advised that you do not perform any activities that require high mental alertness like driving a vehicle or operating machinery if you consume alcohol while taking this medicine. Report any incidence of breathing difficulty or dizziness to the doctor immediately.
- Is it habit forming?No habit forming tendency has been reported.
- Usage in pregnancy?This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless necessary. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine.
- Usage while breast-feeding?This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless necessary. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine.
Allergy
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a known allergy to atropine or any other anticholinergic medicines.
Narrow angle glaucoma
It is advised not to use this medicine in patients with a known history ofNarrow-angle glaucoma due to the increased risk of side effects such as blurred vision.
Pyloric stenosis
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a known history of Pyloric stenosis since it may worsen the condition.
Tachycardia
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with a known history of tachycardia and unstable heart rate. The use of Atropine may increase the risk of a very high heart rate.
Prostatic hypertrophy
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a known history of prostatic hypertrophy (enlarged prostate) since it may worsen the condition.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless necessary. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine.
Breast-feeding
This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless necessary. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine.
General warnings
Parenteral use
Atropine injection therapy should be administered only in the presence of a trained healthcare professional.
Heat intolerance
Atropine increases the risk of heat intolerance at high temperatures. Consult the doctor if you experience any undesired effects while taking this medicine.
Gastric ulcer
This medicine has been shown to worsen the condition of gastric ulcer due to delayed gastric emptying. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor before taking this medicine. Replacement with a suitable alternative might be required based on the clinical condition.
Missed Dose
If a dose of Atropine is missed, take the dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost the time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose. Do not double the dose to make up for the missed one.
Overdose
Seek emergency medical treatment or contact the doctor in case of an overdose.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
N/A
Instructions
It is recommended not to consume alcohol while taking this medicine due to the increased risk of drowsiness and dizziness. It is advised that you do not perform any activities that require high mental alertness like driving a vehicle or operating machinery if you consume alcohol while taking this medicine. Report any incidence of breathing difficulty or dizziness to the doctor immediately.
Interaction with Medicine
Amitriptyline
Clozapine
Metoclopramide
Topiramate
Ipratropium
Dicyclomine
Zonisamide
Disease interactions
Myasthenia Gravis
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a history of myasthenia gravis since it may interact with the medicines given for myasthenia gravis and cause worsening of the condition. Your doctor will prescribe an alternative medicine based on your clinical condition.
Ulcerative colitis
This medicine should be used with extreme caution in patients with a known history of ulcerative colitis since it may cause worsening of the condition. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative should be done under your doctor's supervision.
Hypertension
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with a known history of hypertension due to the increased risk of very high blood pressure. Close monitoring of blood pressure is advised while using this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative should be done under your doctor's supervision.
Coronary Artery Disease
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with a known history heart diseases since it may cause worsening of the condition in rare cases. Close monitoring of heart function may be required in patients with heart diseases. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative should be done under your doctor's supervision.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Do not use Atropine for any conditions other than those specified by the doctor. Report to the doctor all your medical conditions and current medicines before taking this medication. Report any undesired effects or lack of improvement to the doctor on priority.
Miscelleneous
How it works
This medicine works by blocking the effects of a certain specific chemical (acetylcholine) in various parts of the body.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Anticholinergics, Chronotropic agents, Antidotes, and Antispasmodics.
Schedule
Schedule H
Atropine - DrugBank [Internet]. Drugbank.ca. 2017 [cited 21 July 2017]. Available from:
DailyMed - ATROPINE SULFATE- atropine sulfate injection [Internet]. Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2017 [cited 21 July 2017]. Available from:
Prescribing medicines in pregnancy database [Internet]. Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). 2017 [cited 21 July 2017]. Available from:
[Internet]. 2017 [cited 21 July 2017]. Available from:
TOXNET [Internet]. Toxnet.nlm.nih.gov. 2017 [cited 27 July 2017]. Available from:
Information on this page was last updated on 28 Jul 2017
Disclaimer
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