Scopolamine transdermal patch side effects: A detailed guide

Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved scopolamine transdermal patch to prevent:

• nausea and vomiting caused by motion sickness
• nausea and vomiting after surgery

This article describes possible side effects of scopolamine transdermal patch. You can explore this overview article to learn more about scopolamine, including the drug’s uses, ways to save on cost, and more.

Scopolamine transdermal patch is a generic version of the brand-name drug Transderm Scop.

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More common side effects of scopolamine

Scopolamine transdermal patch may cause mild or serious side effects. Below are some of the more common side effects of this medication that occurred during its studies. Common side effects varied depending on the situation it was prescribed for.

More common side effects reported in people using scopolamine transdermal patch for nausea and vomiting due to motion sickness include:

• dry mouth*
• drowsiness (sleepiness)
• blurry vision*
• dilated pupils

More common side effects reported in people using scopolamine transdermal patch for nausea and vomiting after surgery include:

• dry mouth*
• dizziness
• drowsiness
• agitation
• vision problems

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of scopolamine in detail” section below.

Mild side effects of scopolamine

Scopolamine may cause certain mild side effects. Most often, mild side effects are temporary and can be easily managed. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have side effects that don’t go away or become bothersome.

Mild side effects of scopolamine transdermal patch that occurred in studies include:

• dry mouth*
• drowsiness
• blurry vision*
• dilated pupils
• dizziness
• vision problems
• sore throat
• mild allergic reaction*†

Scopolamine transdermal patch may cause more mild side effects than those listed above. For details, see the drug’s prescribing information.

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of scopolamine in detail” section below.
† An allergic reaction is possible with scopolamine transdermal patch. But it’s unclear whether it occurred in the drug’s studies.

Serious side effects of scopolamine

Scopolamine may cause certain serious side effects. If you have any serious side effects from scopolamine transdermal patch, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency or your side effects feel life threatening, take immediate action. Call 911 or a local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.

After the FDA approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Visit MedWatch’s website if you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with scopolamine.

Serious side effects of scopolamine transdermal patch that occurred in studies include:

• difficulty urinating
• psychosis*
• seizures in pregnant females† with preeclampsia
• problems with digestion, which can result in stomach pain, nausea, or vomiting
• withdrawal symptoms
• severe allergic reaction*‡

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of scopolamine in detail” section below.
† Sex and gender exist on spectrums. In this article, we use the term “female” to refer to a person’s sex assigned at birth.
‡ An allergic reaction is possible with scopolamine transdermal patch. But it’s unclear whether it occurred in the drug’s studies.

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Common questions about side effects of scopolamine

Here are answers to some common questions about side effects of scopolamine transdermal patch. If you have other questions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Will I experience certain side effects after I remove my scopolamine transdermal patch?

Possibly. Discontinuing the use of scopolamine transdermal patch can cause withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms are side effects that can occur when you stop taking a drug that your body has become dependent on.

These can include:

• problems with balance
• dizziness
• nausea
• vomiting
• stomach cramps
• sweating
• headache
• confusion
• muscle weakness
• slow heart rate
• low blood pressure

In studies of scopolamine, these side effects generally occurred 24 hours or more after removing the patch.

If you have more questions about this, talk with your doctor.

Is scopolamine safe for older adults?

Maybe. But older adults (people age 65 years and older) may be at greater risk of certain side effects from scopolamine transdermal patch. These include drowsiness, disorientation, confusion, hallucinations, dizziness, and withdrawal symptoms.

Due to this risk, doctors may monitor older adults more closely during treatment with scopolamine transdermal patch.

If you have more questions about the safety of scopolamine and your age, talk with your doctor.

Does scopolamine cause long-term side effects?

Long-term side effects aren’t expected with scopolamine transdermal patch. In studies, specific side effects weren’t seen in people who had taken the drug for a long time. Long lasting side effects after treatment ended also weren’t reported.

Talk with your doctor if you have more questions about possible long-term side effects of scopolamine.

Side effects of scopolamine in detail

Below you’ll find details on some of the side effects of scopolamine transdermal patch.

Dry mouth

Dry mouth was common in studies of people using scopolamine transdermal patch. This side effect is usually mild.

With dry mouth, you may experience a parched feeling in your mouth that can lead to bad breath, a dry throat, or difficulty swallowing.

Certain factors can increase the risk of dry mouth with scopolamine transdermal patch. These include:

• certain medications, such as some asthma, anxiety, and diarrhea medications
• certain medical conditions, such as diabetes and oral thrush
• dehydration
• radiation therapy
• smoking

Ways to manage

If you experience symptoms of dry mouth, tell your doctor. They may recommend home remedies or treatment for your symptoms, or they may adjust your medications.

Blurry vision

In studies, blurry vision was common in people using scopolamine transdermal patch. This side effect is usually mild. It occurs because scopolamine can cause your pupils to dilate temporarily if it comes in contact with your eyes. This may result in blurred vision.

With blurry vision, you can feel like your vision is clouded. Pupil dilation and blurry vision can affect one or both eyes.

Ways to manage

To reduce the risk of blurry vision, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after applying scopolamine transdermal patch. Blurry vision from scopolamine coming in contact with your eyes will typically go away on its own after a couple hours.

Psychosis

Scopolamine transdermal patch can cause new or worsening psychosis.

With psychosis, you can feel like you have lost contact with reality. Symptoms may include:

• confusion
• agitation
• rambling speech
• hallucinations
• paranoia
• delusions

Certain factors can increase the risk of psychosis with scopolamine transdermal patch. These include taking other drugs that cause similar side effects or having a history of psychosis.

Ways to manage

If you experience symptoms of psychosis, tell your doctor. They may recommend treatment for your symptoms. They’ll also determine whether you should stop using scopolamine transdermal patch.

Allergic reaction

For some people, scopolamine transdermal patch can cause an allergic reaction.

But it’s not clear whether this side effect occurred in the drug’s studies.

Symptoms can be mild or serious and may include:

• itchiness
• skin rash
• swelling under the skin, usually affecting eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
• swelling of the mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

Ways to manage

For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.

For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to scopolamine transdermal patch, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.

Warnings for scopolamine

Below are some factors you may want to discuss with your doctor before taking scopolamine transdermal patch.

Warnings

It may not be safe for you to take scopolamine transdermal patch if you have specific health conditions. These are sometimes called drug-condition interactions. Other things may also affect whether scopolamine transdermal patch is a safe treatment option for you.

Before taking scopolamine transdermal patch, tell your doctor about your health and medications you take. Things to consider include:

• glaucoma
• history of seizures or psychosis
• digestive problems
• difficulty urinating
• liver problems
• kidney problems
• past allergic reaction to scopolamine

Scopolamine and pregnancy

It’s not known whether scopolamine transdermal patch should be used during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before using this medication.

According to the drug’s prescribing information, use of scopolamine transdermal patch should be avoided in cases of pregnancy with severe preeclampsia due to risk of seizures.

Scopolamine and breastfeeding

Scopolamine transdermal patch should not be used while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before using this medication. Your doctor may recommend other ways to feed your child during treatment with scopolamine.

Scopolamine and alcohol

Scopolamine transdermal patch isn’t known to interact with alcohol.

But it isn’t recommended to drink alcohol with scopolamine transdermal patch. Mixing the two can increase the risk of serious side effects, such as extreme drowsiness, dizziness, or disorientation.

If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe to consume it during your treatment with scopolamine transdermal patch.

What to ask your doctor

This article describes common and serious side effects of scopolamine transdermal patch. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they can discuss possible side effects with you. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about treatment with this medication.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• Is my risk of psychosis highest when I first start treatment?
• Will my risk of blurry vision increase the longer I use scopolamine?
• How do the side effects of scopolamine transdermal patch compare with those of other drugs used to treat motion sickness?

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.