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Atropine

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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 effectsConcernsUsage

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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

In conditions like bradyarrhythmia, this medicine is used to increase the heart rate and the cardiac output.

Pre-anesthetic medication

Atropine is used as a pre-anesthetic medicine before surgeries to decrease bronchial secretions and excessive salivation.

Organophosphate Poisoning

This medicine acts as an antidote in the treatment of organophosphate poisoning.

Radiographic Examinaton

Atropine is used during some radiographic examination procedures to relax the upper gastrointestinal tract and the colon.

Rhinorrhea

This medicine is used to relieve the symptoms or rhinorrhea (a runny nose) caused by allergies or a common cold.
Concerns

Commonly asked questions

  • Onset of action

    The effect of the medicine can be seen within 1 hour of administration.

  • Duration of effect

    Atropine 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.
This is not an exhaustive list of possible drug interactions. You should consult your doctor about all the possible interactions of the drugs you’re taking.
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

Usage does not depend on food timings

To be taken as instructed by doctor

May cause sleepiness

How it works

This medicine works by blocking the effects of a certain specific chemical (acetylcholine) in various parts of the body.

Legal Status

Approved

Approved

Approved

Approved

Classification

Category

Anticholinergics, Chronotropic agents, Antidotes, and Antispasmodics.

Schedule

Schedule H

Atropine - DrugBank [Internet]. Drugbank.ca. 2017 [cited 21 July 2017]. Available from:

https://www.drugbank.ca/drugs/DB00572

DailyMed - ATROPINE SULFATE- atropine sulfate injection [Internet]. Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2017 [cited 21 July 2017]. Available from:

https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=5d45eb2f-b964-4f64-b277-eef807520466

Prescribing medicines in pregnancy database [Internet]. Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). 2017 [cited 21 July 2017]. Available from:

http://www.tga.gov.au/prescribing-medicines-pregnancy-database

[Internet]. 2017 [cited 21 July 2017]. Available from:

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/4963

TOXNET [Internet]. Toxnet.nlm.nih.gov. 2017 [cited 27 July 2017]. Available from:

https://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/search2/f?./temp/~N1EeHL:1
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Information on this page was last updated on 28 Jul 2017

Disclaimer

We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.