Atropine – What is it for, how to take it and side effects
Atropine is a drug that can be used to treat many medical conditions, including:
- Excessive mucus production
- Excessive production of saliva
- Spasms of the gastrointestinal tract, bladder, and biliary tract
- Colitis
- diverticulitis
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
- Overproduction of stomach and acid
- peptic ulcers
- spastic bladder
- infantile colic
- Renal and biliary colic
- Parkinson disease
- Certain heart disorders
- Episodes of laughing and crying caused by brain tumors
- Poisoning caused by organophosphate insecticides and nerve gases
The drug is also given during certain cardiac procedures and to help reduce secretions from the nose, lung, salivary glands, and stomach before surgery. Atropine is in a class of drugs known as anticholinergics . This works by blocking the actions of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that helps move electrical impulses between nerve cells.
Pregnancy and Atropine: It is not known whether atropine can harm an unborn baby.
- Do not take this medicine if you are pregnant without talking to a doctor first.
- Also, do not take the drug if you are breast-feeding without first telling your doctor.
- It is not known whether atropine passes into breast milk or whether it could harm an infant.
How to Use Atropine: Take this medication orally with a glass of water. Follow the instructions on the leaflet. Take your medicine at regular intervals. Do not take your meds more often than directed. Talk to your pediatrician about using this medication in children. While this medication may be prescribed to children for selected conditions, precautions apply.
Atropine Dosage: Atropine is given as an injection, taken by mouth, or given into the eye with a dropper.
- Your dose will depend on your medical condition.
- Follow your doctor’s instructions carefully when taking atropine . Do not take more or less of the drug than prescribed.
- If you are using the dropper, wash your hands before and after use.
- If you are using the oral form of , take it with a full glass of water.
Atropine overdose: If you suspect an overdose, contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately.
Atropine side effects: Side effects you should report to your doctor or healthcare professional as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions such as a rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips or tongue
- Anxiety , nervousness
- Breathing problems
- change of vision
- Confusion
- Fast or slow heartbeat
- Feeling weak or scared, falling
- hallucinations
- Memory loss
- Pain or difficulty urinating
- Redness, blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth
- slurred speech
- Unusually weak or tired
- vomit
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (let your doctor or healthcare professional know if they continue or are bothersome):