Scopolamine

About Scopolamine

Scopolamine is an anticholinergic medicine. Each patch holds 1.3 mg and releases about 1 mg into the bloodstream over three days. It is approved only for adults, to prevent the nausea and vomiting of motion sickness and of recovery from anesthesia, opioid pain relief and surgery. For motion sickness, one patch goes on the hairless skin behind one ear at least 4 hours before the effect is needed and can stay on for up to three days; if it is needed for longer, the first patch comes off and a new one goes behind the other ear. For surgery other than a cesarean section, the patch goes on the evening before and comes off 24 hours after the operation. Only one patch is worn at a time, and it is never cut.

It must not be used with angle-closure glaucoma or after an allergic reaction to scopolamine or other belladonna alkaloids. Eye pain or discomfort, blurred vision, or halos or colored images with red eyes mean removing the patch and calling the prescriber, and open-angle glaucoma needs eye pressure checks. In June 2025 the FDA added a warning about hyperthermia: the patch can raise body temperature and cause heat-related complications, some fatal, with most reported cases in children and in adults 60 and older, and hot weather or heat sources such as heated blankets can make it worse. The patch comes off if body temperature rises or sweating stops in warm conditions, and symptoms can persist after removal. It can also cause confusion, agitation, hallucinations and paranoia, and can worsen psychosis; seizures have been reported. Dry mouth is the most common side effect, and drowsiness, dizziness, blurred vision and wide pupils also occur, so driving waits until its effects are known.

Scopolamine on the fingers can widen the pupil and blur vision if it reaches an eye, so hands are washed after applying or removing a patch. The patch has an aluminum layer that has burned the skin during MRI scans, so it is taken off before one. It can make urination difficult and slow the gut, and it is avoided in severe preeclampsia. After several days of wear, removing it can bring dizziness, poor balance, nausea, vomiting, cramps, sweating, headache, confusion, weakness, a slow pulse or low blood pressure, usually starting 24 hours or more later. Older adults are more prone to its effects on thinking and to overheating.

Taking Scopolamine

How to take it

Wipe the hairless skin behind one ear clean and dry, peel off the clear plastic backing without touching the sticky side, press the patch firmly on, then wash your hands with soap and water. Avoid touching or pressing on it while you wear it, and limit time in water, since it may come off. To remove it, fold it in half with the sticky sides together, throw it away out of reach of children and pets, and wash your hands and the skin behind the ear.

If you miss a dose

If a patch falls off, throw it away and put a new one on the hairless skin behind the other ear. Never wear more than one patch at a time. If you forgot to apply it on time, ask the prescriber or pharmacist what to do.

Storage

At room temperature, upright in the sealed foil pouches, which should not be bent or rolled, out of reach of children and pets.

Interactions to know about

Alcohol, sedatives, sleep medicines, opioids and anxiety medicines add to drowsiness, and other anticholinergic medicines, including sedating antihistamines, meclizine, tricyclic antidepressants and muscle relaxants, add to its side effects. By slowing the gut, it can change how fast swallowed medicines are absorbed, and it is stopped 10 days before a test of stomach acid secretion. Avoid heat sources such as heated blankets while wearing it.

This summarizes the official prescribing information. Your prescriber’s and pharmacist’s instructions, and the leaflet that comes with your medicine, take priority.

Why the cash price for Scopolamine differs from pharmacy to pharmacy

A prescription for one trip or one operation may be for only a few patches, so the dispensing fee can be a large part of a small fill. Several companies make generic patches that a pharmacist can substitute for Transderm Scop, and a pharmacy that does not keep patches in stock may need to order them. A prescription that names the brand and blocks substitution is priced as a brand.

Ways to pay less for Scopolamine without insurance

• Ask for a generic patch rated equivalent to Transderm Scop, and make sure the prescription allows substitution.
• Ask the prescriber to match the number of patches to the length of the trip, since one patch lasts up to three days.
• Confirm the pharmacy has patches in stock a few days before you travel, and compare more than one quote.
• Upload the prescription to Script Unlock so licensed pharmacies can quote their cash price. You pay the pharmacy directly.

Questions to ask your pharmacist about Scopolamine

1. 1.When should I put the patch on before my trip or surgery, and when do I take it off?
2. 2.What should I do if the patch falls off while swimming or bathing?
3. 3.Is it safe with my glaucoma, prostate or bladder problems?
4. 4.Which of my allergy, sleep or anxiety medicines add to its effects?

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