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What Is Scopolamine?

Scopolamine is an anticholinergic medication used to prevent nausea and vomiting associated with motion sickness and recovery from surgery. In the United States, a prescription transdermal patch delivers scopolamine through the skin over approximately three days. Scopolamine is also known as hyoscine in some countries. It acts on muscarinic receptors involved in balance-related and nausea-related nerve signaling. The patch is applied behind one ear before exposure to the anticipated trigger. Scopolamine can cause dry mouth, drowsiness, blurred vision, and other anticholinergic effects. It is contraindicated in patients with angle-closure glaucoma.

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What Is Scopolamine?

Scopolamine is an anticholinergic medication used to prevent nausea and vomiting associated with motion sickness and recovery from surgery. In the United States, a prescription transdermal patch delivers scopolamine through the skin over approximately three days. Scopolamine is also known as hyoscine in some countries. It acts on muscarinic receptors involved in balance-related and nausea-related nerve signaling. The patch is applied behind one ear before exposure to the anticipated trigger. Scopolamine can cause dry mouth, drowsiness, blurred vision, and other anticholinergic effects. It is contraindicated in patients with angle-closure glaucoma.

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How Does Scopolamine Work?

Scopolamine blocks muscarinic acetylcholine receptors in the central nervous system and other tissues. Acetylcholine participates in signaling between the vestibular system, which helps maintain balance, and brain regions involved in nausea and vomiting. Blocking these signals can reduce the likelihood of motion sickness. Scopolamine also interferes with pathways that contribute to postoperative nausea and vomiting. The transdermal patch releases medication gradually through the skin, producing effects over several days. Because scopolamine acts on muscarinic receptors throughout the body, it can reduce saliva production, dilate pupils, affect urination, and impair alertness.

What Conditions Does Scopolamine Prevent?

Scopolamine transdermal patches are approved for preventing nausea and vomiting associated with motion sickness in adults. They are also approved for preventing postoperative nausea and vomiting related to anesthesia, opioid pain medications, or surgery. The medication is intended for prevention and must be applied before symptoms are expected. It is not approved as a general treatment for every cause of nausea or dizziness. Patients with angle-closure glaucoma should not use scopolamine patches. Healthcare professionals also consider gastrointestinal obstruction, urinary problems, seizure history, cognitive conditions, pregnancy, and other medications before prescribing the patch.

How Should Scopolamine Be Used?

Scopolamine transdermal patches are applied to clean, dry, hairless skin behind one ear. Each patch delivers approximately 1 mg over three days. For motion sickness prevention, apply one patch at least four hours before the anticipated exposure and replace it after three days if continued treatment is necessary. For most surgeries other than cesarean section, apply one patch the evening before surgery and remove it 24 hours after surgery. Only one patch should be worn at a time, and patches must not be cut. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water immediately after application or removal to prevent transfer into the eyes. Used patches should be folded together and discarded safely.

What Are the Side Effects and Warnings of Scopolamine?

Common adverse effects include dry mouth, dizziness, sleepiness, blurred vision, and dilated pupils. Scopolamine can trigger acute angle-closure glaucoma, particularly in susceptible patients, and is contraindicated in people with angle-closure glaucoma. Other serious concerns include hallucinations, confusion, seizures, urinary retention, impaired sweating, and dangerously elevated body temperature. Withdrawal symptoms, including dizziness, nausea, headache, and balance disturbances, can occur after patch removal. Accidental transfer of medication from the hands into an eye may cause temporary pupil dilation and visual disturbances. Sudden eye pain, redness, halos around lights, severe confusion, or difficulty urinating requires prompt medical evaluation.

Common Questions About Scopolamine

How long does a scopolamine patch last?

A scopolamine patch delivers medication for approximately three days. The schedule for postoperative nausea prevention may require earlier removal.

Can scopolamine cause blurry vision?

Yes. Scopolamine can dilate the pupils and cause blurred vision, especially if medication is accidentally transferred into the eyes.

Can contact lens wearers use scopolamine patches?

Contact lens wearers should wash their hands thoroughly after handling the patch and before touching their lenses. Accidental eye exposure can cause pupil dilation and blurred vision.

Can scopolamine be used with glaucoma?

Scopolamine patches are contraindicated in angle-closure glaucoma. Patients with open-angle glaucoma require appropriate monitoring and medical guidance.

References

DailyMed - TRANSDERM SCOP (scopolamine) transdermal system. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/getFile.cfm?setid=b877a694-a1d0-4280-937a-a06820b12a88. Date Accessed November 6, 2026.

Scopolamine. LiverTox. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK548835/. Date Accessed November 6, 2026.

Scopolamine. PubChem. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Scopolamine. Date Accessed November 6, 2026.

Scopolamine. StatPearls. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK554397/. Date Accessed November 6, 2026.

Scopolamine Transdermal Patch. MedlinePlus. https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682509.html. Date Accessed November 6, 2026.