Details

Atropine produces many effects in the body, including relief from spasms of the gastrointestinal tract (stomach and intestines), the bladder, and the biliary tract. This is helpful in controlling conditions such as colitis, spastic bladder, diverticulitis, infant colic, renal and biliary colic, peptic ulcer, and irritable bowel syndrome. Atropine also reduces the secretions of many organs, thereby helping to control conditions such as excessive stomach acid production and excessive secretion from the pancreas to reduce secretions of the nose, lungs, salivary glands, and stomach before surgery and to help dry up excessive mucus production associated with diseases, infections, and allergies. Atropine is used to treat the rigidity, tremor, excessive salivation, and sweating caused by Parkinson's disease.

Typical Uses

Atropine is a drug that can be used to treat many medical conditions, including excessive mucus production, excessive saliva production, spasms of the gastrointestinal tract, bladder, and biliary tract, colitis, diverticulitis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), excessive stomach and acid production, peptic ulcers, spastic bladder, infant colic, renal and biliary colic, Parkinson’s disease, certain heart disorders, laughing and crying episodes caused by brain tumours, poisoning caused by organophosphate insecticides and nerve gases. Atropine is also given during certain heart procedures and to help reduce secretions of the nose, lungs, salivary glands, and stomach before surgery.

Side Effects

Common and serious side effects of atropine include headache, dizziness or light-headedness, weakness or nervousness, blurred vision, large pupils, or sensitivity to bright light, nausea, bloating, heartburn, or constipation, difficulty urinating, changes in taste, nasal congestion or stuffiness, dry mouth, decreased sweating, an irregular or fast heart rate, rash or flushing, eye pain, fever, irritability or mental confusion, difficulty urinating, an allergic reaction, which may include swelling of the lips, tongue, or face, hives, or difficulty breathing.

Drug Interactions

• Atropine+potassium- Talk to your doctor before using potassium oral tablets or capsules together with atropine. Depending on the dose of atropine and your overall physical health, combining these medications may increase the irritant effects of potassium on your stomach and upper intestine.

• Atropine+topiramate- Topiramate can cause increased body temperature and decreased sweating, and these effects may be worsened when combined with medications like atropine. Heat stroke and hospitalization may occur in some people, especially in warm weather and during vigorous exercise. Children are particularly susceptible.

• Atropine+zonisamide- Zonisamide can cause increased body temperature and decreased sweating, and these effects may be worsened when combined with medications like atropine. Heat stroke and hospitalization may occur in some people, especially in warm weather and during vigorous exercise. Children are particularly susceptible.

Mechanism of action

Atropine belongs to a class of medications known as anticholinergics or antimuscarinics. Atropine occurs naturally and is extracted from the belladonna alkaloid plant. Atropine works by blocking the actions of a chemical called acetylcholine. Atropine has numerous uses in clinical medicine and is available in several dosage forms including oral tablet, solution for injection, ophthalmic solution, and ophthalmic ointment.

Pregnancy Category : C