Atropine helps reduce the secretion of saliva and other body fluids before a surgery. This medicine may also be used to treat poisoning caused by pesticides and other chemicals.
It may also be used in emergency situations wherein the heart beats slowly.
Atropine may be used to treat other conditions as decided by your doctor.
Atropine may be given intravenously (into the vein), intramuscularly (into the muscle), or subcutaneously (into the fatty layer under the skin, usually in the thigh, upper arm or abdomen area).
Your doctor or nurse will administer this medicine for you.
Alert your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- closed-angle glaucoma (abnormally high pressure in the eye)
- heart block
- disorder of the food pipe
- muscle weakness of the bowel wall
- severe ulcerative colitis (inflammation of the large intestines)
- paralytic ileus (a condition where the bowel does not work properly)
- prostate enlargement
- bladder obstruction
- myasthenia gravis (muscle weakness disorder)
as Atropine may not be suitable for you.
Do not breastfeed while you are being treated with this medicine.
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- heart disease
- lung obstruction
- thyroid disease
- stomach or bowel problems e.g. hiatal hernia (a condition when part of the stomach extends through the diaphragm)
- fever
- liver disease
- kidney disease
Let your doctor know if you are pregnant.
Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving this medicine to a child.
If you are going for an operation, including minor surgery and dental work, inform your doctor or dentist that you have used or have been given Atropine.
Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly. Your doctor may need to do routine monitoring of your heart rate, blood pressure, pulse and mental status while you are being treated with this medicine.
Atropine may cause dizziness or blurred vision. If affected, do not drive or take part in any activity in which you need to be alert or need to see clearly.
Dry mouth is a common side effect of this medicine. If you experience severe dry mouth, take some sweets, mints or chewing gum to help reduce discomfort.
Atropine reduces the ability of your body to sweat. Avoid exposure to excessive sunlight or exercise which may cause your body to overheat as you are not able to sweat.
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- medicines for cold or allergy e.g. promethazine, phenylephrine
- stomach medicines e.g. cisapride, domperidone, metoclopramide
- medicines to treat depression e.g. amitriptyline, imipramine
- medicines for irregular or abnormal heartbeat e.g. mexiletine, disopyramide, quinidine
- medicines for mood disorders e.g. phenothiazine, haloperidol, clozapine
- potassium supplements (either as a medicine or a as a salt substitute)
- medicine for Parkinson's disease (a brain disease that affects movement) e.g. amantadine
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Atropine.
Always notify your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol.
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
Do not use this medicine if it becomes cloudy or if it has changed in colour. Do not freeze.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
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