Atropine sulfate
Consumer Medicine Information
What is in this leaflet
This leaflet answers some of the common questions people ask about Atropine Sulfate Injection BP. It does not contain all the information that is known about atropine sulfate.
It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.
All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor will have weighed the risks of you taking Atropine Sulfate Injection BP against the benefits they expect it will have for you.
If you have any concerns about taking this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Keep this leaflet.
You may need to read it again.
What Atropine Sulfate Injection BP is for
Atropine Sulfate Injection BP is most commonly used to reduce body secretions such as saliva, during surgery.
Atropine Sulfate Injection BP can also be used as an antidote for certain types of poisons. It is also sometimes used because of its actions on the heart.
After surgery, it is used to reverse the effects of medicines given to you to stop your muscles moving during the operation.
Atropine Sulfate Injection BP works by stopping some of the actions of a naturally occurring substance called acetylcholine.
Your doctor will have explained why you are being treated with Atropine Sulfate Injection BP.
Follow all directions given to you by your doctor carefully.
They may differ from the information contained in this leaflet.
Your doctor may prescribe this medicine for another use. Ask your doctor if you want more information.
Atropine sulfate is not addictive.
Before you are given Atropine Sulfate Injection BP
You may already have been given Atropine Sulfate Injection BP. Your doctor will have considered the situation carefully and decided to use it. However, if any of the following applies to you, tell your doctor immediately.
When you must not use it
You must not be given Atropine Sulfate Injection BP if you have an allergy to:
- atropine or any other similar medicines such as hyoscyamine, hyoscine or belladonna
- the other ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet.
If you have an allergic reaction, you may get a skin rash, hayfever, difficulty breathing, swelling of the lips, face or mouth, or feel faint.
You should not be given Atropine Injection Sulfate BP if you have or have had the following medical conditions:
- severe bowel disease such as severe ulcerative colitis, megacolon complicating ulcerative colitis or blockage of the bowel
- severe heartburn (reflux oesophagitis)
- enlarged prostate
- blockage of the urinary tract
- acute closed-angle glaucoma (increased pressure in the eye)
- myasthenia gravis (severe muscle weakness)
- severe heart disease
- high blood pressure during pregnancy (toxaemia)
- overactive thyroid gland (thyrotoxicosis)
- fever.
Do not use Atropine Sulfate Injection BP if you are pregnant or breastfeeding unless your doctor says to do so. Ask your doctor about the risks and benefits involved.
Your baby may absorb atropine sulfate in the womb, or from breast milk.
Atropine Sulfate Injection BP will only be used if the solution is clear, the package is undamaged and the use by (expiry) date marked on the pack has not been passed.
Before you start to use it
You must tell your doctor if:
- you have any allergies to
- any other medicines
- any other substances, such as foods, preservatives or dyes.
- you have any of these medical conditions
- bowel or stomach problems, such as diarrhoea, inflammation, blockage, infection, hernia, gastric ulcer, heartburn or reflux
- kidney problems or trouble urinating
- liver problems
- glaucoma (increased pressure in the eye)
- prostate problems
- thyroid problems
- heart disease or history of a heart attack
- high blood pressure or fast heart beat
- lung disease
- brain damage, spastic paralysis or mental confusion
- Down’s syndrome or albinism.
It may not be safe for you to be given Atropine Sulfate Injection BP if you have any of these conditions.
Taking other medicines
Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, including medicines that you buy at the chemist, supermarket or health food shop.
Some medicines and atropine sulphate may interfere with each other. These include:
- some drugs used to treat depression, including tricyclic antidepressants and MAO inhibitors
- some antihistamines, including cyproheptadine, and promethazine
- some strong pain-killers such as codeine
- drugs for Parkinson’s disease, such as amantadine
- some drugs for mental illness, such as haloperidol, chlorpromazine and fluphenazine
- some drugs used for treating bowel problems and muscle spasms or cramps (antispasmodics)
- some medicines to treat irregular heart beats, such as procainamide, disopyramide and quinidine
- ketoconazole, an antifungal medicine
- some medicines to treat muscle weakness or glaucoma
- urinary alkalinisers (e.g. Ural, Citravescent) used to relieve the discomfort of a urine infection
- cisapride (e.g. Prepulsid) and metoclopramide (e.g. Maxolon)
- some medicines used in Alzheimers disease.
Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you what to do if you are taking these or any other medicines.
If you have not told your doctor about any of these things, tell them before you are given any Atropine Sulfate Injection BP.
When you are given Atropine Sulfate Injection BP
How Atropine Sulfate Injection BP is given
Atropine Sulfate Injection BP will be given to you as an injection by a doctor or a specially trained nurse.
The injection may be given just under the skin, into a muscle or directly into the blood stream.
Things to be careful of
Do not drive or operate machinery when you have been given Atropine Sulfate Injection BP.
Atropine sulphate may cause drowsiness, blurred vision and dizziness.
Make sure you keep cool in hot weather, and avoid exercise. This is especially important for babies and small children.
This medicine will make you sweat less and you may overheat.
If you are 65 years or older you should be especially careful after being given Atropine Sulfate Injection BP, as you are more likely to get side effects.
Overdose
The doctor or nurse giving you Atropine Sulfate Injection BP will be experienced in its use, so it is extremely unlikely that you will be given too much.
Atropine sulfate doses will be carefully worked out, especially for children or the elderly, because they are more sensitive to it.
However, the first sign of overdose is often a widening of the pupils, difficulty in swallowing, hot dry skin, flushing, and a decrease in the need to pass urine.
There are other drugs that can be given by injection to reverse the effects of atropine sulfate.
Your doctor has more information in how to recognise and treat overdose. Ask your doctor if you have any concerns.
Side effects
Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well when you are given Atropine Sulfate Injection BP.
Atropine Sulfate Injection BP helps most people who are prescribed it, but it may have unwanted side-effects in a few people.
All medicines can have side effects. Sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are not. You may need medical treatment if you get some of the side effects.
Babies, small children and people over 65 are more likely to get side effects.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.
Tell your doctor immediately or go to casualty at your nearest hospital if you notice any of the following:
- severe skin rash or peeling skin
- extremely high body temperature
- trouble breathing or swallowing
- severe pain in the stomach with bloating, gut cramps and vomiting
- symptoms of an allergic reaction such as skin rash, hayfever, difficulty breathing, swelling of the lips, face or mouth, or feeling faint
- eye pain.
These are serious side effects. You may need urgent medical attention.
Serious side effects are rare.
Tell your doctor or nurse if you notice any of the following and they worry you:
- dry mouth or thirst
- widening of the pupils of the eyes, difficulty focussing, light being irritating
- flushing or dryness of the skin
- constipation
- reduced need or difficulty in passing urine
- abnormal heart beats or palpitations.
These are frequent side effects of atropine sulfate and are related to the way it works.
These side effects are usually mild.
Tell your doctor or nurse if you notice any of the following and they worry you:
- tremor
- tiredness, drowsiness or weakness
- headache
- nausea or vomiting
- confusion, nervousness or strange thoughts
- dizziness
- heartburn or chest pain
- sticky eyes (conjunctivitis)
- loss of taste
- insomnia
- redness or irritation at the site of injection.
These are less common side effects of atropine sulfate.
These side effects are usually mild.
Tell your doctor if you notice anything else that is making you feel unwell.
Some people may get other side effects while taking Atropine Sulfate Injection BP.
After using it
Storage
Atropine Sulfate Injection BP will be stored by your doctor or pharmacist under the recommended conditions.
It should be kept in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 25 °C.
Disposal
Any Atropine Sulfate Injection BP which is not used will be disposed of in a safe manner by your doctor or pharmacist.
Product description
Atropine Sulfate Injection BP is a clear, colourless sterile solution. It is available in 1mL Polyamp® DuoFit® plastic ampoules.
It contains atropine sulfate as the active ingredient, in strengths of 400, 500, 600 or 1200 micrograms of atropine sulphate per mL.
It also contains the following inactive ingredients:
- Sodium chloride
- Hydrochloric acid (to adjust pH)
- Water for Injections.
Manufacturer
AstraZeneca Pty Ltd
ABN 54 009 682 311
Alma Road
NORTH RYDE NSW 2113
This leaflet was prepared in September 2003.
Australian Registration Numbers:
400mcg/1mL12052
500mcg/1mL 12051
600mcg/1mL 12053
1200mcg/1mL 12056
® Polyamps and Polyamp Duofit are trade marks of the AstraZeneca group of companies.
Published by MIMS December 2004