Consumer medicine information

Atropine Sulfate Injection MINIJET®

Atropine Sulfate Injection MINIJET®

Consumer Medicine Information

You may have been given this product in an emergency situation by a non-medical health professional.

WHAT IS IN THIS LEAFLET?

This leaflet contains information about Atropine Sulfate Injection MINIJET. Please read it carefully and keep it for future reference. The information in this leaflet is only a summary and is not intended to replace advice from your doctor.

Please consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have any comments or questions.

WHAT IS ATROPINE?

Atropine stops the effect of a chemical which we have in our bodies which slows the heartbeat, makes us produce saliva in our mouths and helps us to digest our food. The poison in mushrooms contains a similar chemical. Atropine therefore can increase the heartbeat, slow the digestive processes and act as an antidote to mushroom poisoning.

WHEN IS ATROPINE USED?

Atropine is used in emergency situations where the heart is beating too slowly. It can also be used to prevent such emergencies. Atropine is also very effective for treating people who become ill as a result of eating poisonous mushrooms.

Atropine is occasionally used before a general anaesthetic to dry up saliva and fluid in the lungs.

As atropine is only used in medical emergencies, the injection may be given by paramedical personnel such as ambulance or nursing staff.

WHO SHOULD NOT HAVE ATROPINE INJECTIONs?

As atropine is often used in medical emergencies it should rarely be withheld from anyone who needs it.

Apart from this situation, atropine should NOT be used if you:

  • are allergic to it
  • have had a previous severe reaction to it
  • have trouble passing urine
  • have certain heart conditions
  • have high pressure in the eye (glaucoma)
  • have heartburn
  • have certain stomach problems such as pyloric stenosis
  • have certain bowel problems such as severe ulcerative colitis or bowel obstruction
  • have myasthenia gravis.

BEFORE YOU HAVE AN ATROPINE INJECTION

If you are conscious, you should tell your doctor if you:

  • have ever had an allergic reaction to atropine
  • have any trouble passing your water
  • have any heart complaints
  • have ulcerative colitis or obstructive disease of the gastrointestinal tract
  • have pyloric stenosis
  • have high pressure in your eyes (glaucoma)
  • have indigestion
  • are taking any medicines and what they are, especially if they are for depression, Parkinson’s syndrome, allergy, bowel disorders or heart problems
  • are pregnant
  • are breast feeding
  • have a fever
  • have high blood pressure
  • are suffering from any other illness.

SIDE EFFECTS OF ATROPINE

As with any medicine, some side effects may occur.

With atropine they are usually mild but severe effects can be caused by larger doses (see OVERDOSE).

Common mild side effects include: dry mouth, constipation, thirst, blurred vision, palpitations, difficulty in passing urine, dizziness, headache, nervousness, nausea.

Always tell your doctor if you have any unpleasant effects after receiving an Atropine Sulfate Injection MINIJET.

THE DOSE OF ATROPINE

The dose of atropine injection is not always the same. Some conditions need a small dose whilst others need a larger amount.

Adults: the usual dose is 0.4 to 0.6 mg which can be repeated if necessary. Larger doses are often needed for mushroom poisoning.

Children: the dose is usually 0.01 mg per kg of bodyweight, but can be increased in certain circumstances.

OVERDOSE

An overdose of atropine will give all the effects listed under SIDE EFFECTS OF ATROPINE but they will be more severe. They include: very dry mouth, difficulty in swallowing, fever, rash, nausea and vomiting, palpitations, high blood pressure, tremor, confusion, drowsiness – leading to coma and possibly death.

There is a product which can be used to reverse the effects of atropine.

WHAT DOES Atropine Sulfate Injection MINIJET CONTAIN?

Atropine Sulfate Injection MINIJET contains atropine at a concentration of 0.1 mg in each mL of injection solution.

Each Atropine Sulfate Injection MINIJET also contains: sodium chloride, sodium citrate, citric acid and water.

HOW TO STORE Atropine Sulfate Injection MINIJET

Atropine Sulfate Injection MINIJET should be protected from light and stored below 25°C. They should not be used after the expiry date on the package.

WHERE CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION?

You can get more information from your doctor or pharmacist.

Sponsor

UCB Pharma
A division of UCB Australia Pty Ltd
Level 1, 1155 Malvern Road
Malvern Vic 3144, Australia

Atropine Sulfate Injection MINIJET
– AUST R 48529

Date of Preparation

March 2012

MINIJET® is a registered trademark of International Medications Systems, Limited.

Published by MIMS June 2012