Atropine Injection

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NOTICE: This Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) is intended for persons living in Australia.

(Atropine sulfate monohydrate )

CONSUMER MEDICINE INFORMATION

What is in this leaflet

This leaflet answers some common questions about Atropine Injection. It does not contain all the available information. It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.

All medicines have benefits and risks. Your doctor has weighed the risks of you taking Atropine Injection against the benefits this medicine is expected to have for you.

This medicine is likely to be used while you are at the clinic or in hospital. If possible, please read this leaflet carefully before this medicine is given to you. In some cases this leaflet may be given to you after the medicine has been used.

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 Injection is used for

Atropine sulfate monohydrate belongs to a group of medicines called antimuscarinic agents. Atropine Injection is given before anaesthesia to decrease mucus secretions, such as saliva. During anaesthesia and surgery, atropine is used to help keep the heart beat normal. Atropine sulfate monohydrate is also used to block or reverse the adverse effects caused by some medicines and certain type of pesticides.

Atropine Injection may be used for the management of other conditions that are not mentioned above. Your doctor will be able to tell you about the specific condition for which you have been prescribed Atropine Injection.

This medicine is available only with a doctor's prescription.

Before you are given Atropine Injection

When you must not be given it

Do not use Atropine Injection if you have an allergy or have had an unusual reaction to atropine or any of the anticholinergic medicines such as hyoscyamine and belladonna.

Do not use Atropine Injection if you have or have had any medical conditions, especially the following:

severe and chronic inflammation of the large intestine and rectum

gastrointestinal blockage and/or diseases

enlarged prostate

urinary tract blockage and/or bladder problems

fever, or if you are exposed to very high temperatures

glaucoma and/or family history of glaucoma

myasthenia gravis (severe muscle weakness)

acute bleeding, especially if you have heart problems

heart disease

high blood pressure due to pregnancy

overactive thyroid.

If you are not sure whether any of these apply to you, check with your doctor.

Before you are given it

Tell your doctor if you have allergies to any other medicines, foods, preservatives or dyes.

Tell your doctor if you have or have had any medical conditions, especially the following:

brain damage and/or mental confusion

lung diseases

liver and/or kidney diseases

hormone problems

high blood pressure

fast heart beat

hiatus hernia

heart diseases

stomach and intestinal problems

gastric ulcer, diarrhoea or gastrointestinal infection.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or are breast-feeding.

Your doctor can discuss with you the risks and benefits involved.

Taking other medicines

Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, including:

all prescription medicines

all medicines, vitamins, herbal supplements or natural therapies you buy without a prescription from a pharmacy, supermarket, naturopath or health food shop.

Some medicines and atropine sulfate monohydrate may interfere with each other. These include:

medicines to treat irregular heart beat e.g. disopyramide and quinidine

blood "thinning" medicines e.g. heparin, warfarin

medicines to treat Parkinson's disease

metoclopramide, a medicine to treat nausea and vomiting

cisapride, a medicine used in certain stomach problems

anticholinergic medicines to prevent travel sickness, relieve stomach cramps or spasms

antispasmodics

bethanechol, a medicine used in bladder function disorders

antihistamines

medicines to treat depression such as tricyclic antidepressants

medicines used to treat certain mental and emotional conditions

ketaconazole, a medicine to treat fungal infections

narcotic analgesics to treat severe pain

medicines used for glaucoma e.g. pilocarpine, carbachol

medicines to treat Alzheimer's disease e.g. rivastigmine and donepezil

muscle relaxants used during an operation.

If you are to receive Atropine Injection as a premedication, your doctor will advise if you should continue to take your regular medicines.

How Atropine Injection is given

Atropine sulfate monohydrate will be injected by your doctor or nurse under the skin, into the muscle or directly into the blood stream.

Your doctor will decide what dose and how often you will receive Atropine Injection. The dosage you will be given will depend on your condition, what it is being used for and other factors, such as your age, and whether or not other medicines are being given at the same time.

If you are given too much (overdose)

This rarely happens as Atropine Injection is administered under the care of a highly trained doctor.

However, if you are given too much atropine sulfate monohydrate, you may experience some of the effects listed under "Side effects" below. The signs of overdose are dilation of the pupils, difficulty in swallowing, hot dry skin, thirst, dizziness, flushing and inability to pass urine. Rapid breathing, increased heart rate, tremor, fatigue, loss of muscle control, confusion, hallucinations, paranoid, hyperactivity and occasionally seizures or convulsions may also occur.

Your doctor has information on how to recognise and treat an overdose. Ask your doctor if you have any concerns.

Side effects

Tell your doctor, nurse or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well after you have being given atropine sulfate monohydrate.

Like other medicines, atropine sulfate monohydrate can cause some side effects. If they occur, most are likely to be minor or temporary. However, some may be serious and need medical attention.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions that you may have.

Do not be alarmed by this list of possible side effects. You may not experience any of them.

Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following:

blurred vision and/or discomfort in the eyes especially if your eyes are more sensitive to light than normal, dilation of pupils

difficulty in urinating

constipation

fever

flushing, dryness of skin

skin rash, hives

headache, dizziness, drowsiness and/or weakness

nervousness, restlessness, confusion, unusual excitement shaking and/or tremor

nausea, vomiting

fast and/or irregular heart beat

loss of taste

dryness of the mouth, nose and throat, thirst.

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor or nurse.

Storage

Atropine Injection will be stored in the pharmacy or on the ward. The injection is kept in a cool dry place, where the temperature stays below 25°C.

Product Description

What it looks like

Atropine Injection is a clear, colourless solution in a plastic ampoule.

It is available in packs of 10 (600 microgram only) and packs of 50.

Ingredients

Atropine Injection contains the active ingredient atropine sulfate monohydrate 600 microgram per mL or 1.2 mg per mL. It also contains sodium chloride and Water for Injections.

It does not contain preservatives.