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Scopolamine

Supportive Care

Brand names:

Transderm-Scop®

Often used for:

Nausea and vomiting, motion sickness, drooling (excessive mouth secretions), GI (gastrointestinal) spasm

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What is scopolamine?

Scopolamine is a medicine used to prevent motion sickness, control nausea and vomiting, and treat GI (gastrointestinal) spasms. It works by blocking the effects of a natural chemical on the central nervous system. 

This medicine may be given in the clinic, hospital, or at home.

Brain

May be given as a patch placed on the skin (usually behind the ear) 

 
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Possible side effects

  • Dry mouth
  • Blurred vision or vision changes
  • Dizziness 
  • Feeling tired or weak
  • High body temperature problems with heat
  • Skin irritation where the patch is placed

Symptoms of an allergic reaction may include rash, hives, itching, runny nose, fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, shortness of breath, coughing, tightness in the throat, dizziness, low blood pressure, pain in the chest, side, or back, swelling of the face or neck.  

Not all patients who take scopolamine will experience these side effects. Common side effects are in bold, but there may be others. Please report all suspected side effects to your doctor or pharmacist.

Find more information on side effects.

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Tips for patients and families

Be sure to discuss all questions and instructions with your health care provider or pharmacist.

  • Do not apply the patch on areas of skin that are red or irritated.
  • Do not touch your eyes after handling the patch. The medicine can cause eye problems like blurry vision.
  • Be careful in hot weather or during physical activity. Scopolamine and other similar medicines can make it hard for your child to regulate their body temperature. If you have concerns, remove the patch and contact your care team immediately. 
  • Remove the skin patch before having an MRI imaging test. The skin patch contains metal. 
  • Make sure your child drinks plenty of liquids.
  • This medicine may make your child dizzy or drowsy. Do not let your child do anything that could be dangerous, such as driving a car or riding a bike, until you see how this medicine affects them.
  • If your child has been taking this medicine on a regular basis and stops taking it, they may have signs of withdrawal. Do not stop giving this medicine without talking to your health care team.
  • Tell your health care providers about all of your child’s allergies.
  • It is important that patients tell the care team if they are sexually active, pregnant, or breastfeeding. 

Scopolamine at home

  • Follow the instructions given by your care team. 
  • Do not put on more than 1 patch at a time.
  • Wash hands before and after applying the skin patch.
  • Store the skin patch at room temperature.  

How to apply the skin patch

  1. Pick a spot of skin behind the ear. 
  2. Wash this area with soap and water and dry with a clean tissue.
  3. Put on disposable gloves. This keeps the medicine from getting on your fingers.
  4. Carefully open the package and peel off the clear backing from the patch. 
  5. Throw the backing in the trash.
  6. Press the sticky side of the patch firmly to the skin behind the ear.
  7. After you apply the patch, remove your gloves and wash your hands well with soap and water.

Partial dosing

  • Do not cut the patch. It is not made to be split.
  • If you have been told by a health care provider to apply part of a patch, only peel off part of the backing before placing it on the skin. 
  • If you have any questions, ask the pharmacist to show you how to apply a partial patch.
  • To apply ½ patch: 
    • If using half a patch, remove only half the backing.
    • Use a sticky cover (called an occlusive dressing) to help the patch stay in place.
  • To apply ¼ patch:
    • Talk to your pharmacist before using a quarter (1/4) of the patch. They will show you how to apply the partial patch.

If the patch falls off, throw it away and use a new one on the other ear.

How to remove a patch

  1. Gently peel off the patch. 
  2. Fold the patch in half so the sticky sides touch
  3. Throw the patch in the trash. Keep away from kids and pets.
  4. Wash the spot where the patch was.
  5. Wash your hands with soap and water.

Learn more about scopolamine

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Always check the medication label. Many medicines look the same. Do not take any new medicine, including over-the counter medicines or supplements, without checking with your doctor or pharmacist. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about what to do in the case of a missed dose, allergic reaction, or medical emergency. 

This information is not intended to be a complete guide and is not a substitute for talking with your provider. Medicine names, appearance, formulas, or availability may vary by clinic location. Always follow the instructions given by your care team.

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Reviewed: October 2025