Atropine : Therapeutic uses, Clinical uses, Indications, Dosage, Side Effects, Warnings, Interactions, Precautions, Contraindications & Brand names
Atropine is a natural anti-muscarinic cholinergic antagonist, used as mydriatic & cycloplegic agent and in decreasing the production of saliva and secretions of the airway prior to surgery. It is also used to treat spasms in the stomach, intestines, and other organs. It may also be used to counteract the effects of certain other medicines or for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Dose : 0.6-2 mg I.M./ I.V. (adults), 10 μg/kg I.M./ I.V. (children), 1-2 % Solution (Opthalmic solution)
Route : Intra-muscular(I.M.), Intra-venous(I.V.), Topical, Oral
Plasma half-life : 2 hours
Duration of action : 3-4 hours (It’s action may last for days, if placed topically in the eye)
Bioavailability : 25%
Chemical formula : C17H23NO3
IUPAC name : (RS)-(8-Methyl-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-yl) 3-hydroxy-2-phenylpropanoate
Trade name : Isopto atropine, Atropine sulphate, Atrosu LPH, Atropen
Therapeutic uses : Atropine has following usage :
- Mainly used as mydriatic and cycloplegic agent since atropine (Topical) exerts both mydriatic and cycloplegic effects, and it permits the measurement of refractive errors without interference by the accommodative capacity of the eye.
- Used for retinal examination.
- Used for prevention of synechiae after surgery.
- Used as an antispasmodic agent to relax the GI tract.
- Sometimes used as an antisecretory agent to block secretions in the upper and lower respiratory tracts prior to surgery.
- Used to treat bradycardia of varying etiologies.
- Used for the treatment of organophosphate (insecticides, nerve gases) poisoning, of overdose of clinically used anticholinesterases such as physostigmine, and in some types of mushroom poisoning (certain mushrooms contain cholinergic substances that block cholinesterases).
Points of interest
- Approved as WHO Essential Drug .
- Low doses of cholinesterase inhibitors, such as physostigmine, may be used to overcome atropine’s toxicity.
- The drug may be dangerous in children, because they are sensitive to its effects, particularly to rapid increases in body temperature (atropinic hyperthermic effects) that it may elicit. Therefore, atropine should be considered a highly dangerous drug when overdose occurs in infants or children.
- Combinations of atropine with analgesics and antipyretics are banned in India.
Side effects : Treatment with atropine or its congeners directed at one organ system almost always induces undesirable effects in other organ systems. Commonly observed side effects are as follows :
- Depending on the dose, atropine may cause dry mouth, blurred vision,“sandy eyes,”tachycardia, hot & flushed skin, urinary retention, constipation, bronchodilatation & reduces airway resistance, especially in COPD and asthma patients.
- Effects on the CNS include restlessness, confusion, disorientation, cortical excitation, agitation, hallucinations, and delirium, which may progress to depression, collapse of the circulatory and respiratory systems, and death.
- Body temperature is frequently elevated.
Drug Interactions : Atropine may interact with following drugs :
Precautions
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist
- If you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies.
- Your medical history, especially of Narrow-angle glaucoma, tachycardia, asthma, GI problems, bladder outlet obstruction.
Contraindications
For detailed query or in case of uncertainty, Always consult your doctor or pharmacist.
