Patient Medication Information: uses, side effects, how to take - Atropine Sulfate Injection USP
What is Atropine Sulfate Injection USP used for?
Atropine Sulfate Injection USP is used in adults and children:
- before use of an anesthetic to slow the flow of your saliva or to prevent or reduce secretions from your lungs
- to restore your heart rate and blood pressure in your arteries during anesthesia
- to reduce the effects of heart block caused, in some cases, by digitalis
- to increase heart rate and prevent fainting
- as an antidote for severe low blood pressure from taking a cholinergic drug
- as an antidote to poisoning from organophosphorus insecticides; and
- as an antidote to mushroom poisoning from muscarine (found in Amanita muscaria)
How does Atropine Sulfate Injection USP work?
Atropine Sulfate Injection USP works by blocking a chemical in your body called acetylcholine from binding to certain nerve cell receptors. In some cases, it will prevent acetylcholine from overstimulating the nerve cells and can prevent or reduce symptoms such as heart block or fainting.
What are the ingredients in Atropine Sulfate Injection USP?
Medicinal ingredients: Atropine sulfate monohydrate
Non-medicinal ingredients: Sodium chloride, water for injection. May contain sodium hydroxide and/or sulfuric acid for pH adjustment
Atropine Sulfate Injection USP comes in the following dosage forms:
Solution; 0.1 mg / mL
Do not use Atropine Sulfate Injection USP if:
- you have high pressure in your eye(s) (glaucoma)
- you have a condition where the opening between the stomach and small intestine thickens (pyloric stenosis)
- you have an enlarged prostate gland (prostatic hypertrophy)
ATROPINE SULFATE INJECTION USP (Atropine Sulfate) Product Monograph Page 13 of 14
To help avoid side effects and ensure proper use, talk to your healthcare professional before you are given Atropine Sulfate Injection USP. Talk to your healthcare professional about any health conditions or problems you may have, including if you:
- have lung disease
are pregnant, think you may be pregnant or are planning to become pregnant
Tell your healthcare professional about all the medicines you take, including any drugs, vitamins, minerals, natural supplements or alternative medicines.
The following may interact with Atropine Sulfate Injection USP:
- Medications called “tricyclic antidepressants” or “monoamine oxidase inhibitors, used to treat a variety of disorders such as mood, anxiety, personality and neurological disorders
- Antihistamines
- Phenothiazines, used to treat mental and emotional disorders
- Amantadine, used to treat Parkinson’s Disease
- Butyrophenones, used to treat psychiatric disorders
- Disopyramide and mexiletine used to treat abnormal heart rhythms
- Ketoconazole, an antifungal medication
How to take Atropine Sulfate Injection USP:
Atropine Sulfate Injection USP will be given to you by a healthcare professional in a healthcare setting.
Usual dose:
Your dosage will be determined by a healthcare professional.
Overdose:
| If you think you, or a person you are caring for, have been given too much Atropine Sulfate Injection USP, contact a healthcare professional, hospital emergency department, or regional poison control centre immediately, even if there are no symptoms. |
What are possible side effects from using Atropine Sulfate Injection USP?
These are not all the possible side effects you may have when given Atropine Sulfate Injection USP. If you experience any side effects not listed here, tell your healthcare professional.
- blurred vision
- constipation
- difficulty swallowing
- dilated pupils
- dry mouth
- fast heart rate
- fatigue
- feeling dizzy
- feeling restless
- feeling thirsty
- feeling uncoordinated or off-balance
- hot, dry skin
- not being able to sweat
- not being able to urinate (urinary retention)
- racing or pounding heart (palpitations)
- sensitive to heat or light
- skin rash
- tremors
A healthcare professional will monitor you for any side effects when you are given Atropine Sulfate Injection USP.
If you have a troublesome symptom or side effect that is not listed here or becomes bad enough to interfere with your daily activities, tell your healthcare professional.
Reporting Side Effects
You can report any suspected side effects associated with the use of health products to Health Canada by:
NOTE: Contact your health professional if you need information about how to manage your side effects. The Canada Vigilance Program does not provide medical advice. |
Storage:
Atropine Sulfate Injection USP will be stored by a healthcare professional. It will be stored between 20°C and 25°C, protected from freezing and excessive heat.
Keep out of reach and sight of children.
If you want more information about Atropine Sulfate Injection USP:
- Talk to your healthcare professional
- Find the full product monograph that is prepared for healthcare professionals and includes this Patient Medication Information by visiting the Health Canada website: (https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/drug-products/drug-product-database.html; the manufacturer’s website www.pfizer.ca, or by calling 1-800-463-6001.