Effects Of Transdermal Scopolamine Research Articles

Effects of Transdermal Scopolamine on Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting during Patient-controlled Analgesia

Effects of Transdermal Scopolamine on Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting during Patient-controlled Analgesia

Effects of transdermal scopolamine on pulmonary function, symptoms and bronchial hyperresponsiveness to methacholine

This study is a result of two consecutive double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over studies. In the first study, we evaluated therapeutic effects of a single transdermal scopolamine patch (Scopoderm® TTS, size 2.5 cm 2, Ciba Geigy) on forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV 1), reversibility, peak expiratory flow (PEF) and symptoms in ten patients with reversible airways disease (ΔFEV 1⩾9% predicted). During the study, blood and urine samples were taken from the patients and analysed for scopolamine levels. The drug was adequately taken up from the patch into the systemic circulation. However, no significant clinical effects, nor correlations between the scopolamine levels and the outcome parameters were observed. Because of the possibility of sub-therapeutic doses in the first study, a second study with two transdermal scopolamine patches was performed in ten patients with bronchial hyperresponsiveness to methacholine. The blood and urine concentrations of free scopolamine were doubled compared to the first study. There were still no statistically significant effects on FEV 1, PEF, symptoms, and bronchial hyperresponsiveness, yet most of the patients now reported adverse side effects. We conclude that transdermal administration of scopolamine is not clinically useful in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Even application of two patches does not result in therapeutically effective levels at the muscarinic receptors in the lung, yet causes several side effects.

Effects of transdermal scopolamine on heart rate variability in normal subjects

A decrease in cardiac parasympathetic tone is a recognized finding in patients with ischemic heart disease, sudden cardiac death and heart failure, correlating closely with disease severity and overall survival. To study the clinical potential of vagomimetic intervention, the effect of transdermal scopolamine on fluctuations in heart rate was studied in 32 healthy adult subjects using both time-domain (mean RR interval, standard deviation of the mean RR interval, mean of the differences between consecutive RR intervals) and frequency-domain measures (spectrum analysis of 128 consecutive RR intervals) of heart rate variability. After an exposure of 24 hours, transdermal scopolamine resulted in a significant increase in all indexes tested. The increase was most pronounced in the 0.25-Hz respiratory peak of the RR interval power spectrum, compatible with a strong vagomimetic mode of action of transdermal scopolamine. Results indicate that transdermal scopolamine may have potential merit as a selective vagotonic agent in certain patients with myocardial infarction, heart failure or ventricular arrhythmias.

Transdermal scopolamine: Effects upon psychological performance and visual functioning at sea

AbstractThe effects of transdermal scopolamine upon, psychological task performance, subjective feeling state, and visual functioning, were assessed with 28 naval volunteers at sea. The battery of assessment measures was given before drug administration, and following 24‐hour periods on transdermal scopolamine and transdermal placebo. Code substitution task performance was not affected, but letter cancellation errors were significantly increased, indicating an impairment in sustained attention with transdermal scopolamine. Subjective reports of dry mouth and drowsiness were significantly more frequent under scopolamine. Visual changes were also noted, with visual near point significantly increased for the overall group, and one hypermetropic subject developing a marked visual acuity decrement and severe blurred vision, following transdermal scopolamine.