Atropine is an injectable drug known commercially as Atropion, which is a parasympathetic nervous system stimulant that acts by inhibiting the activity of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine.
Atropine Indications
Atropine can be indicated to combat cardiac arrhythmias, Parkinson's disease, insecticide poisoning, in case of peptic ulcer, renal colic, urinary incontinence, respiratory system secretions, menstrual colic, to decrease salivation during anesthesia and intubation, blockage cardiac arrest, and as an adjunct to gastrointestinal radiographs.
How to use Atropine
Injectable Use
Adults
- Arrhythmias: Administer 0.4 to 1 mg of Atropine every 2 hours. The maximum amount allowed for this treatment is 4 mg daily.
Children
- Arrhythmias: Administer 0.01 to 0.05 mg of Atropine per Kg of weight every 6 hours.
Atropine Side Effects
Atropine can cause an increase in heart rate; dry mouth; dry skin; constipation; pupil dilation; decreased sweat; Headache; insomnia; nausea; palpitation; urine retention; sensitivity to light; dizziness; redness; blurred vision; loss of taste; weakness; fever; somnolence; swelling of the belly.
Atropine contraindications
Pregnancy risk C, women in lactation, asthma, glaucoma or tendency to glaucoma, adhesion between the iris and the lens, tachycardia, unstable cardiovascular status in acute hemorrhage, myocardial ischemia, gastrointestinal obstructive diseases and
genitourinary, paralytic ileus, intestinal atony in geriatric or debilitated patients, severe ulcerative colitis, toxic megacolon associated with ulcerative colitis, severe liver and kidney diseases, myasthenia gravis.
