Atropine Sulfate

General Injectables & Vaccines, Inc

Atropine Sulfate Injection, USP 0.4 mg/0.5 mL 0.5 mL Ampule

FULL PRESCRIBING INFORMATION: CONTENTS*

• Description
• Clinical Pharmacology
• Atropine Sulfate Indications and Usage
• Contraindications
• Warnings
• Precautions
• Side Effects
• Overdosage
• Dosage and Administration
• How Supplied
• Sample Outer Label

FULL PRESCRIBING INFORMATION

Description

Atropine Sulfate Injection, USP is a sterile, isotonic solution of Atropine Sulfate in Water for Injection q.s. Sodium Chloride added for isotonicity. pH adjusted with Sulfuric Acid.
Preservative free. Atropine is a white crystalline alkaloid which may be extracted from belladonna root and hyoscyamine or may be produced synthetically. It is used in the form of atropine sulfate because this compound has much greater solubility in water. The structural formula of Atropine is as follows:

Molecular Formula             Molecular Weight
C17H23NO3                      289.37

Clinical Pharmacology

Atropine has two actions. The most important therapeutic action is the inhibition of smooth muscle and glands innervated by postganglionic cholinergic nerves. Atropine also has central-nervoussystem activity, which may be stimulating or depressing depending upon the dose.

Atropine Sulfate Indications and Usage

1. In the treatment of parkinsonism. Rigidity and tremor relieved by the apparently selective depressant action.
2. In the gastrointestinal tract to relieve pylorospasm, hypertonicity of the small intestine and the hypermotility of the colon.
3. To relieve hypertonicity of the uterine muscle.
4. To relax the spasm of biliary and uretered colic and bronchial spasm.
5. To diminish the tone of the detrusor muscle of the urinary bladder in the treatment of urinary tract disorders.
6. To control the crying and laughing episodes in patients with brain lesions.
7. In cases of closed head injuries which cause acetylcholine to be released or to be present in cerebrospinal fluid which in turn causes abnormal EEG patterns, stupor and neurological signs.
8. In the management of peptic ulcer.
9. In anesthesia to control excessive salivation and bronchial secretions.
10. To control rhinorrhea of acute rhinitis or hay fever.
11. As an antidote for pilocarpine, physostigmine, isoflurophate, choline esters, certain species of Aminata and in cases of anticholinesterase insecticide poisoning.
12. In poisoning by the organic phosphate cholinesterase inhibitors found in certain insecticides and by chemical warfare “nerve gases”, large doses of atropine relieve the muscarine-like
    symptoms and some of the central-nervous-system manifestations. Adults suspected of contact with organic phosphorus insecticides of the parathion type should be given atropine
    sulfate, 0.8 mg, intramuscularly. If an atropine effect is not apparent within thirty minutes or if definite symptoms of the poisoning occur (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, pupillary constriction,         pulmonary edema, fasciculations of eyelids and tongue, jerky ocular movements, and excessive sweating, salivation, and bronchial secretion), atropine sulfate, 2 mg, should be given             intramuscularly at hourly intervals until signs of atropinization are observed. Up to two or three times this dose (4 to 6 mg) may be required in severe cases. Removing contaminated             clothing, washing the skin, and commencing artificial respiration and supportive therapy are also indicated.

Contraindications

Conditions in which inhibition of postganglionic cholinergic nerves are undesirable, such as glaucoma and tachycardia. Also contraindicated in asthma, because the parenteral dose which might relieve asthma would have an excessive drying effect upon mucous plugs in the bronchi. Prostatic hypertrophy, while not a contraindication, requires special attention to signs of urinary retention.

Warnings

This drug is effective in very low dosage and overdose may cause permanent damage or death, especially in children.

Precautions

Doses of 0.5 to 1 mg of atropine are mildly stimulating to the central nervous system. Larger doses may produce mental disturbances; still larger doses are depressing. Death from atropine poisoning, though rare, is usually due to paralysis of the medullary centers.

Pregnancy: Teratogenic effects: Pregnancy Category B. Reproduction studies have been performed in mice in doses of 50 mg/kg of body weight and have revealed no evidence of impaired
fertility or harm to the fetus due to Atropine Sulfate. There are, however, no adequate and well controlled studies in pregnant women. Because animal reproduction studies are not always predictive of human response, this drug should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed.

Side Effects

Toxic effects from overdosage of atropine are not uncommon, especially in children. Individual tolerance varies greatly, but these systemic doses are likely to produce the following effects.

A scarlatiniform rash may occur. Atropine may produce fever, particularly in children, through inhibition of heat loss by evaporation. Although large doses of atropine may cause an alarming
condition, recovery is usual.

In the treatment of atropine poisoning, respiratory assistance and symptomatic support are indicated. Pilocarpine is sometimes given but is of limited value.

Overdosage

1. If marked excitement is present, a short acting barbiturate, chloral hydrate of paraldehyde may be used for sedation. Large doses should be avoided if possible and must be carefully controlled so that they will not add to the depressive stages of atropine poisoning.
2. Artificial respiration with oxygen is necessary when respiration is depressed.
3. Depression may be controlled by use of caffeine, sodium benzoate or picrotoxin together with the inhalation of oxygen.
4. As a physiologic antidote, neostigmine methylsulfate may be given by intramuscular injection in doses of 500 mcg to 1 mg and repeated every 2 to 9 hours.
5. Remaining therapy is purely symptomatic. Icebags and alcohol sponges help to reduce fever, especially in children. Careful nursing is essential. The room should be darkened, because of
    the patient’s marked photophobia.

Dosage and Administration

The usual adult dose of atropine is 0.4 to 0.6 mg. Suggested doses for children are as follows:

How Supplied

Sample Outer Label