Complete adverse effect profile including incidence rates and management
Important Safety Information
This is not a complete list of all possible side effects. Contact your healthcare provider if you experience any unexpected symptoms. For serious or life-threatening side effects, seek emergency medical attention immediately.
The following serious adverse reactions are described elsewhere in the labeling: Cardiovascular Risks [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1) ] Heat Injury [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2) ] Acute Glaucoma [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3) ] Urinary Retention [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4) ] Pyloric Stenosis [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5) ] Exacerbation of Chronic Lung Disease [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.6) ] Hypersensitivity [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.7) ] The following adverse reactions associated with the use of atropine were identified in the literature.
Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure.
Injection Site Reactions Mild to moderate pain may be experienced at the site of injection.
Adverse Reactions at Recommended Dosages The major and most common side effects of atropine can be attributed to its antimuscarinic action.
These include dryness of the mouth, blurred vision, dry eyes, photophobia, confusion, headache, dizziness, fatigue, tachycardia, palpitations, flushing, urinary hesitance or retention, constipation, abdominal pain, abdominal distention, nausea, vomiting, loss of libido, and impotency.
Anhidrosis may produce heat intolerance and impairment of temperature regulation especially in a hot environment.
Hypersensitivity Hypersensitivity reactions will occasionally occur with atropine;
these are usually seen as skin rashes, on occasion progressing to exfoliation.
Anaphylactic reactions have occurred.
Additional Adverse Reactions to Atropine by Organ System The following adverse reactions were reported in published literature for atropine in both adults and pediatric patients: Cardiovascular : Sinus tachycardia, supraventricular tachycardia, junctional tachycardia, ventricular tachycardia, bradycardia, palpitations, ventricular arrhythmia, ventricular flutter, ventricular fibrillation, atrial arrhythmia, atrial fibrillation, atrial ectopic beats, ventricular premature contractions, bigeminal beats, trigeminal beats, nodal extrasystole, ventricular extrasystole, supraventricular extrasystole, asystole, cardiac syncope, prolongation of sinus node recovery time, cardiac dilation, left ventricular failure, myocardial infarction, intermittent nodal rhythm (no P wave), prolonged P wave, shortened PR segment, R on T phenomenon, shortened RT duration, widening and flattening of QRS complex, prolonged QT interval, flattening of T wave, repolarization abnormalities, altered ST-T waves, retrograde conduction, transient AV dissociation, increased blood pressure, decreased blood pressure, labile blood pressure, weak or impalpable peripheral pulses.
Cardiovascular Risks Cardiovascular adverse reactions reported in the literature for atropine include, but are not limited to, sinus tachycardia, palpitations, premature ventricular contractions, atrial flutter, atrial fibrillation, ventricular flutter, ventricular fibrillation, cardiac syncope, asystole, and myocardial infarction [see Adverse Reactions (6)].
In patients with a recent myocardial infarction and/or severe coronary artery disease, there is a possibility that atropine-induced tachycardia may cause ischemia, extend or initiate myocardial infarcts, and stimulate ventricular ectopy and fibrillation.
Atropine should be used with caution in patients with known cardiovascular disease or cardiac conduction problems.
Heat Injury Atropine may inhibit sweating which, in a warm environment or with excessive exercise, can lead to hyperthermia and heat injury.
To the extent feasible, avoid excessive exercise and heat exposure [see Adverse Reactions (6)].
Like all medications, N/a can cause side effects. However, not everyone who takes this medication will experience them. Many side effects are dose-dependent and may improve as your body adjusts to the medication. Others may require dose adjustment or medical attention.
Contact your healthcare provider promptly if you experience:
Seek immediate emergency medical care if you experience signs of: