Each 1ml of solution contains 600 micrograms of Atropine Sulphate B.P.

Clear, colourless, sterile, aqueous solution intended for parenteral administration to human beings.

1) In anaesthesia, to reduce the risk of vagal inhibition of the heart and to reduce salivary and bronchial secretions.

2) In the treatment of cholinergic crisis of myasthenia gravis.

3) In conjunction with neostigmine used to reverse the effects of non-depolarising muscle relaxants.

4) In the treatment of poisoning by certain cholinesterase inhibitors e.g. organo-phosphorous compounds.

5) During cardiopulmonary resuscitation to counteract excessive vagal tone on the heart.

1) Use in Anaesthesia

Adults (including the elderly): The usual dose is 0.3 to 0.6mg (300 micrograms to 600 micrograms)

Childern:

Premature Infants: 65 micrograms

Full-term Infants: 100 micrograms

6 months – 1 year: 200 micrograms

Over one year: 10-20 micrograms/kg bodyweight

2) Treatment of cholinergic crisis of myasthenia gravis

Adults: The usual does is 0.4 to 2.0 mg intravenously, which may be increased according to patients response.

3) In conjunction with neostigmine used to reverse the effects of non-depolarising muscle relaxants

Adults: The usual dose is 0.6 to 1.2mg given by slow intravenous injection.

Atropine should be administered before neostigmine.

4) Treatment of poisoning by certain cholinesterase inhibitors

Adults: From 1.2mg, increased according to patient's response.

5) Use during Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

Adults: A dose of 0.2 to 0.5mg may be given intravenously and repeated if necessary. Persistent bradycardia should be controlled by the insertion of a pacemaker as soon as possible.

Route of administration: By subcutaneous, intramuscular or intravenous injection.

Use in patients hypersensitive to anticholinergic agents.

Use in paralytic ileus or pyloric stenosis.

Use in patients with closed-angle glaucoma or prostatic hypertrophy.

Atropine should be used with caution in conditions characterised by tachycardia such as thyrotoxicosis, cardiac insufficiency or failure and in cardiac surgery.

Atropine should be used only with extreme caution in toxic pyrexial children, or in high ambient temperatures, because of the danger of hyperpyrexia.

When used to treat a cholinergic crisis in myasthenia gravis, all anti-cholinesterase medication should be withdrawn, if necessary for several days.

Doses of atropine up to 1mg are mildly stimulant to the central nervous system. Higher doses may induce mental disturbances and depression of the central nervous system. Children and elderly people are particularly susceptible.

Care is required when using atropine in the presence of acute myocardial ischaemia or infarction as the ischaemia or infarction may be worsened.

The effects of the atropine may be enhanced by the concomitant administration of other drugs with anticholinergic properties e.g. some anti-histamines, phenothiazines, tricyclic anti-depressants, amantadine, butyrophenones.

Atropine should be used cautiously during ether anaesthesia since the sympathomimetic effects of this agent are likely to be potentiated.

Side effects include dry mouth, dysphagia, dry skin, thirst, dilated pupils with loss of accommodation and photophobia, increased intraocular pressure, palpitation, arrhythmias, constipation and urinary retention.

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POM – Prescription Only Medicine

25 August 2010