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Therapeutic action
Parasympatholytic, antispasmodic
Indications
- Premedication in anaesthesia
- Spasms of the gastrointestinal tract
- Organophosphorus pesticide poisoning
Forms and strengths, route of administration
- 1 mg atropine sulfate in 1 ml ampoule (1 mg/ml) for SC, IM, IV injection
- Also comes in 0.25 mg/ml and 0.5 mg/ml ampoules.
Dosage
Premedication in anaesthesia
- Child: 0.01 to 0.02 mg/kg by SC or IV injection
- Adult: 1 mg by SC or IV injection
Spasms of the gastrointestinal tract
- Child from 2 to 6 years: 0.25 mg by SC injection, single dose
- Child over 6 years: 0.5 mg by SC injection, single dose
- Adult: 0.25 to 1 mg by SC injection, every 6 hours if necessary (max. 2 mg daily)
Organophosphorus pesticide poisoning
- Child: 0.02 to 0.05 mg/kg by IM or slow IV injection
- Adult: 2 mg by IM or slow IV injection
Repeat every 5 to 10 minutes until signs of atropinisation appear (reduced secretions, tachycardia, dilatation of the pupils).
Contra-indications, adverse effects, precautions
- Do not administer to patients with urethro-prostatic disorders, cardiac disorders, glaucoma.
- Do not administer to children with high fever.
- May cause: urinary retention, dryness of the mouth, constipation, dizziness, headache, dilatation of the pupils, tachycardia.
- Administer with caution and under close supervision to patients taking other anti cholinergic drugs (antidepressants, neuroleptics, H1 antihistamines, antiparkinsonians, etc.).
- Pregnancy: no contra-indication; NO PROLONGED TREATMENT
- Breast-feeding: avoid; NO PROLONGED TREATMENT
Remarks
- Atropine IV is also used to prevent bradycardic effects of neostigmine when used to reverse the effects of competitive muscle relaxants: 0.02 mg/kg in children; 1 mg in adults.
- Do not mix with other drugs in the same syringe.
Storage
– Below 25 °C