"Atropine" is a cholinolytic drug, it is a blocker of cholinergic receptors. What side effects of atropine sulfate can a patient expect upon use?
The main feature of the drug is its ability to block anticholinergic systems in the body, located in the heart muscle, as well as the central nervous system.
Atropine Release Form
According to the instructions for use, it is known that the drug is of the following types:
- Solution for injection, containing in one milliliter a solution of one milligram of atropine sulfate (in ampoules of one milliliter).
- Eye drops (1%).
Indications
What is the description of the substance (atropinum) atropine? The drug is considered an anticholinergic and antispasmodic drug. Its active ingredient is a poisonous alkaloid contained in plants of the nightshade family, for example:
Reception of "Atropine" helps to reduce the secretory work of the glands, expand the hole in the iris of the eye, increase intraocular pressure and the ability of the eye to change the focal length.
According to the instructions for use and reviews of Atropine, it is known that the acceleration and stimulation of cardiac activity after using the drug is explained by its ability to eliminate the inhibitory effect of the vagus nerve. The action of the medication on the central nervous system is carried out in the form of activation of the neural formation in the medulla oblongata, and when excessive dosages are used, seizures and visual hallucinations may occur.
Usually, "Atropine" is prescribed for:
- Stomach ulcer (a chronic disease that occurs with the formation of injuries in the stomach, as well as a tendency to further development and the appearance of complications).
- Spasms of the muscles of the stomach and intestines.
- Hypersalivation (increased excretion of saliva as a result of increased activity of the salivary glands).
- Bradycardia (slow heartbeat).
- Acute pancreatitis (damage to the large endocrine and digestive glands located behind the stomach).
- Intestinal and renal colic (an acute attack of pain in the lumbar region caused by a sharp violation of the outflow of urine from the kidney and impaired blood circulation in it).
- Spastic colitis (an inflammatory process in the mucous membrane of the large intestine).
- Bronchospasm (a pathological condition that occurs when the smooth muscles of the bronchi are contracted and their lumen is reduced).
- Hypersecretion bronchitis (a diffuse inflammatory disease of the bronchi affecting the mucous membrane or the entire thickness of the wall of the bronchi).
- Laryngospasm (a pathological condition characterized by an uncontrolled contraction of the larynx).
And also the drug is used when carrying out x-rays of the stomach and intestines, for preliminary medical preparation of the patient for general anesthesia and surgical intervention in ophthalmology. Also, the drug is used for:
- pupil enlargement during the study of refraction of the eye;
- fundus examination;
- elimination of spasm of the central artery of the inner lining of the eye;
- eliminate inflammation of the cornea of the eye;
- healing lesions of the iris of the visual organ;
- elimination of the inflammatory process in the choroid of the eye;
- restoration of the mucosa with eye injuries.
Contraindications
The use of "Atropine" is prohibited in case of sensitivity to trace elements included in the structure of the drug. This can be both individual intolerance of the components, and sensitivity associated with the use of incompatible with "Atropine" means.
Instructions for use
Depending on the doctor’s prescriptions, the medicine is administered subcutaneously, intramuscularly or intravenously at 0.25-1 milligrams, the frequency of use is up to two times a day.
For adult patients, 0.5-1 milligrams are administered intravenously to eliminate bradycardia, if necessary, the procedure must be repeated after five minutes. The dosage for children is determined according to the weight of the patient - 0.01 milligrams per kilogram.
For preliminary medical preparation of the patient for general anesthesia and surgery, Atropine is administered intramuscularly forty-sixty minutes before surgery. The drug is administered to reduce the sensitivity of the body or part thereof until the complete cessation of perception:
- Adult patients need to enter 0.4-0.6 milligrams.
- Children need 0.01 milligrams per kilogram of weight.
It must be remembered that the drug can cause side effects in children.
Atropine is used in ophthalmology: one or two drops of a one percent solution are instilled into the affected visual organ, the frequency of use is up to three times a day, observing the interval of five to six hours. Under the conjunctiva, 0.2-0.5 milliliters of the drug should be administered.
"Atropine": side effects from taking
Even with the proper use of the medication, the following negative reactions may occur:
- tachycardia;
- dry mouth
- difficulty urinating
- dizziness;
- intestinal obstruction;
- photophobia.
If the drug is used in the form of drops, then the characteristic side effects of Atropine are:
- pupil dilation.
- vision damage at close range.
The negative consequences that occur with an overdose of the drug are observed an hour after using the medicine. The characteristic side effects of Atropine are:
- dryness of all mucous membranes;
- sweating reduction;
- increased heart rate;
- trembling limbs;
- hard breath;
- redness of the skin.
Features
"Atropine" must be used with extreme caution in diseases of the heart and blood vessels, in which it is not recommended to increase heart contractions:
- Tachycardia.
- Atrial fibrillation.
- Ischemia of the heart.
- Heart disease.
- Arterial hypertension.
- Valve defect.
"Atropine" also can not be taken in the presence of the following pathologies:
- Elevated levels of hormones.
- Acute bleeding.
- Diseases of the esophagus, accompanied by the development of an inflammatory process on its mucosa.
- Elevated body temperature.
- Increased intraocular pressure.
- Diseases of the stomach and intestines.
- Gestosis.
- Dry mouth.
- A chronic inflammatory disease of the colon mucosa.
- Lung affection.
- Hepatic and renal failure.
- Adenoma.
- An autoimmune neuromuscular disease characterized by pathologically rapid fatigability of striated muscles.
- Down Syndrome.
It is necessary to observe an interval of at least one hour between taking antacid medicines and Atropine. With subconjunctival use of drugs, in order to reduce tachycardia, the patient needs to take a validol capsule under the tongue. During therapy with "Atropine" you need to be careful when driving a car and when working in hazardous industries.
Generics
If this drug does not suit you, you can always use Atropine analogues. Instructions for the use of generics will not differ much and have similar indications and side effects. Replace the medicine can:
- Midrimax.
- Cyclomed.
- Midriacil.
- Cycloptic.
- Bellacehol.
- "Tropicamide".
- "Bekarbon".
Cyclomed
The drug is made in the form of a one percent solution. The drops do not have a shade or aroma, are available in five milliliter bottles, which are equipped with a pipette at the end.
One milliliter of the drug contains ten milligrams of the active ingredient - cyclopentolate hydrochloride.
"Cyclomed" is prescribed to prepare the patient for operations on the visual organs, to expand the pupil with extracapsular cataract. The drug is also used before conducting an examination of the eyeball. The cost of the drug is 400 rubles. "
Tropicamide
The drug is made in the form of 0.5% and 1% solution for instillation into the eyes. The drug is available in bottles equipped with a dropper-dropper, with which it is convenient to determine the required dosage of Tropicamide.
For therapeutic purposes, Tropicamide is used as eye drops six times a day.
It is important for people using contact lenses to pay attention to the fact that the structure of the drug contains benzalkonium chloride, a trace element that is stored on the surface of the lenses and can cause damage to their structure. Before using the medication, lenses must be removed and worn no earlier than fifteen minutes after the procedure. The cost of the drug is 70 rubles.
Cycloptic
The medicine is made in the form of eye drops, the drug is dispensed in dropper bottles of five milliliters. Contraindications for use are: constipation, prostatic hyperplasia, retirement age.
When using Cycloptic, it is important to monitor intraocular pressure. To reduce the likelihood of side effects, after using eye drops, you must press your fingers on the inner corners of the eyes for two minutes.
During instillation of the Cycloptic, people need to refrain from driving and working involving hazardous activities that require increased reaction and attention. The price of Cycloptic is 200 rubles.
Midrimax
A complex drug for topical use in ophthalmology, which dilates the pupil. In addition, it is a cholinergic receptor blocker in conjunction with an adrenergic agonist. Midrimax is dispensed in drugstores in the form of eye drops. It is produced in the form of a clear solution or liquid of a light brown hue. You can buy a drug only with a prescription.
Bakarbon
The drug belongs to antispasmodic drugs. A medicine is produced in the form of tablets for oral use (six in a pack, the number of blisters in a pack: from two to five).
The medication is taken orally, before meals, one tablet two to three times a day. The maximum daily dosage for adults can be up to five tablets per day.
Long-term treatment with Becarbon is not recommended for patients who have kidney stones. Belladonna, which is part of the drug, enhances the negative effects of cardiac glycosides, as well as clonidine. In addition, Belladonna reduces the effectiveness of anticholinesterase drugs. When carrying out treatment with "Bekarbonom" sick person must be especially careful when driving. The price of the drug is 40 rubles.
Opinions
Reviews of medical workers about Atropine indicate the high effectiveness of the drug. The responses indicate an instant effect of the drug and good pupil dilatation for research and surgery.
How to store Atropine?
The drug is prescribed by a doctor. The shelf life of the drug at temperatures up to twenty-five degrees is:
- Solution for injection - 60 months.
- Eye drops - 36 months.
Do not use an expired drug, otherwise the side effects of Atropine can become more serious. The cost of the medicine is only 20 rubles.