Transderm

Oftentimes referred simply as Transderm, Transderm-scop is the brand name of the drug with the generic name scopolamine, also known less as hyoscince. Transderm-scop is a topical prescription drug used to alleviate the conditions that resulted from motion sickness. In a form of a patch, the Transderm-scop is applied beneath and behind the ear, right before the hairline.

General Information

Transderm-scop is scopolamine, a kind of tropane alkaline drug derived from the Solanaceae family of plants. Scopolamine is extremely toxic; enough doses of scopolamine can cause delirium, paralysis, stupor and finally death. But the medicinal value of scopolamine is surprisingly broad, and Transderm-scop’s treatment to the prevention of motion sickness is only one of its lesser uses.

Scopolamine is used in ophthalmology as a drug to induce mydriasis (dilation of the pupil) and cycloplegia (paralysis of the eye muscles), an important function for a good number of diagnostic procedures. By dilating the eye, ophthalmic procedures can take place. Treating iridocyclitis also makes use of scopolamine.

Scopolamine can also be used to depress the central nervous system, making the drug a handy implement for sedating and pre-anesthetic procedures.

In otolaryngology procedures (surgical procedures on areas near the head and the neck), scopolamine is applied to induce anti-sialogogue action, drying the airway tracts prior surgery.

The scopolamine in Transderm-scop is used as anti-vertigo, preventing dizziness, as antiemetic and antispasmodic, preventing vomiting and spasm movements of the stomach. The Transderm-scop is in the form of medicinal patches applied to the rear of the ear, where the patch gradually releases the chemicals. Though it isn’t really clear how the scopolamine in the Transderm-scop alleviates motion sickness condition, it is generally believe that when scopolamine is applied topically behind the ear, the chemical interferes the normal function of the vestibule nerve, a gland in the ear duly responsible for a person’s balance. By blocking the chemical acetylcholine from sending signals in the brain, the person is relieved from dizziness and ultimately the vomiting. In any case, for the Transderm patch to be effective, it is to be applied before the onset of motion sickness.

Prescription

Transderm-scop is prescribe to prevent motion sickness induced dizziness, nausea and vomiting. There is no generic available for Transderm scop. Because of the potential of poisoning, Transderm-scop needs prescription to obtain. The Transderm-scop patch contains 1.5 mg scopolamine, which is released gradually.

Drug Interactions And Known Side Effects Of Scopolamine

Common side effects of scopolamine include drowsiness and the relevant effects like blurred vision, dilation of pupils, tired itchy eyes, and dry mouth. The drug can also contribute in worsening narrow angle glaucoma, a side effect that’s only recently discovered by divers descending to bottoms at 50 to 60 feet. Scopolamine also causes urinating difficulty. If scopolamine is used in junction of any substance or drugs that causes drowsiness, the effects is greatly enhanced. Though generally thought to be very safe in controlled amounts, it is not yet established if whether it is safe to be used by pregnant mothers.

Scopolamine In Popular Culture

Scopolamine aids greatly as a depressant of the central nervous system. But when scopolamine is used in junction with morphine, what happens is that the patient undergoes a state referred to as “Twilight Sleep”, an amnesiac state where the patient lies between waking and sleeping, with no coherent control of his own body.

This spawned the idea of the truth drug, or truth serum, which became a very popular talk during the 1950s. Project MKULTRA was even launched by the CIA in hopes of pursuing the development of this kind of drug. Scopolamine was an important chemical for the truth serum.

By all accounts, Project MKULTRA and the truth serum failed when it was later realize that the drug mixture only induces the passive state but not the reliability of the answers, which more often than not product facts along with fantasy.