Atropine Injection
Generic Name
Atropine sulfate
Indications/Uses
Atropine injection is normally used to reduce salivary and bronchial secretions prior to anesthesia before surgery, and to manage abnormal bronchial secretions associated with diarrhea. It could also be used in managing abnormal heart beats, low blood pressure, vomiting caused by motion sickness, labored breathing and acute myocardial infarction. This medication is commonly applied to deal with instances of cholinergic poisoning like insecticide or mushroom poisoning. Atropine is normally known as an anticholinergic agent that acts on the central brain and its peripheries. It causes the relaxation of smooth muscles and nerves by hindering the action of acetylcholine, a naturally occurring chemical within the body.
Precautions
Animals with known allergy to the drug and those with gastrointestinal infections should never be administered Atropine. It is also not recommended for animals suffering from inflammatory bowel syndrome or glaucoma. Extreme caution is required while administering Atropine in pets with rapid heart rates or with impaired kidney, heart or liver function.Atropine might react with certain other medications like antihistamines, meperidine, diazepam, metoclopramide and procainamide; start treatment only after making sure that the current medications of the pet do not adversely interact with atropine.
Side Effects
Some side effects include dry mouth, constipation, hyperactivity, hazy vision. drowsiness or unsteadiness; the dry mouth effect might make some animals to drink excess water while on Atropine treatment.
Dosage Information
Atropine is presented in 100 ml Sterile Multiple Dose Vials of .05 mg, 0.1 mg, 0.4mg, 0.8 mg and 1 mg. The recommended dosage is injection of 1 ml for each 20 lbs of body weight. 1/4 of the dosage could be injected I.V. and remainder intramuscular or subcutaneous. While Atropine is used as an antiodote for parasymphathomimetic drugs, a dosage of 1 ml for each 7.5 lbs of body weight could be used.
Brand Names
Atrophate, Atroject