A person who discontinues the use of an antimuscarinic agent such as scopolamine may develop withdrawal symptoms. For a person who has been using a dermal patch this may be referred to as post-removal symptoms.
Patient selection: Most patients have been using the drug for at least several days.
Since the half-life of scopolamine is 9.5 hours, onset of symptoms may be 1-2 days after drug discontinuation.
Clinical Features:
(1) dizziness
(2) nausea and vomiting
(3) headache
(4) problems with equilibrium
(5) weakness
(6) bradycardia and hypotension
Differential diagnosis:
(1) process of re-equilibrium on return to a motion-free environment if the person was using the agent for motion sickness, including mal de debarquement
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