2.1 General Administration

Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration, whenever solution and container permit. Do not administer unless solution is clear and seal is intact. Each vial is intended for single dose only. Discard unused portion.  

For intravenous administration.  

Titrate based on heart rate, PR interval, blood pressure and symptoms.  

2.2 Adult Dosage

Table 1: Recommended Dosage

2.3 Pediatric Dosage

Dosing in pediatric populations has not been well studied. Usual initial dose is 0.01 to 0.03 mg/kg. 

2.4 Dosing in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease

Limit the total dose of atropine sulfate to 0.03 to 0.04 mg/kg [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].

5.1 Tachycardia

When the recurrent use of atropine is essential in patients with coronary artery disease, the total dose should be restricted to 2 to 3 mg (maximum 0.03 to 0.04 mg/kg) to avoid the detrimental effects of atropine-induced tachycardia on myocardial oxygen demand. 

5.2 Acute Glaucoma

Atropine may precipitate acute glaucoma. 

5.3 Pyloric Obstruction

Atropine may convert partial organic pyloric stenosis into complete obstruction. 

5.4 Complete Urinary Retention

Atropine may lead to complete urinary retention in patients with prostatic hypertrophy. 

5.5 Viscid Plugs

Atropine may cause inspissation of bronchial secretions and formation of viscid plugs in patients with chronic lung disease.

7.1 Mexiletine

Atropine Sulfate Injection decreased the rate of mexiletine absorption without altering the relative oral bioavailability; this delay in mexiletine absorption was reversed by the combination of atropine and intravenous metoclopramide during pretreatment for anesthesia.

8.1 Pregnancy

Risk Summary 

There are risks to the mother and fetus associated with untreated severe or life-threatening muscarinic events (see Clinical Considerations). Available data from published observational studies on atropine use in pregnant women are insufficient to evaluate for a drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage, or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes (see Data). Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with atropine. 

Clinical Considerations 

Disease-associated maternal and/or embryo/fetal risk 

Severe or life-threatening muscarinic events such as acute organophosphate poisoning and symptomatic bradycardia are medical emergencies in pregnancy which can be fatal if left untreated. Life-sustaining therapy for the pregnant woman should not be withheld because of concerns regarding the effects of atropine on the fetus. 

Data 

Human Data

Atropine crosses the placenta [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)]. No adequate and well-controlled studies are available regarding use of atropine in pregnant women. In a cohort study of 401 pregnancies in the first trimester and 797 pregnancies in the second or third trimester, atropine use was not associated with an increased risk of congenital malformation. In a surveillance study, 381 newborns were exposed to atropine during the first trimester; 18 major birth defects were observed when 16 were expected. No specific pattern of major birth defects was identified. In another surveillance study of 50 pregnancies in the first trimester, atropine use was not associated with an increased risk of malformations. Methodological limitations of these observational studies including the inability to control for the dosage and timing of atropine exposure, underlying maternal disease, or concomitant maternal drug use, cannot definitively establish or exclude any drug associated risk during pregnancy.

8.2 Lactation

Risk Summary 

Trace amounts of atropine have been reported in human milk after oral intake. There are no   available data on atropine levels in human milk after intravenous injection, the effects on the breastfed infant, or the effects on milk production.  

Clinical Considerations 

Minimizing exposure

The elimination half-life of atropine is more than doubled in children less than 2 years of age [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)]. To minimize potential infant exposure to Atropine Sulfate Injection, a woman may pump and discard her milk for 24 hours after use before resuming to breastfeed her infant.

8.4 Pediatric Use

Recommendations for use in pediatric patients are not based on clinical trials.

8.5 Geriatric Use

An evaluation of current literature revealed no clinical experience identifying differences in response between elderly and younger patients. In general, dose selection for an elderly patient should be cautious, usually starting at the low end of the dosing range, reflecting the greater frequency of decreased hepatic, renal, or cardiac function, and of concomitant disease or other drug therapy.

12.1 Mechanism of Action

Atropine is an antimuscarinic agent since it antagonizes the muscarine-like actions of acetylcholine and other choline esters. 

Atropine inhibits the muscarinic actions of acetylcholine on structures innervated by postganglionic cholinergic nerves, and on smooth muscles which respond to endogenous acetylcholine but are not so innervated. As with other antimuscarinic agents, the major action of atropine is a competitive or surmountable antagonism which can be overcome by increasing the concentration of acetylcholine at receptor sites of the effector organ (e.g., by using anticholinesterase agents which inhibit the enzymatic destruction of acetylcholine). The receptors antagonized by atropine are the peripheral structures that are stimulated or inhibited by muscarine (i.e., exocrine glands and smooth and cardiac muscle). Responses to postganglionic cholinergic nerve stimulation also may be inhibited by atropine, but this occurs less readily than with responses to injected (exogenous) choline esters.

12.2 Pharmacodynamics

Atropine-induced parasympathetic inhibition may be preceded by a transient phase of stimulation, especially on the heart where small doses first slow the rate before characteristic tachycardia develops due to paralysis of vagal control. Atropine exerts a more potent and prolonged effect on heart, intestine and bronchial muscle than scopolamine, but its action on the iris, ciliary body and certain secretory glands is weaker than that of scopolamine. Unlike the latter, atropine in clinical doses does not depress the central nervous system but may stimulate the medulla and higher cerebral centers. Although mild vagal excitation occurs, the increased respiratory rate and (sometimes) increased depth of respiration produced by atropine are more probably the result of bronchiolar dilatation. Accordingly, atropine is an unreliable respiratory stimulant and large or repeated doses may depress respiration. 

Adequate doses of atropine abolish various types of reflex vagal cardiac slowing or asystole. The drug also prevents or abolishes bradycardia or asystole produced by injection of choline esters, anticholinesterase agents or other parasympathomimetic drugs, and cardiac arrest produced by stimulation of the vagus. Atropine also may lessen the degree of partial heart block when vagal activity is an etiologic factor. In some patients with complete heart block, the idioventricular rate may be accelerated by atropine; in others, the rate is stabilized. Occasionally a large dose may cause atrioventricular (A-V) block and nodal rhythm. 

Atropine Sulfate Injection, USP in clinical doses counteracts the peripheral dilatation and abrupt decrease in blood pressure produced by choline esters. However, when given by itself, atropine does not exert a striking or uniform effect on blood vessels or blood pressure. Systemic doses slightly raise systolic and lower diastolic pressures and can produce significant postural hypotension. Such doses also slightly increase cardiac output and decrease central venous pressure. Occasionally, therapeutic doses dilate cutaneous blood vessels, particularly in the "blush" area (atropine flush), and may cause atropine "fever" due to suppression of sweat gland activity in infants and small children. 

The effects of intravenous atropine on heart rate (maximum heart rate) and saliva flow (minimum flow) after intravenous administration (rapid, constant infusion over 3 min.) are delayed by 7 to 8 minutes after drug administration and both effects are non-linearly related to the amount of drug in the peripheral compartment. Changes in plasma atropine levels following intramuscular administration (0.5 to 4 mg doses) and heart rate are closely overlapped but the time course of the changes in atropine levels and behavioral impairment indicates that pharmacokinetics is not the primary rate-limiting mechanism for the central nervous system effect of atropine.

12.3 Pharmacokinetics

Atropine disappears rapidly from the blood following injection and is distributed throughout the body. Exercise, both prior to and immediately following intramuscular administration of atropine, significantly increases the absorption of atropine due to increased perfusion in the muscle and significantly decreases the clearance of atropine. The pharmacokinetics of atropine is nonlinear after intravenous administration of 0.5 to 4 mg. Atropine's plasma protein binding is about 44% and saturable in the 2-20 µg/mL concentration range. Atropine readily crosses the placental barrier and enters the fetal circulation, but is not found in amniotic fluid. Much of the drug is destroyed by enzymatic hydrolysis, particularly in the liver; from 13 to 50% is excreted unchanged in the urine. Traces are found in various secretions, including milk. The major metabolites of atropine are noratropine, atropin-n-oxide, tropine, and tropic acid. The metabolism of atropine is inhibited by organophosphate pesticides.

Specific Populations 

The elimination half-life of atropine is more than doubled in children under two years and the elderly (>65 years old) compared to other age groups. There is no gender effect on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics (heart rate changes) of atropine.

13.1 Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility

Studies have not been performed to evaluate the carcinogenic or mutagenic potential of atropine or its potential to affect fertility adversely.