Atropine Sulfate
Also known as: Atroject, Atropine SA, Atropine L.A., AtroPen, Sal-Tropine
- **Professional Administration**: Parenteral atropine administration is best performed by professional veterinary staff in a setting where adequate cardiac monitoring is available. - **Hydration**: If your animal is receiving atropine systemically, allow free access to water and encourage drinking, as the medication frequently causes a dry mouth. - **Visual Changes**: You may notice your pet's pupils become widely dilated. They may be sensitive to bright lights (photophobia) during this time. - **Monitoring at Home**: Watch for signs of constipation or difficulty urinating, and contact your veterinarian if these occur.
Dosage must be set by your veterinarian for your specific pet. Never give human medication or another pet’s prescription without veterinary guidance.
What it is used for
- Treating organophosphate toxicity
- Treating organophosphate toxicity
- As a preanesthetic adjuvant (geriatric patients)
- As a preanesthetic adjuvant
- As a preanesthetic adjuvant
- During cardiopulmonary cerebral resuscitation (CPCR) efforts
- Treatment of bradycardias
- Treatment of cholinergic toxicity
- As a premed
- As a preanesthetic
- Adjunctive treatment of bovine hypersensitivity disease
- Treatment of cholinergic toxicity (organophosphates)
- Treatment of bradyarrhythmias due to increased parasympathetic tone
How it is given
Possible side effects
- Dry mouth (xerostomia)
- Dysphagia
- Constipation
- Vomiting
- Thirst
- Urinary retention or hesitancy
- CNS stimulation, drowsiness, ataxia, seizures, respiratory depression
- Blurred vision, pupil dilation (mydriasis), cycloplegia, photophobia
- Sinus tachycardia (at higher doses)
- Paradoxical bradycardia (initially or at very low doses)
- Hypertension or hypotension
- Arrhythmias (ectopic complexes)
- Decreased gut motility (can induce colic in horses or rumen stasis in cattle)
Cautions & contraindications
- Narrow-angle glaucoma
- Synechiae (adhesions) between the iris and lens
- Hypersensitivity to anticholinergic drugs
- Tachycardias secondary to thyrotoxicosis or cardiac insufficiency
- Myocardial ischemia
- Unstable cardiac status during acute hemorrhage
- GI obstructive disease or paralytic ileus
- Severe ulcerative colitis
- Obstructive uropathy
- Myasthenia gravis (unless used to reverse adverse muscarinic effects secondary to therapy)
- **General Precautions:** - Use with extreme caution in patients with known or suspected **GI infections**; decreased motility can prolong retention of causative agents or toxins. - Use with extreme caution in patients with **autonomic neuropathy**. - Use cautiously in patients with hepatic or renal disease, geriatric or pediatric patients, hyperthyroidism, hypertension, CHF, tachyarrhythmias, prostatic hypertrophy, or esophageal reflux. **Species-Specific Warnings:** - **Neonates**: Reportedly not effective in treating bradycardias in puppies <14 days old or kittens <11 days old. May damage hypoxic myocardia in neonates. - **Rabbits**: Glycopyrrolate is preferred, as ~40% of rabbits possess endogenous atropinesterase, rendering atropine ineffective. - **Horses**: Systemic use may decrease gut motility and induce colic. May reduce arrhythmogenic doses of epinephrine. - **Cattle**: May result in inappetence and rumen stasis persisting for several days. - **Food Animals**: FARAD recommends a 28-day meat and 6-day milk withdrawal time when used at doses up to 0.2 mg/kg.
Drug interactions
- Amantadine: May enhance the activity or toxicity of atropine
- Anticholinergic agents (other): May enhance the activity or toxicity of atropine
- Antihistamines (e.g., diphenhydramine): May enhance the activity or toxicity of atropine
- Disopyramide: May enhance the activity or toxicity of atropine
- Meperidine: May enhance the activity or toxicity of atropine
- Phenothiazines: May enhance the activity or toxicity of atropine; do not use in atropine overdose
- Procainamide: May enhance the activity or toxicity of atropine
- Primidone: May enhance the activity or toxicity of atropine
- Tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline, clomipramine): May enhance the activity or toxicity of atropine
- Alpha-2 agonists (e.g., dexmedetomidine, medetomidine): Use with alpha-2 blockers may significantly increase arterial blood pressure, heart rates, and the incidence of arrhythmias. Concurrent use is controversial.
Frequently asked questions
What is Atropine Sulfate used for in pets?
- **Professional Administration**: Parenteral atropine administration is best performed by professional veterinary staff in a setting where adequate cardiac monitoring is available. - **Hydration**: If your animal is receiving atropine systemically, allow free access to water and encourage drinking, as the medication frequently causes a dry mouth. - **Visual Changes**: You may notice your pet's pupils become widely dilated. They may be sensitive to bright lights (photophobia) during this time. - **Monitoring at Home**: Watch for signs of constipation or difficulty urinating, and contact your veterinarian if these occur.
Is Atropine Sulfate safe for my pet?
Dosage must be set by your veterinarian for your specific pet. Never give human medication or another pet’s prescription without veterinary guidance.
This article is for general education and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. If your pet is unwell, please consult a veterinarian.
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