MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL

Department of Pharmacy

Department of Nursing

Critical Care

Generic Name: Atropine
Trade Name:  
Action: Anticholinergic Agent
Indications: Bradyarrhythmias

Digoxin Overdose

Anticholinesterase overdose

Administration Guidelines:
Usual Dosage Range and Route: Dose: 0.5 to 1.0 mg IVP

* MAY BE ADMINISTERED WITHOUT A PHYSICIANS' ORDER

DURING AN UNANTICIPATED EPISODE OF SYMPTOMATIC BRADYCARDIA *

Suggested Dosing Schedule:

0.5 mg EVERY 5 MINUTES UP TO A TOTAL OF 2 mg

In a 24 hour period: 4.0 mg < 50 years

3.0 mg > 50 years

# Anticholinesterase overdose: 2-4mg every 5 to 10 minutes until muscarinic symptoms disappear, up to 200mg total dose on 1st day.

Special Considerations: - Administration of doses less than 0.5 mg may produce paradoxical bradycardia

- Side effects may be observed for 12 to 36 hours after administration

- Should be used with caution in patients with closed angle glaucoma

Precautions and Side Effects: - Sustained hypertension

- Increased intracranial pressure

- Tachycardia, angina

- Urinary retention

- Constipation

- Anticholinergic side effects:

flushed skin, dry mouth, mydriasis, blurred vision, delirium

#Notify pharmacy, treatment may deplete hospital inventory.

 

Rev:9/00