Comprehensive medication guide to Scopolamine including estimated pricing, availability information, side effects, and how to find it in stock at your local pharmacy.
Estimated Insurance Pricing
$0–$50 copay with most commercial insurance and Medicare Part D plans; generic scopolamine typically covered at Tier 1–2 with no prior authorization required for most plans.
Estimated Cash Pricing
$87–$168 retail per box of 4 patches (72-hour wear each) without insurance; as low as $16.99–$35.50 with GoodRx or SingleCare discount cards at participating pharmacies.
Medfinder Findability Score
40/100
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Scopolamine is a prescription anticholinergic medication used to prevent nausea and vomiting. It belongs to the antimuscarinic drug class and is derived from belladonna alkaloids — a family of compounds with a centuries-long history in medicine. In the United States, the most familiar form is a small transdermal patch worn behind the ear, sold under the brand name Transderm Scop and in generic versions from multiple manufacturers.
Each patch delivers a controlled dose of 1 mg of scopolamine over 72 hours (3 days). It is FDA-approved for two indications: prevention of motion sickness in adults, and prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) as part of an anesthetic plan. It is not a controlled substance and can be prescribed by any licensed provider, including via telehealth.
Scopolamine is currently experiencing an active shortage documented by the ASHP as of early 2026, driven by manufacturer exits and production disruptions. Multiple manufacturers including Rhodes, Viatris, Zydus, and Baxter continue to produce the medication, but supply at individual pharmacies is inconsistent.
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Scopolamine works by competitively blocking muscarinic acetylcholine receptors in the central nervous system — specifically in the vestibular nuclei of the inner ear and in the brain's vomiting center. Acetylcholine is the neurotransmitter that normally carries nausea-triggering signals when the brain detects a mismatch between what your eyes see and what your inner ear senses (the mechanism behind motion sickness).
By blocking these receptors before they can be activated, scopolamine prevents the cascade of signals that would otherwise result in nausea and vomiting. It also reduces gastrointestinal motility and secretion, which contributes to its antiemetic effect. Scopolamine is highly lipophilic (fat-soluble), which allows it to readily cross the blood-brain barrier and act directly on CNS receptors.
The transdermal patch delivers an initial priming dose of 140 micrograms upon skin contact, followed by a steady controlled release of approximately 1 mg over 72 hours. Plasma concentrations become detectable within 4 hours and peak at approximately 24 hours. After the patch is removed, the drug's half-life is 9.5 hours — meaning effects and side effects can persist for 24+ hours after removal.
1 mg/72 hr (1.5 mg total per patch) — Transdermal patch
Applied behind the ear; delivers 140 mcg priming dose then 1 mg over 3 days
1.3 mg/72 hr — Transdermal patch (generic)
Generic formulation from multiple manufacturers; equivalent 1 mg/3-day delivery
Scopolamine patches are currently in active shortage as of early 2026. The ASHP formally lists this as an ongoing shortage: Padagis discontinued its patches in October 2025, and Teva has experienced back orders. While manufacturers including Rhodes, Viatris (Mylan), Zydus, and Baxter's Transderm Scop are producing the medication, distribution to individual pharmacies is inconsistent and unpredictable.
This means patients can often find scopolamine, but not at their nearest or usual pharmacy. Calling multiple pharmacies — including independent pharmacies, which often use different distributors than chain pharmacies — significantly improves the odds of locating it. The shortage is more pronounced during peak travel seasons (summer and winter holidays) when demand surges. Scopolamine has a long history of intermittent availability, with documented shortages dating back to 2018.
The most efficient way to find scopolamine is to use medfinder, which calls pharmacies near you to check which ones have it in stock and texts you the results — eliminating the need to make dozens of calls yourself.
Scopolamine is not a controlled substance and has no DEA scheduling restrictions, making it one of the more accessible prescription medications to obtain. Any licensed prescriber with prescribing authority can write for scopolamine, without the additional DEA registration requirements that apply to scheduled substances. This also means it can be prescribed via telehealth without restriction.
Primary care physicians (PCPs) and family medicine doctors — most common prescribers for motion sickness
Travel medicine specialists — routinely prescribe for cruise and international travelers
Anesthesiologists and surgeons — prescribe for postoperative nausea prevention
OB/GYN physicians — may prescribe for C-section PONV prevention
Nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs) — with full prescribing authority in most states
Emergency medicine physicians — may prescribe for acute vertigo or severe nausea
Telehealth platforms including Teladoc, MDLive, and travel health telehealth services can prescribe scopolamine in most states with same-day or next-day availability. Typical telehealth consultation cost is $30–$75 without insurance. No DEA registration is required for telehealth providers to prescribe scopolamine.
No. Scopolamine is not a controlled substance. The FDA label for Transderm Scop explicitly states that scopolamine is not scheduled by the DEA. This has meaningful practical implications: it can be prescribed via telehealth without any DEA restrictions, filled at standard retail or mail-order pharmacies, and refilled without the special handling requirements that apply to scheduled substances.
While scopolamine does have potential for physical dependence with extended use — withdrawal symptoms can occur after prolonged continuous wear — the FDA has not classified it as a controlled substance because the risk profile does not meet the scheduling criteria under the Controlled Substances Act. However, its potential for misuse (particularly the hydrobromide injectable form) is a recognized concern in some contexts. The transdermal patch formulation, when used as directed for motion sickness or surgical nausea prevention, carries minimal abuse potential.
Most side effects are related to scopolamine's broad anticholinergic mechanism. Common effects include:
Dry mouth (most common)
Drowsiness and sedation
Dizziness
Blurred vision and dilated pupils (especially if patch is touched and eyes rubbed)
Dry skin and decreased sweating
Skin irritation at application site
Hyperthermia (FDA June 2025 warning): Dangerous elevation of body temperature from reduced sweating; cases of death reported, especially in children under 17 and adults over 60
Hallucinations and psychotic-like behavior
Acute angle-closure glaucoma (eye pain, halos, blurred vision — seek emergency care)
Urinary retention
Seizures
Severe allergic reactions
Withdrawal syndrome after extended use (nausea, dizziness, headache, sweating — onset 24+ hours after removal)
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Meclizine (Antivert, Bonine)
OTC antihistamine-anticholinergic; first-line alternative for motion sickness. Less effective for severe cases; 12–24 hr duration vs. 72 hr for scopolamine.
Dimenhydrinate (Dramamine)
OTC antihistamine; effective for motion sickness but requires more frequent dosing (every 4–6 hours) and is more sedating than meclizine.
Ondansetron (Zofran)
Prescription 5-HT3 antagonist; highly effective for PONV in surgical settings but not effective for motion sickness. Different mechanism than scopolamine.
Promethazine (Phenergan)
Prescription phenothiazine antiemetic; effective for both motion sickness and PONV. Available in oral and suppository forms. Significantly more sedating than scopolamine.
Prochlorperazine (Compazine)
Prescription phenothiazine antiemetic; used for nausea and vomiting. Not specifically indicated for motion sickness but may be used as an alternative for PONV.
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Opioids (fentanyl, oxycodone, morphine)
majorBoth increase CNS depression and sedation. Risk of respiratory compromise. Avoid combination or use with extreme caution and monitoring.
Benzodiazepines (diazepam, alprazolam, lorazepam)
majorAdditive CNS depression causing excessive sedation and impaired coordination. Do not drive if using both.
Pramlintide (Symlin)
majorContraindicated. Synergistic inhibition of GI motility; dangerous slowing of digestion and disruption of blood sugar management.
Other anticholinergics (oxybutynin, TCAs, diphenhydramine)
moderateAdditive anticholinergic effects: increased dry mouth, urinary retention, confusion, tachycardia, constipation. Do not combine routinely.
Alcohol
moderateWorsens drowsiness, dizziness, and confusion. Limit or avoid while wearing the patch.
Muscle relaxants (cyclobenzaprine, carisoprodol)
moderateAdditive sedation and anticholinergic effects.
Secretin (diagnostic)
majorScopolamine blocks pancreatic response to secretin test. Discontinue scopolamine at least 5 half-lives (~48 hours) before secretin testing.
Scopolamine remains one of the most effective medications available for motion sickness and postoperative nausea prevention. Its 72-hour continuous delivery via a small behind-the-ear patch is uniquely convenient, and its mechanism of action directly targets the neural pathways responsible for motion-related nausea. For patients who have severe motion sickness or who are at high risk for PONV, it is often the preferred option over OTC antihistamines.
However, the drug's 2025–2026 supply situation requires patients to plan ahead and check multiple pharmacies. The FDA's June 2025 hyperthermia warning means providers and patients must also be more diligent about safety counseling — particularly for vulnerable populations including children and older adults. With proper planning and awareness, scopolamine remains a reliable and effective treatment option.
If you're having trouble finding scopolamine patches at your local pharmacy, medfinder can save you significant time by calling pharmacies near you and texting you which ones have it in stock.
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