Scopolamine and Dizziness: What Users Say

• Kat...
• April 15, 2017

Scopolamine for Motion Sickness "My boyfriend has used this patch many times with success, but had slight side effects-mostly blurred vision. I tried it a couple of years ago for our cruise, and I had almost every side effect there is to have! I started off almost immediately having blurred vision, and my eyes became majorly sensitive to the sunlight. Then I started having a very dry throat (hard time swallowing food), dizziness, and my stomach would gurgle (it was weird). I took the patch off when one of the passengers said she got really sick from it. After I took it off, I was okay for about 24 hours, and then the real scare happened! I almost completely lost my vision, I could barely see straight and was very dizzy for weeks! This should NOT be on the market!"

• Anonymous
• May 12, 2011

Scopolamine for Motion Sickness "I used this on my first cruise, and it worked great. It was a week-long cruise, so I used two patches (each one lasts three days, and the last day was the travel home, so I was no longer on the ship). Like many others who have posted here, I had pretty bad side effects that came on almost exactly 24 hours after I removed the second patch -- mostly vertigo and nausea. They lasted 72 hours, the length of one patch dose. I have read that you should only use the patch for one dose, the first three days, long enough to tide you over until your body is used to the constant motion, and that the withdrawals only happen if you keep going past that first three days."

• Anonymous
• October 10, 2011

Scopolamine for Motion Sickness "Wife used the patch, 2 or 3 of them, for an 8-day cruise. She had no sea sickness, but had bad withdrawals. 24 hrs after removing the patch, she has nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and blurred vision, absolutely miserable for her, and me too."

• Vic...
• November 6, 2013

Scopolamine for Motion Sickness "First time I used the patch, I only started using it 2 hours before the flight and took it off as soon as I got to the place I was staying - about 11 hours. I was very sick for 2 weeks - nauseous and vomiting when in a vehicle. I was alright on the flight but not after I took off the patch. The second time I used it, my auntie who introduced me to the Transderm-Scop patch told me I have to leave it on for 3 days and only take it off for a shower and put it back on the same place, making sure it's dry first. This time I was good. Never felt dizzy or nauseous after 3 days of using it. I never use the patch for more than 3 days and only use half of the patch as it is a small round one. Been using it 4 times since 2005 and it is a lifesaver."

• spi...
• September 26, 2016

Scopolamine for Motion Sickness "While this medication did take away my travel sickness, I had blurred vision all week and now severe blurred vision 3 days after removing the patch, and I did wash my hands after applying each patch. I was extremely thirsty the entire week, extreme dry mouth. Approximately 24 hours after removing the patch, I felt so dizzy and severely nauseous for 2 days. I was vomiting the first of those 2 days. I should have heeded everyone's warnings about this toxic medication! I will never go near it again!"

• Don...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 6, 2020

For Motion Sickness "I cannot believe the doctor even prescribed this without telling me the risk of side effects. As someone said above, if I could give it a zero, I would. The patch kept me from vomiting but gave me so many negative side effects it was not worth it at all. It’s been almost a week since the patch was removed. I’ve had dizziness, blurred vision, stomach cramps, muscle aches, and feel completely disoriented mentally."

• Mer...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 9, 2019

For Motion Sickness "Horrible! Do not use!! I used this to help me with motion sickness for cruises. It did help with the motion sickness, but I had such a dry mouth I couldn't enjoy the food, and it affected my vision, so I couldn't see to read anything. I ended up going without my glasses and contacts, which meant I could see up close but not far away. After taking the patch off, I had severe nausea and dizziness, all I could do for 2 days was sleep. I lost 10 lbs in 3 days and still feel nauseous. This patch needs to come with more information on the withdrawal symptoms. I will never cruise again and will definitely not use this patch ever!!!"

• Gig...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 5, 2020

For Nausea/Vomiting "Do not take scopolamine! It feels like it is poisoning my body. I was given the transdermal patch during an ER visit for un-retractable Ménière’s disease, vertigo, and vomiting. I had never heard of the med before. The doctor said it was a safe option that worked fast. It stopped my vomiting instantly along with making me so drowsy I couldn’t stand and had to be wheeled to the car. I slept for 48 hours straight, while just having the energy to make it to the bathroom. I removed the patch after 48 hours and proceeded to get dry heaves, a horrible rash on my hands and feet (like I had been burned). Anxiety, hallucinations, insomnia, eye pain, dizziness, body aches, and muscle spasms. Still in bed suffering. I can’t imagine what would have happened if I left the patch on for the additional allotted day."

• Ros...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 27, 2019

For Nausea/Vomiting "If 0 was an option, I’d give it that score. I got this patch put behind my ear before surgery, and it helped my nausea and vomiting upon waking up from anesthesia. After I had taken it off 72 hours later, my pupils were extremely dilated, and I could not see at all since my vision was so blurry. The vertigo sensation is terrible, as it feels like I’m rocking back and forth on a boat. The nausea is terrible now too! I wasn’t told of any of these side effects and would have never had this put on if I knew! I told my doctor about it a day after removing the first patch (because I didn’t know my symptoms were from withdrawal), and he prescribed ANOTHER patch for me to take! Out of confusion on what was wrong with me and being so sick from my symptoms, I wore another patch for another 3 days! My lesson is being learned the hard way. Hoping I’ll get better and back to normal sooner than later. All of these terrible withdrawal symptoms are NOT worth wearing that patch! Never again!!"

• WRK...
• November 30, 2015

Scopolamine for Motion Sickness "I have suffered from motion sickness my entire life on boats, in cars, and on amusement rides. I have used OTC medicines like Dramamine, but the side effect of sleepiness was so overpowering, I couldn't even enjoy the activity. I recently heard of this wonder drug called Transderm and, after reading reviews and speaking to a pharmacist, I decided to put it to the test at Tampa Bay Busch Gardens. WOW!!!!! I had the best time ever. I rode every ride, and only one of them made me feel a LITTLE dizzy and nauseous during and briefly after. I did feel a bit drowsy as well for about five minutes, but this was minor. The dry mouth was probably the biggest side effect I experienced. Overall, it was a success, and I would use it again."

• Nat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 13, 2020

For Motion Sickness "I’m so glad I got worried and decided to always look up whatever is being put into my body. I had the patch on for a couple of hours before I took it off and then tried it on again 1 hour after taking it off. I called my pharmacy and complained of racing heart and not really being able to see. So they advised that I take it off and keep it off. I took it off and my memory went to crap a couple of hours later with some dizziness and difficulties reading. I don’t know what’s going to happen to me now, but I hope my withdrawals will be nonexistent or only a week at the most. This is why I just never trust anyone automatically, and you shouldn’t either. Reading all these stories makes me feel VERY lucky that I took it off after about 4 hours of having it on."

• Nev...
• May 20, 2015

Scopolamine for Motion Sickness "I applied Transderm-Scop in the middle of the night anticipating a fishing trip in the AM. When I awoke in the morn, I was all sorts of dizzy, staggering, dry mouth, and generally screwed up. Needless to say, I did not fish. Instead, I will use Bonine or Dramamine in the future."

• Nev...
• May 20, 2015

Scopolamine for Motion Sickness "I applied Transderm-Scop in the middle of the night anticipating a fishing trip in the AM. When I awoke in the morn, I was all sorts of dizzy, staggering, dry mouth, and generally screwed up. Needless to say, I did not fish. Instead, I will use Bonine or Dramamine in the future."

• Anonymous
• July 30, 2009

Scopolamine for Motion Sickness "I used this for my 8-day cruise. It is the only thing that has ever worked for me. The only problem I had was when I came home and took it off. Twenty-four hours later, I had horrible side effects (headache, stomach, dizzy). Bottom line, I would do it again so that I could enjoy a motion-sick-free cruise vacation."

• Ash...
• March 6, 2018

For Motion Sickness "I have now had two experiences taking this patch. The first time was for a three-day boat excursion. I get motion sickness really bad, so I had a patch for the duration of our trip and was totally fine. I was so impressed with the patch and would have sworn by it. However! I just used it again for the second time this past weekend, and I have been completely miserable ever since. I took it due to a trip to Disneyland and Universal Studios, and I wanted to be able to ride the rides. Not only did it not work, but I felt nauseous, dizzy, lightheaded, and had extremely bad blurred vision by the end of the trip. My mouth got so dry I could barely swallow. It’s as if any moisture throughout my mouth and esophagus has been sucked dry. I was scared to eat because it felt like I was going to choke. I’ve had the patch off for almost 48 hours and am still bedridden from headaches, nausea, paranoia, memory loss, and just an all-around mental confusion. I’m out of work and miserable."

• Kim...
• September 3, 2014

For Motion Sickness "I have used Kimite patches on 3 separate occasions. The first time I used multiple patches for 8 consecutive days with no side effects while wearing the patch, however, for the week following removal, I experienced dizziness and headaches. On the second and third occasions, I only used one patch for a duration of 3 days each time (which is a patch's maximum longevity), and I had no side effects. I still rate this medication highly, as without my Kimite, I wouldn't be able to travel long distances due to the severity of my motion sickness."

• Swe...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 11, 2020

For Motion Sickness "My husband and I used these scopolamine patches for a 6-day cruise. They worked great for him (and he usually gets terrible motion sickness), but I experienced awful side effects. I was dizzy all the time (I almost fell down the stairs, it was so bad), had cotton mouth really bad, and my pupils were extremely dilated. As a result, I was super light-sensitive and couldn't read anything. I took the patch off after 24 hours, and it took another 12-16 hours for the blurred vision to subside. I still felt dizzy for another 24 hours or so. Fortunately, I didn't get seasick on the cruise, and neither did my husband, so I guess they work. I just don't think I'll try them again. The side effects were not worth it to me!"

• Kel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 30, 2020

Scopolamine for Nausea/Vomiting "2 times I have used this patch, and both times have been a nightmare. Developed vertigo and had all of the side effects, such as blurred vision, dry mouth, and serious nauseousness and vomiting for 2 weeks. 2nd time developed Bell’s palsy and vomiting and nauseousness again. Will never use again. I followed the usage instructions exactly... still recovering."

• Ano...
• March 6, 2021

For Nausea/Vomiting "I've had a horrible experience with this patch. I had a minor back surgery, and the patch was placed behind my left ear, but no instructions were given. The day after surgery, I tried to go for a walk, but when I stepped outside, everything became extremely bright and discolored, and I was disoriented. I noticed one dilated pupil. I took the patch off after having it on for 32 hours. The next day, I felt incredibly weak, tired, dizzy, lightheaded, with blurry vision, anxious, nervous, and had a headache. I ended up going to the ER when the symptoms continued. They seemed to be clueless about all these side effects from the patch. It's day three now, and I'm still having issues. I tried to take a quick walk, didn't even go a block, and I felt like my legs were going to give out, and like I was going to have a panic attack. The last thing I need after back surgery is being dizzy and off balance. This medicine is dangerous. I can't believe doctors aren't more up to speed about the debilitating side effects."

• too...
• September 16, 2019

For Nausea/Vomiting "After using the scopolamine patch as directed for post-operative nausea, I removed the patch after 72 hours. Within 24 hours of removal, I got severe shakes, intense nausea and vertigo, and severe dizziness to the point where I am unable to stand. I told my surgeon about these symptoms and was advised to go to an emergency room. The risks of this drug do NOT outweigh the benefits."

• too...
• September 16, 2019

For Nausea/Vomiting "After using the scopolamine patch as directed for post-operative nausea, I removed the patch after 72 hours. Within 24 hours of removal, I got severe shakes, intense nausea and vertigo, and severe dizziness to the point where I am unable to stand. I told my surgeon about these symptoms and was advised to go to an emergency room. The risks of this drug do NOT outweigh the benefits."

• Deb...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 31, 2018

For Motion Sickness "I used the patch for a four-day cruise. I put the first patch on Thursday, the day we left port, left it on for three days, then removed it on Sunday and put on a new patch. I took that patch off on Monday when we hit land. The scopolamine patch worked great while on the ship, I did not have any motion sickness. However, about 8 hours after removing the patch, I started having very blurry vision, followed by dizziness, nausea, palpitations, and fatigue. Requiring two days off work because I could not drive or read close print. After 2 days, symptoms resolved. I would use this patch again, but for a four-day cruise, I would leave on the first patch for one week and let the dose gradually decrease to avoid the scopolamine withdrawal symptoms I experienced, which were quite debilitating."

• PON...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 28, 2016

For Nausea/Vomiting "This patch gave me very scary side effects like blurred vision, extreme dizziness, paranoia, and extreme numb tingling of my extremities. I wore it for less than 24 hours. Didn't even help with the post-op nausea."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 16, 2012

Scopolamine for Motion Sickness "Second time I have used, first was for a 3-day cruise this time for 5. I was OK while wearing it, but a few hours after I took it off, I got dizzy and very nauseated with blurred vision. Dramamine helped some. Next day I felt awful but ran a half marathon and ended up in urgent care because I was so nauseated after, and my arms were tingling. He gave me meclizine, which has helped some, but it's still going in 4 days later. Hoping it ends soon."

• Fil...
• June 2, 2017

For Nausea/Vomiting "Had surgery, and they had me put this on to minimize secretions and for nausea. It worked amazingly while it was on as I was taking pain meds and went under general anesthesia. I was suffering from very bad vision, though, and it was quite alarming how I couldn't even read simple things. The day I took it off, I threw up multiple times and had EXTREME nausea and dizziness. For two days straight, I slept all day and night because it was too miserable to be awake. It took a good three or more days for me to not feel nauseous anymore. My mom also experienced a similar rebound effect. It works well for while you're on it, but be careful because some people get these adverse effects like me!"