Interaction of alcohol and transdermally administered scopolamine

In a placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind cross-over study in 12 healthy volunteers the effect of acute alcohol intake during treatment with transdermally administered scopolamine (TTS-scopolamine) was investigated. One group of six subjects reached maximal blood alcohol concentrations (BAC) of 80 mg/dL and another group of six subjects a BAC of 130 mg/dL. There was no significant potentiation of alcohol effects on critical flicker fusion frequency by TTS-scopolamine. Sensorimotor function (choice reaction task) was also not significantly more influence by the combination. There was no effect of scopolamine on the elimination of alcohol. The urinary excretion of scopolamine was not influenced by oral intake of alcohol. TTS-scopolamine caused only minor side effects in a few volunteers, such as dry mouth (2 of 12) and blurred vision (1 of 12).