Transdermal scopolamine in the treatment of asthma: a preliminary report

The use of atropine has emerged over the past few years as a treatment for asthma. Scopolamine is pharmacologically similar to atropine and, as such, was used in a study of nine patients as a bronchodilator. These nine patients had diverse types of lung diseases. Two patients were intolerant to the medication and were not able to participate in the study. The other seven patients had variable responses with significant improvement in baseline pulmonary function testing occurring in four patients. Five of the seven patients had symptomatic relief and are now employing transdermal scopolamine on a once-every-3-days basis for the treatment of their bronchoconstriction. Baseline testing was performed to indicate response to parasympatholytic medications. Transdermal scopolamine appears to be a safe and effective means of achieving bronchodilation in some patients with asthma.