SCOPOLAMINE

also called hyoscine alkaloid obtained from a number of plants of the family Solenaceae including the deadly nightshade, henbane, and Jimson weed. Scopolamine is the most pharmacologically active of several alkaloid substances found in belladonna, partly because of its greater solubility, which permits more rapid passage to the site of action. Like atropine, it has a depressant action on parasympathetic nerves and in larger doses on autonomic ganglia. It also has a marked depressant action on the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord), and this is the basis of its main therapeutic uses. Combined with morphine it produces twilight sleep, a state of analgesia and amnesia. This drug combination has been used during childbirth, and similar combinations are used for preoperative medication. Scopolamine taken orally is an effective remedy for motion sickness, probably because of its central depressant and antispasmodic action. It also finds use in controlling the rigidity and tremor of Parkinson's disease. A toxic drug, it is administered only in minute quantities.