Atropine sulfate

General Description

Atropine sulfate (Atropisol)is prepared by neutralizing atropine in acetone or ethersolution with an alcoholic solution of sulfuric acid, withcare used to prevent hydrolysis. The salt occurs as colorlesscrystals or as a white, crystalline powder. It is efflorescentin dry air and should be protected from light to preventdecomposition.Atropine sulfate is freely soluble in water (1:0.5), in alcohol(1:5, 1:2.5 at boiling point), and in glycerin (1:2.5).Aqueous solutions are not very stable, although solutionsmay be sterilized at 120°C (15 lb pressure) in an autoclave if the pH is kept below 6. Sterilization probably is besteffected by the use of aseptic techniques and a bacteriologicalfilter. It has been suggested that no more than a 30-daysupply of an aqueous solution should be made and that forsmall quantities the best procedure is to use hypodermictablets and sterile distilled water. Kondritzer andZvirblis have studied the kinetics of alkaline and protoncatalyzedhydrolyses of atropine in aqueous solution. Theregion of maximal stability lies between pH 3 and approximately5. They have also proposed an equation to predictthe half-life of atropine undergoing hydrolysis at constantpH and temperature.

Safety Profile

Poison by subcutaneous, intravenous, and intraperitoneal routes. Moderately toxic by ingestion. Human (child) pulmonary system effects by ingestion. Human systemic effects: decreased body temperature, cardiac arrhythmias. An experimental teratogen. Other experimental reproductive effects. See also ATROPINE. When heated to decomposition it emits very toxic fumes of NO,xand SOx.

Veterinary Drugs and Treatments

The principal veterinary indications for systemic atropine include: !!Preanesthetic to prevent or reduce secretions of the respiratory tract !!Treat sinus bradycardia, sinoatrial arrest, and incomplete AV block !!Differentiate vagally-mediated bradycardia for other causes !!As an antidote for overdoses of cholinergic agents (e.g., physostigmine, etc.) !!As an antidote for organophosphate, carbamate, muscarinic mushroom, blue-green algae intoxication !!Hypersialism !!Treatment of bronchoconstrictive disease