Pharmacology · Autonomic Nervous System (Cholinergic, Anticholinergic, Sympathomimetics, Sympatholytics)

A traveller prone to vomiting during bus journeys asks for preventive therapy. Which centrally acting antimuscarinic agent, delivered as a transdermal patch behind the ear, is the classic choice for prophylaxis of motion sickness?

  • A Atropine
  • B Ipratropium
  • C Scopolamine
  • D Glycopyrrolate
Correct answer: C. Scopolamine

Explanation

Scopolamine is the most effective single drug for motion sickness prophylaxis. Its high lipid solubility allows central access to vestibular pathways and the vomiting centre, where muscarinic transmission contributes to nausea. Transdermal delivery reduces the prominent anticholinergic side effects seen with oral dosing. Ipratropium and glycopyrrolate are quaternary compounds confined to the periphery, and atropine is not used for this indication.

Reference: Goodman and Gilman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, 14th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.

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