scopolamine

noun

sco·​pol·​amine skō-ˈpä-lə-ˌmēn How to pronounce scopolamine (audio)
-mən
: a poisonous alkaloid C17H21NO4 similar to atropine that is found in various solanaceous plants and is used for its anticholinergic effects (such as preventing nausea in motion sickness and inducing mydriasis)

called also hyoscine

Examples of scopolamine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Hospital blood tests revealed the presence of scopolamine and another drug, clonazepam, a depressant. Genevieve Glatsky, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2024 While deaths are relatively rare, authorities in Medellín said the number of robberies involving scopolamine and other sedatives has risen sharply in recent years, though the exact number is unknown, since many victims do not go to the police. Genevieve Glatsky, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2024 Scientists began experimenting with a combination of scopolamine and morphine at the turn of the 20th century. Joe and Teresa Graedon, oregonlive, 28 Aug. 2023 While that sounds innocent enough, Datura stramonium, as it is known in the scientific world, belongs to the deadly nightshade family and contains high levels of anti-cholinergic alkaloids such as scopolamine, hyoscyamine and atropine. Matt Kaplan, Discover Magazine, 20 Jan. 2015 Morphine reduced the pain, and scopolamine ensured that the patient forgot any discomfort that did occur. Joe and Teresa Graedon, oregonlive, 28 Aug. 2023 Note that scopolamine is generally not available for sale in Latin America. Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 14 June 2023 Atropine and scopolamine, powerful hallucinogens, can be found in plants in the nightshade family, among them mandrake, henbane and thorn apple. Andrew Jacobs, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2023 Prescription preventions like scopolamine patches work well, too. Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 14 June 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'scopolamine.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

German Scopolamin, from New Latin Scopolia, genus of plants + German Amin amine

First Known Use

1892, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of scopolamine was in 1892

Dictionary Entries Near scopolamine

Cite this Entry

“Scopolamine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scopolamine. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

scopolamine

noun
sco·​pol·​amine skō-ˈpäl-ə-ˌmēn How to pronounce scopolamine (audio)
: a poisonous substance that is found in some plants of the nightshade family and that is used in medicine (as to prevent nausea or dilate the pupil of the eye)

Medical Definition

scopolamine

noun
sco·​pol·​amine skō-ˈpäl-ə-ˌmēn, -mən How to pronounce scopolamine (audio)
: a poisonous alkaloid C17H21NO4 similar to atropine that is found in various solanaceous plants (as jimsonweed) and is used chiefly in the form of its hydrated hydrobromide C17H21NO4·HBr·3H2O for its anticholinergic effects (as preventing nausea in motion sickness and inducing mydriasis)

called also hyoscine

More from Merriam-Webster on scopolamine

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