The treatment of scopolamine‐induced delirium with physostigmine

Thirty‐three male volunteers were divided into four groups and given 24 mcg. per kilo gram of scopolamine hydrobromide intramuscularly, after which serial physiologic and quantitative mental function studies were done. Maximum scopolamine effects were seen 90 minutes (lfter in;ection. Three of the groups were treated with 50 mcg. per kilogram physostigmine salicylate intramuscularly, one group each at 15, 30, and 90 minutes after the scopolamine. The group treated at 90 minutes had a good therapeutic effect, whereas the groups treated at 30 and 15 minutes had, progressively, less desirable effects. While physostigmine will effectively reverse the delirium produced by scopolamine in humans after it has occtlTred, it is less effective in preventing it. Physostigmine is recommended as an antidote in cases of accidental overdosage of anticholinergic drugs.