Cyclopentolate, Ophthalmic
sy-kloh-PEN-toh-late
What are other names for this medicine?
Type of medicine: ophthalmic anticholinergic
Generic and brand names: cyclopentolate, ophthalmic; AK-Pentolate; Cyclogyl; Pentolair;
What is this medicine used for?
This medicine is put in the eyes to dilate the pupils for eye exams or for surgery. It is also used to relieve pain caused by inflammation in the eye.
What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?
Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:
- an allergic reaction to any medicine
- Down syndrome
- glaucoma or other eye disease
Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.
How do I use it?
Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed by your healthcare provider. Do not use more or use more often than directed. Using too much of this medicine may cause increased redness and irritation in the eye.
Wash your hands before and after putting medicine in your eyes.
Tilt your head back, and gently pull your lower eyelid down to form a pouch. Hold the dropper directly above your eye, look up, and squeeze a drop of the medicine into the pouch. Close your eyes for 2 or 3 minutes and press gently on the inside corner of your eye with a fingertip to keep the medicine from draining out.
Do not rub your eyes. To keep from contaminating the medicine, do not let the tip of the dropper touch your eye or any other surface. Do not rinse the dropper. After use, put the cap on tightly. Do not use the medicine if it becomes discolored.
If you wear contact lenses, ask your healthcare provider if you can continue to wear them while you are using this medicine.
What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and use the next one as directed. Do not use double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.
What if I overdose?
If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.
Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: dry mouth, fast heartbeat, seizures, hallucinations, nervousness, drowsiness, loss of coordination.
What should I watch out for?
This medicine widens your pupils, so your eyes will be more sensitive to bright light. Wear dark glasses outdoors.
This medicine may cause temporary blurring of your vision. Do not drive or operate machinery until you can see clearly.
You should be able to see normally within 24 hours after receiving this medicine. Contact your healthcare provider is your vision does not improve or gets worse.
Do not use this medicine for other eye conditions unless your healthcare provider approves. Do not share eye medicines with others.
Be sure to tell your healthcare provider if you are using any other medicines in your eyes. You may need to allow some time between applications of these products or to stop using the other medicines.
Infants and children may be sensitive to this medicine and at greater risk for side effects. Watch infants and children closely for 30 minutes after administering this medicine. Babies may also have trouble feeding after receiving this medicine. It is best to not feed a baby for 4 hours after this medicine.
What are the possible side effects?
Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.
Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Any new redness, irritation, or swelling that develops while you are using the medicine; fast or irregular heartbeat; blurred vision; severe eye pain; fever; severe confusion; trouble urinating; hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not real); seizures; unusual drowsiness; swollen or bloated stomach (especially in babies); trouble walking; rash; itching.
Other: Mild, temporary stinging or blurred vision after applying the medicine; sensitivity to light; tearing; dry mouth.
What products might interact with this medicine?
When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:
- anticholinergic medicines such as benztropine (Cogentin), dicyclomine (Bentyl), atropine sulfate, belladonna, propantheline (Pro-Banthine), methscopolamine (Pamine), l-hyoscyamine (Levsin, Levsinex), amantadine (Symmetrel), procyclidine (Kemadrin), and trihexyphenidyl
- antihistamines such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl), hydroxyzine (Atarax, Vistaril), and chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton)
- any other medicines or products that you use in your eye(s), including echothiophate iodide (Phospholine Iodide), carbachol (Carbastat, Miostat), and pilocarpine (Pilopine HS)
- MAO inhibitor antidepressants such as phenelzine (Nardil), tranylcypromine (Parnate), and isocarboxazid (Marplan) (Do not take this medicine and an MAO inhibitor within 14 days of each other.)
- phenothiazines such as chlorpromazine (Sonazine, Thorazine), prochlorperazine (Compazine), perphenazine, promazine, promethazine (Phenergan), thioridazine, and trifluoperazine (Stelazine)
- tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline, nortriptyline (Aventyl, Pamelor), imipramine (Tofranil), and doxepin (Sinequan)
Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.
How should I store this medicine?
Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.
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This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.
Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.
Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Do not share medicines with other people.
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Published by RelayHealth.
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