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Tropicamide  (Ophthalmic)

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Brand Names

In the U.S.—

  • I-Picamide
  • Mydriacyl
  • Mydriafair
  • Ocu-Tropic
  • Opticyl
  • Spectro-Cyl
  • Tropicacyl

In Canada—

  • Minims Tropicamide
  • Mydriacyl
  • Tropicacyl

Category


Description

Tropicamide ( troe-PIK-a-mide) is used to dilate (enlarge) the pupil so that the doctor can see into the back of your eye. It is used before eye examinations, such as cycloplegic refraction and examination of the fundus of the eye. Tropicamide may also be used before and after eye surgery.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription, in the following dosage form:



Before Using This Medicine

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For tropicamide, the following should be considered:

Allergies—Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to tropicamide. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as preservatives.

Pregnancy—Studies on effects in pregnancy have not been done in either humans or animals.

Breast-feeding—Tropicamide has not been reported to cause problems in nursing babies.

Children—Infants and young children and children with blond hair or blue eyes may be especially sensitive to the effects of tropicamide. This may increase the chance or severity of some of the side effects during treatment.

Older adults—Elderly people are especially sensitive to the effects of tropicamide. This may increase the chance of side effects during treatment.

Other medicines—Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your health care professional if you are using any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Other medical problems—The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of tropicamide. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:


Proper Use of This Medicine

To use:

Use this medicine only as directed. Do not use more of it and do not use it more often than your doctor ordered. To do so may increase the chance of too much medicine being absorbed into the body and the chance of side effects.

Dosing—

The dose of tropicamide will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of tropicamide. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.


Precautions While Using This Medicine

After this medicine is applied to your eyes:


Side Effects of This Medicine

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.



Revised: 07/14/1995

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