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Cyclopentolate  (Ophthalmic)

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Brand Names

In the U.S.—

  • Ak-Pentolate
  • Cyclogyl
  • Cylate
  • Ocu-Pentolate
  • Pentolair

In Canada—

  • Ak-Pentolate
  • Diopentolate
  • Cyclogyl
  • Minims Cyclopentolate

Category


Description

Cyclopentolate (sye-kloe-PEN-toe-late ) is used to dilate (enlarge) the pupil. It is used before eye examinations (such as cycloplegic refraction or ophthalmoscopy).

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 using the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For cyclopentolate, the following should be considered:

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

Pregnancy—Cyclopentolate may be absorbed into the body. However, studies on effects in pregnancy have not been done in either humans or animals.

Breast-feeding—Cyclopentolate may be absorbed into the mother's body. It is not known whether cyclopentolate passes into the breast milk. However, cyclopentolate 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 cyclopentolate. This may increase the chance of side effects during treatment.

Older adults—Elderly people are especially sensitive to the effects of cyclopentolate. 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 cyclopentolate. 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 cyclopentolate 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 cyclopentolate. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

Missed dose—

If you miss a dose of this medicine, apply it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage—

To store this medicine:


Precautions While Using This Medicine

After you apply this medicine to your eyes:

If these side effects continue for longer than 36 hours after you have stopped using this medicine, check with your doctor.


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.


Additional Information

Once a medicine has been approved for marketing for a certain use, experience may show that it is also useful for other medical problems. Although this use is not included in product labeling, cyclopentolate is used in certain patients with the following medical conditions:

Other than the above information, there is no additional information relating to proper use, precautions, or side effects for these uses.


Revised: 08/13/1998

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