Carbachol

Carbachol is a prescription medication used to treat the symptoms of glaucoma and for inhibition of perioperative intraocular pressure. Carbachol may be used alone or with other medications. 

• Carbachol is available under the following different brand names: Miostat 

Common side effects of Carbachol include:

• blurred vision,
• flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling),
• stomach pain,
• headache, and
• a tight feeling in your bladder

Serious side effects of Carbachol include:

• hives,
• difficulty breathing,
• swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat,
• new or sudden vision problems,
• seeing “floaters” in the vision, and
• urination problems

Rare side effects of Carbachol include:

• none 

Seek medical care or call 911 at once if you have the following serious side effects:

• Severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, arm or leg weakness, trouble walking, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady, very stiff muscles, high fever, profuse sweating, or tremors;
• Serious eye symptoms such as sudden vision loss, blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights;
• Serious heart symptoms include fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeats; fluttering in the chest; shortness of breath; sudden dizziness, lightheadedness, or passing out.

This is not a complete list of side effects and other serious side effects or health problems that may occur because of the use of this drug. Call your doctor for medical advice about serious side effects or adverse reactions. You may report side effects or health problems to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Adult dosage

Intraocular solution

• 0.0 1%

Topical solution

• 1.5 %
• 3 %

Glaucoma

• 1-2 drops instilled into conjunctival sac three times daily

Inhibition of Perioperative Intraocular Pressure

• 0.5 mL instilled into the anterior chamber before or after securing sutures

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows: 

• See “Dosages”

If your medical doctor is using this medicine to treat your pain, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider, or pharmacist first.

• Carbachol has severe interactions with no other drugs.
• Carbachol has serious interactions with no other drugs.
• Carbachol has moderate interactions with at least 66 other drugs.
• Carbachol has minor interactions with the following drugs:
  • desipramine
  • donepezil
  • galantamine
  • pantothenic acid
  • procainamide
  • trazodone

This information does not contain all possible interactions or adverse effects. Visit the RxList Drug Interaction Checker for any drug interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist about all your products. Keep a list of all your medications with you and share this information with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your health care professional or doctor for additional medical advice, or if you have health questions or concerns.

Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity
• Acute iritis
• Acute inflammatory disease of the anterior chamber

Effects of drug abuse

• None

Short-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Carbachol?”

Long-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Carbachol?”

Cautions

• Use caution in asthma, acute heart failure, corneal abrasion, hyperthyroidism, urinary tract obstruction, Parkinson's disease, active peptic ulcer, GI spasm
• Does not penetrate the cornea readily, benzalkonium chloride is added in some formulations to enhance corneal penetration (Isopto-Carbachol)
• The topical ophthalmic solution produces transient ocular & frontal headache
• Use with caution in patients undergoing general anesthesia
• The vial stopper contains natural rubber (latex) which may cause severe allergic reactions

Pregnancy and Lactation

• Use with caution if the benefits outweigh the risks during pregnancy.
• Lactation
  • Excretion in milk unknown; use with caution