Proparacaine Ophthalmic

Proparacaine Ophthalmic is used for procedures in which a topical ophthalmic anesthetic is indicated: corneal anesthesia of short duration, e.g. tonometry, gonioscopy, removal of corneal foreign bodies, and for short corneal and conjunctival procedures.

• Proparacaine Ophthalmic is available under the following different brand names: Alcaine, Ophthaine, Ophthetic.

Common side effects of Proparacaine Ophthalmic include:

• eye irritation
• stinging
• burning
• redness
• tearing
• increased blinking

Serious side effects of Proparacaine Ophthalmic include:

• hives
• difficulty breathing
• swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• blurred vision
• redness of the eye
• sensitivity to light
• tearing of the eye
• throbbing eye pain
• bloody eye
• stinging or itching of the eye
• change in vision

Rare side effects of Proparacaine Ophthalmic 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, coordination loss, 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 and pediatric dosage

Ophthalmic solution

• 0.5%

Foreign bodies & suture removal

Adult and pediatric dosage

• 1-2 drops in eye(s) just prior to procedures

Deep ophthalmic anesthesia

Adult and pediatric dosage

• 1 drop 5-10 min for 5-7 doses total

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.

• Proparacaine Ophthalmic has no noted severe interactions with any other drugs
• Proparacaine Ophthalmic has no noted serious interactions with any other drugs
• Proparacaine Ophthalmic has no noted moderate interactions with any other drugs
• Proparacaine Ophthalmic has no noted minor interactions with any other drugs

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 the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you and share this information with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your healthcare professional or doctor for additional medical advice, health questions, or concerns.

Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity to anesthetics (ester type)

Effects of drug abuse

• None

Short-Term Effects

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

Long-Term Effects

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

Cautions

• Use with caution and sparingly in patients with known allergies, cardiac disease, or hyperthyroidism
• Any topical anesthetic can damage corneal epithelium; prolonged use is not recommended

Pregnancy and Lactation

• Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks.
• Lactation
  • Not known if distributed in milk; use caution