Atropine Eye Ointment

In the U.S.

• AK-Dilate
• AK-Pentolate
• Altafrin
• Atropine Care
• Cyclogyl
• Cyclomydril
• Eye Cool
• Homatropaire
• Isopto Atropine
• Isopto Homatropine
• Isopto Hyoscine
• Mydfrin
• Mydral
• Mydriacyl
• Neofrin
• Neo-Synephrine
• Omidria
• Paremyd

In Canada

• Ak-Dilate
• Ak-Pentolate
• Atropine
• Atropine-Ak
• Atropine Eye Ointment
• Atropine Ointment
• Atropisol
• Minims Phenylephrine Hydrochloride

Available Dosage Forms:

• Ointment
• Solution

This section provides information on the proper use of a number of products that contain atropine, homatropine, and scopolamine. It may not be specific to Atropine Eye Ointment. Please read with care.

To use the ophthalmic solution (eye drops) form of this medicine:

• First, wash your hands. Tilt the head back and, pressing your finger gently on the skin just beneath the lower eyelid, pull the lower eyelid away from the eye to make a space. Drop the medicine into this space. Let go of the eyelid and gently close the eyes. Do not blink. Keep the eyes closed and apply pressure to the inner corner of the eye with your finger for 2 or 3 minutes to allow the medicine to be absorbed by the eye.
• Immediately after using the eye drops, wash your hands to remove any medicine that may be on them. If you are using the eye drops for an infant or child, be sure to wash his or her hands immediately afterwards also, and do not let any of the medicine get in his or her mouth. In addition, wipe off any medicine that may have accidentally gotten on the infant or child, including his or her face or eyelids.
• To keep the medicine as germ-free as possible, do not touch the applicator tip to any surface (including the eye). Also, keep the container tightly closed.

To use the ointment form of this medicine:

• First, wash your hands. Tilt the head back and, pressing your finger gently on the skin just beneath the lower eyelid, pull the lower eyelid away from the eye to make a space. Squeeze a thin strip of ointment into this space. A 1/3- to ½;-cm (approximately ⅛-inch in infants and young children and ¼-inch in older children and adults) strip of ointment is usually enough, unless you have been told by your doctor to use a different amount. Let go of the eyelid and gently close the eyes. Keep the eyes closed for 1 or 2 minutes to allow the medicine to be absorbed by the eye.
• Immediately after using the eye ointment, wash your hands to remove any medicine that may be on them. If you are using the eye ointment for an infant or child, be sure to wash his or her hands immediately afterwards also, and do not let any of the medicine get in his or her mouth. In addition, wipe off any medicine that may have accidentally gotten on the infant or child, including his or her face or eyelids.
• To keep the medicine as germ-free as possible, do not touch the applicator tip to any surface (including the eye). After using the eye ointment, wipe the tip of the ointment tube with a clean tissue and keep the tube tightly closed.

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. This is especially important when this medicine is used in infants and children, since overdose is very dangerous in infants and children.

Dosing

The dose medicines in this class 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 these medicines. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

For atropine
• For ophthalmic ointment dosage form:
  • For uveitis:
    • Adults—Use a thin strip of the ointment in the eye one or two times a day.
    • Children—Use a thin strip of the ointment in the eye one to three times a day.
  • For eye examinations:
    • Adults—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • Children—Use a thin strip of the ointment in the eye three times a day for one to three days before the examination.
• For ophthalmic solution (eye drops) dosage form:
  • For uveitis:
    • Adults—Use one drop in the eye one or two times a day.
    • Children—Use one drop in the eye one to three times a day.
  • For eye examinations:
    • Adults—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • Children—Use one drop in the eye two times a day for one to three days before the examination.

For homatropine
• For ophthalmic solution (eye drops) dosage form:
  • For uveitis:
    • Adults and children—Use 1 or 2 drops in the eye two or three times a day.
  • For eye examinations:
    • Adults—Use 1 or 2 drops in the eye. May be repeated every five to ten minutes for two or three doses.
    • Children—Use 1 or 2 drops in the eye every ten minutes for two or three doses.

For scopolamine
• For ophthalmic solution (eye drops) dosage form:
  • For uveitis:
    • Adults and children—Use one drop in the eye up to four times a day.
  • For eye examinations:
    • Adults—Use one drop in the eye one hour before the examination.
    • Children—Use one drop in the eye two times a day for two days before the examination.
  • For posterior synechiae:
    • Adults—Use one drop in the eye every ten minutes for three doses.
    • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  • For use before and after surgery:
    • Adults and children—Use one drop in the eye one to four times a day.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take 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.

If you miss a dose of this medicine and your dosing schedule is:

• One dose a day—Apply the missed dose as soon as possible. However, if you do not remember the missed dose until the next day, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
• More than one dose a day—Apply the missed dose 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

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Use atropine eye ointment as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

• For the eye only.
• Wash your hands before and after use.
• Do not touch the container tip to the eye, lid, or other skin.
• Gently pull down the lower lid and squeeze in how much the doctor told you to use.
• Let go of the lower eyelid and keep eyes closed for 1 to 2 minutes.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Use a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
• If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.
• Do not use 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Signs of high blood pressure like very bad headache or dizziness, passing out, or change in eyesight.
• A fast heartbeat.
• A heartbeat that does not feel normal.
• Flushing.
• Restlessness.
• Feeling irritable.
• Dry mouth.
• Dry skin.
• Change in eyesight, eye pain, or very bad eye irritation.

If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.