Cyclogyl Ophthalmic

Ophthalmic atropine, homatropine, and scopolamine are used to dilate (enlarge) the pupil of the eye. They are used before eye examinations, before and after eye surgery, and to treat certain eye conditions, such as uveitis or posterior synechiae.

These medicines are available only with your doctor's prescription.

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 Cyclogyl. 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.

After you apply this medicine to your eyes:

• Your pupils will become unusually large and you will have blurring of vision, especially for close objects. Make sure your vision is clear before you drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are not able to see well.
• Your eyes will become more sensitive to light than they are normally. Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from sunlight and other bright lights.

These effects may continue for several days after you stop using this medicine. However, check with your doctor if they continue longer than:

• 14 days if you are using atropine.
• 3 days if you are using homatropine.
• 7 days if you are using scopolamine.

Before using cyclopentolate, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to belladonna alkaloids (e.g., atropine); or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients (such as preservatives like benzalkonium chloride), which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: personal or family history of glaucoma (angle-closure type), Down's syndrome, brain damage or spastic paralysis (in children), heart disease.

After you apply this drug, your vision may become temporarily blurred. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires clear vision until you are sure you can perform such activities safely.

This medication may make your eyes more sensitive to light. Protect your eyes in bright light. Use dark sunglasses when outdoors.

Caution is advised when using this drug in infants or small children because they may be more sensitive to the effects of the drug, especially mental/mood changes. If using this medication in an infant, watch the infant closely for 30 minutes after the medication is applied.

Caution is advised when this drug is used in the elderly since this group may be more sensitive to side effects of this drug, especially increased pressure in the eye.

During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.

It is not known whether this drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

This medicine may be harmful if swallowed. If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center. Symptoms of overdose may include: flushed/dry skin, blurred vision, fast/irregular heartbeat, fever, mental/mood changes (e.g., hallucinations), loss of coordination.

Notes

Do not share this medication with others.

Missed Dose

Not applicable.

Storage

Store between 46-80 degrees F (8-27 degrees C) away from heat and light. Do not freeze. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

If you are using the single-use containers, discard any unused medication immediately after use.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.Information last revised June 2017. Copyright(c) 2017 First Databank, Inc.