Tetracaine ophthalmic

In the U.S.

• Altacaine
• Tetcaine
• TetraVisc
• TetraVisc Forte

Available Dosage Forms:

• Solution
• Ointment

Therapeutic Class: Anesthetic, Local

Chemical Class: Amino Ester

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For tetracaine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to tetracaine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of tetracaine eye drops in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Geriatric

No information is available on the relationship of age to the effects of tetracaine eye drops in geriatric patients.

Pregnancy

Breast Feeding

Studies in women suggest that this medication poses minimal risk to the infant when used during breastfeeding.

Interactions with 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. When you are receiving tetracaine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using tetracaine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Hyaluronidase
• St John's Wort

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of tetracaine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Heart disease—May cause side effects to become worse.

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

• For the eye only.
• Your doctor will give this medicine.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Many times tetracaine is given on an as needed basis.

• If you need to store this medicine at home, talk with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist about how to store it.
• Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Check with your pharmacist about how to throw out unused drugs.

• Altacaine
• Tetcaine
• TetraVisc
• TetraVisc Forte

There are no dosage adjustments provided in the manufacturer's labeling.

There are no dosage adjustments provided in the manufacturer's labeling.

Store at room temperature of 15°C to 30°C (59°F to 86°F). Protect from light; keep container closed tightly.

Concerns related to adverse effects:

• Hypersensitivity reactions: Immediate type allergic corneal reactions, characterized by epithelial keratitis/filament formation, necrotic epithelium sloughing, stromal edema, descemetitis, and iritis, have been reported rarely.

Special populations:

• Contact lens wearers: Some formulations may contain benzalkonium chloride which may be adsorbed by soft contact lenses; remove contacts prior to administration and wait 15 minutes before reinserting.

Other warnings/precautions:

• For ophthalmic use only. May delay wound healing. Prolonged use is not recommended. The anesthetized eye should be protected from irritation, foreign bodies, and rubbing to prevent inadvertent damage.

Consult your pharmacist.

In the US -

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.

In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.