Introduction

Miotic; direct-acting parasympathomimetic agent.

Uses for Carbachol

Open-Angle Glaucoma

Reduction of elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with primary, open-angle (chronic simple, noncongestive) glaucoma.

Used mainly in patients refractory or hypersensitive to pilocarpine.

May use concomitantly with sympathomimetic agents, β-adrenergic blocking agents, or carbonic anhydrase inhibitors.

Ocular Surgery

Production of miosis during surgery on the anterior chamber of the eye (e.g., cataract extraction, keratoplasty, peripheral iridectomy, cyclodialysis).

Reduction of the intensity of IOP elevation for the first 24 hours after cataract surgery.

Intraocular acetylcholine generally preferred.

Angle-Closure Glaucoma

Reduction of IOP in the emergency treatment of acute (congestive) angle-closure glaucoma^{† [off-label]} prior to surgery.

Pilocarpine generally preferred.

Ophthalmologic Examinations

Production of miosis to counteract mydriatic effects of sympathomimetic agents (e.g., hydroxyamphetamine, phenylephrine) after ophthalmoscopic examinations^{† [off-label]} in glaucoma patients.

Pilocarpine generally preferred.

Carbachol Dosage and Administration

Administration

Ophthalmic Administration

Administer ophthalmic topical solution to the conjunctival sac; do not inject.

Administer intraocular injection by injection into the anterior chamber.

Topical Solution

Remove contact lenses before instilling solution.

To minimize adverse effects, begin with a low concentration and increase gradually as needed. Additionally, instill daily dose or one of the daily doses at bedtime.

Following topical instillation, apply finger pressure on the lacrimal sac for 1–2 minutes to minimize drainage into nose and throat and reduce risk of absorption and systemic reactions. Remove excess solution around the eye with a tissue and rinse off any medication on hands immediately.

Intraocular Injection

Instill into anterior chamber of the eye before or after securing sutures, following the manufacturer’s directions. Vials are for single-dose use only; discard unused portion.

Dosage

Adjust concentration and frequency of solution instillation according to patient requirements and response, as determined by tonometric readings before and during therapy.

In patients with heavily pigmented irides, higher solution concentrations may be required.

Adults

Open-Angle Glaucoma

Ophthalmic Topical

1–2 drops of 1.5–3% topical solution up to 3 times daily.

Ocular Surgery

Intraocular

Inject ≤0.5 mL of a 0.01% solution.

Prescribing Limits

Adults

Ocular Surgery

Intraocular

Maximum: 0.5 mL of a 0.01% injection.

Special Populations

No special population dosage recommendations at this time.

Contraindications

• Known hypersensitivity to carbachol or any ingredient in the formulation.

• Conditions in which pupillary constriction is undesirable (e.g. acute iritis, pupillary block).

Warnings/Precautions

Warnings

Systemic Toxicity

Systemic reactions (e.g., salivation, syncope, cardiac arrhythmia, epigastric distress, headache, vomiting, asthma, hypotension, diarrhea, urinary urgency, increased sweating) reported rarely after topical application or intraocular injection; usually occur only with very frequent administration.

Use cautiously in patients with acute cardiac failure, bronchial asthma, active peptic ulcer, hyperthyroidism, GI spasm, urinary tract obstruction, Parkinson’s disease, recent MI, or systemic hypertension or hypotension.

Use topical solution cautiously in presence of corneal abrasion to avoid excessive penetration and systemic toxicity.

If systemic symptoms occur, discontinue drug, at least temporarily.

Ocular Toxicities

Retinal detachment reported rarely; use with extreme caution, if at all, in patients with a history or risk of retinal detachment, especially if young or aphakic. Carefully examine retinal periphery at least annually to detect an impending detachment.

Intraocular injection: Corneal clouding, persistent bullous keratopathy, retinal detachment, and postoperative iritis reported following cataract extraction in some patients.

Sensitivity Reactions

Hypersensitivity

Allergic conjunctivitis, dermatitis, or keratitis reported occasionally with miotics; usually alleviated by changing to another miotic. In some instances, allergic reactions may be caused by preservatives in the preparations.

Discontinue the drug if sensitivity develops or if original irritation persists or increases.

General Precautions

Ocular Effects (Topical Solution)

Possible spasm of accommodation and poor vision in dim light, particularly in geriatric patients and patients with lens opacities. (See Advice to Patients.)

Adverse effects often subside after first few days of therapy or if drug is temporarily discontinued. (See Administration under Dosage and Administration.)

Possible transient increase in IOP even when the angle is open. In some patients with angle-closure glaucoma receiving miotics, may increase IOP and precipitate acute attacks.

Possible lens opacities and cataracts; lens opacities may regress if therapy discontinued early in development; however, cataracts are often progressive.

Regular slit-lamp examinations recommended; discontinue therapy, at least temporarily, if iris cysts, iritis, synechiae, or lens opacities occur.

Specific Populations

Pregnancy

Category C.

Lactation

Not known whether carbachol is distributed into milk. Use with caution.

Pediatric Use

Safety and efficacy not established.

Geriatric Use

Reduced visual acuity in dim light is common in geriatric patients. (See Ocular Effects [Topical Solution] under Cautions.)

Common Adverse Effects

Topical solution: Ocular irritation (burning or discomfort), lacrimation, temporal or periorbital headache, painful ciliary or accommodative spasm, blurred vision or myopia, conjunctival vascular congestion, poor vision in dim light.

Administration

Ophthalmic Administration

Administer ophthalmic topical solution to the conjunctival sac; do not inject.

Administer intraocular injection by injection into the anterior chamber.

Topical Solution

Remove contact lenses before instilling solution.

To minimize adverse effects, begin with a low concentration and increase gradually as needed. Additionally, instill daily dose or one of the daily doses at bedtime.

Following topical instillation, apply finger pressure on the lacrimal sac for 1–2 minutes to minimize drainage into nose and throat and reduce risk of absorption and systemic reactions. Remove excess solution around the eye with a tissue and rinse off any medication on hands immediately.

Intraocular Injection

Instill into anterior chamber of the eye before or after securing sutures, following the manufacturer’s directions. Vials are for single-dose use only; discard unused portion.

Dosage

Adjust concentration and frequency of solution instillation according to patient requirements and response, as determined by tonometric readings before and during therapy.

In patients with heavily pigmented irides, higher solution concentrations may be required.

Adults

Open-Angle Glaucoma

Ophthalmic Topical

1–2 drops of 1.5–3% topical solution up to 3 times daily.

Ocular Surgery

Intraocular

Inject ≤0.5 mL of a 0.01% solution.

Prescribing Limits

Adults

Ocular Surgery

Intraocular

Maximum: 0.5 mL of a 0.01% injection.

Special Populations

No special population dosage recommendations at this time.

Specific Drugs