Carbachol lowers pressure in the eye by increasing the amount of fluid that drains from the eye.

Carbachol ophthalmic (for the eye) is used to reduce pressure inside the eye after cataract surgery.

Carbachol ophthalmic may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Before you are treated with carbachol ophthalmic, tell your doctor about all your medical conditions or allergies, and all the medicines you are using. Also make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. In some cases, you may not be able to use carbachol ophthalmic, or you may need a dose adjustment or special precautions.

Carbachol ophthalmic is given as an injection into your eye. Your doctor will use a medicine to numb your eye before giving you the injection. You will receive this injection in your doctor's office or other clinic setting.

Usual Adult Dose for Intraocular Hypertension:

Instill no more than 0.5 mL into the anterior chamber of the affected eye(s) for the production of miosis during ocular surgery.

Comments:
-Miosis is usually maximal within 2 to 5 minutes after application.
-This drug may be instilled before or after securing sutures.

Uses:
-To obtain miosis during surgery
-To reduce the intensity of intraocular pressure elevation in the first 24 hours following cataract surgery

Usual Adult Dose for Production of Miosis:

Instill no more than 0.5 mL into the anterior chamber of the affected eye(s) for the production of miosis during ocular surgery.

Comments:
-Miosis is usually maximal within 2 to 5 minutes after application.
-This drug may be instilled before or after securing sutures.

Uses:
-To obtain miosis during surgery
-To reduce the intensity of intraocular pressure elevation in the first 24 hours following cataract surgery

You should not be treated with carbachol ophthalmic if you are allergic to it.

To make sure carbachol ophthalmic is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

• swelling of your iris (the colored part of your eye);

• a detached retina;

• heart failure;

• asthma;

• a stomach ulcer;

• an overactive thyroid;

• urination problems;

• Parkinson's disease; or

• an allergy to latex.

It is not known whether carbachol ophthalmic will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant.

It is not known whether carbachol ophthalmic passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Since carbachol ophthalmic is given by a healthcare professional during surgery, it does not have a daily dosing schedule.

Since carbachol ophthalmic is given by a healthcare professional in a medical setting, an overdose is unlikely to occur.

This medicine may cause blurred vision and may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert and able to see clearly.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Carbachol ophthalmic may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

• new or sudden vision problems;

• seeing "floaters" in your vision; or

• urination problems.

Common side effects of carbachol ophthalmic may include:

• blurred vision;

• flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling);

• stomach pain or upset;

• headache; or

• a tight feeling in your bladder.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

It is not likely that other drugs you take orally or inject will have an effect on carbachol used in the eyes. But many drugs can interact with each other. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all medicines you use, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.