Cyclopentolate ophthalmic relaxes muscles in your eye to dilate (widen) your pupil.

Phenylephrine is a vasoconstrictor that shrinks blood vessels.

Cyclopentolate and phenylephrine ophthalmic (for the eyes) is a combination medicine used to dilate your pupils in preparation for an eye exam.

Cyclopentolate and phenylephrine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

You should not receive cyclopentolate and phenylephrine ophthalmic if you have untreated narrow-angle glaucoma.

cyclopentolate and phenylephrine ophthalmic is given as an eye drop placed into one or both eyes. A healthcare provider will place the drops in your eye.

Tell your doctor at once if you have severe burning, stinging, or irritation in your eyes.

After the drops are placed in your eye, gently press your finger to the inside corner of the eye for 2 to 3 minutes, to keep the liquid from draining into your tear duct. This will help prevent your body from absorbing too much of this medicine. Do not rub the eye.

If a child has been treated with this medicine, avoid allowing the child to rub or wipe the eyes. Closely watch the child for at least 30 minutes after the drops were placed in the eyes. This is to make sure the medicine does not cause any serious side effects by being absorbed through the tear duct.

Wash your hands after touching your eyes. If any of this medicine gets on a child's hands, wash them with soap and water. This will help prevent any medicine from accidentally reaching the child's mouth.

You should not receive this medicine if you are allergic to cyclopentolate or phenylephrine (phenylephrine is also a decongestant found in many cold and sinus medicines), or if you have:

• untreated or uncontrolled narrow angle glaucoma.

To make sure cyclopentolate and phenylephrine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

• glaucoma;

• heart disease;

• high blood pressure; or

• a thyroid disorder.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether cyclopentolate and phenylephrine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant.

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

Because you will receive cyclopentolate and phenylephrine in a clinical setting, you are not likely to miss a dose.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Avoid exposure to sunlight, sunlamps, or tanning beds for several hours after you are treated with cyclopentolate and phenylephrine ophthalmic. Dilated pupils can make your eyes more sensitive to light. Protect your eyes with sunglasses when you are in bright light. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert and able to see clearly.

Avoid getting this medicine in your mouth. If this does occur, rinse with water.

Avoid feeding a child for at least 4 hours after the child has been treated with cyclopentolate and phenylephrine.

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

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

• blurred vision, tunnel vision, or seeing halos around lights;

• eye pain;

• fast heart rate, severe headache, pounding in your neck or ears, anxiety;

• fever;

• little or no urinating;

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

• severe constipation; or

• weak or shallow breathing.

Infants and children may be more likely to have side effects from cyclopentolate and phenylephrine ophthalmic. Tell the doctor if the child has:

• confusion, changes in behavior, hallucinations;

• speech problems, trouble recognizing people;

• restless or excited behavior;

• loss of balance or coordination;

• seizure (convulsions); or

• feeding problems or loss of appetite.

Common side effects of cyclopentolate and phenylephrine ophthalmic may include:

• dry mouth, nose, or throat;

• decreased sweating; or

• sensitivity to sunlight.

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 cyclopentolate and phenylephrine 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.