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

Cyclopentolate ophthalmic (for the eyes) is used to dilate your pupil in preparation for an eye exam.

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

You should not receive this medicine if you have angle-closure glaucoma.

Cyclopentolate comes as a solution (liquid) to instill in the eye. Your healthcare provider will instill the solution into the eye(s) prior to an eye examination.

Cyclopentolate ophthalmic may take about a half an hour or more to fully work after instillation. Effects generally may last for up to 24 hours, but may last several days in some people. People with dark eye colors may require increased cyclopentolate doses.

If cyclopentolate is given to a child, watch them closely for at least 30 minutes after instillation. Infants should not be fed for 4 hours after cyclopentolate instillation.

Cyclopentolate ophthalmic is for use only in the eye(s). Do not swallow cyclopentolate solution.

Be careful not to let the tip of the bottle touch your eye, fingers, face, or any surface. If the tip does touch another surface, bacteria may get into the eye drops.

To instill the eye drops, follow these steps:

1. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
2. While tilting your head back, pull down the lower lid of your eye with your index finger to form a pocket.
3. Hold the dropper (tip down) with the other hand, as close to the eye as possible without touching it.
4. Brace the remaining fingers of that hand against your face.
5. While looking up, gently squeeze the dropper so that the drop(s) fall into the pocket made by the lower eyelid.
6. Remove your index finger from the lower eyelid.
7. Close your eye and tip your head down as though looking at the floor.
8. Place a finger on the tear duct and apply gentle pressure for 2 to 3 minutes.
9. If you require a second dose in the same eye, wait at least 5 to 10 minutes before instilling the next drop(s) and repeat steps 1 to 8.
10. Replace and tighten the cap on the dropper bottle.
11. Wash your hands and if necessary your child's hands after instillation to remove any medication.

Usual Adult Dose for Refraction:

Instill 1 to 2 drops in the eye(s) once; may repeat in 5 to 10 minutes if needed

Comments: The 0.5%, 1%, or 2% solution may be used.

Uses: To produce mydriasis and cycloplegia

Usual Adult Dose for Pupillary Dilation:

Instill 1 to 2 drops in the eye(s) once; may repeat in 5 to 10 minutes if needed

Comments: The 0.5%, 1%, or 2% solution may be used.

Uses: To produce mydriasis and cycloplegia

Usual Pediatric Dose for Refraction:

Infants: Instill 1 drop of 0.5% solution into the eye(s) once

Comments:
-To minimize absorption, pressure should be applied over the nasolacrimal sac for 2 to 3 minutes.
-The infant should be observed for at least 30 minutes after instillation.

Children: Instill 1 to 2 drops in the eye(s) once; may repeat in 5 to 10 minutes if needed using the 0.5% or 1% solution

Comments: Initial dose in children may be given using the 0.5%, 1%, or 2% solution.

Uses: To produce mydriasis and cycloplegia

Usual Pediatric Dose for Pupillary Dilation:

Infants: Instill 1 drop of 0.5% solution into the eye(s) once

Comments:
-To minimize absorption, pressure should be applied over the nasolacrimal sac for 2 to 3 minutes.
-The infant should be observed for at least 30 minutes after instillation.

Children: Instill 1 to 2 drops in the eye(s) once; may repeat in 5 to 10 minutes if needed using the 0.5% or 1% solution

Comments: Initial dose in children may be given using the 0.5%, 1%, or 2% solution.

Uses: To produce mydriasis and cycloplegia

You should not receive cyclopentolate ophthalmic if you have ever had a severe allergic reaction to cyclopentolate ophthalmic, or if you have angle-closure glaucoma.

To make sure cyclopentolate ophthalmic is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have glaucoma.

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

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

How should is cyclopentolate ophthalmic given?

This medicine is usually given about 40 to 50 minutes before your eye exam or other procedure.

A healthcare provider will place the eyedrops into your eyes.

After you receive the drops, close your eyes for 2 or 3 minutes with your head tipped down, without blinking or squinting. Gently press your finger to the inside corner of the eye to keep the liquid from draining into your tear duct.

Cyclopentolate ophthalmic can cause feeding problems in an infant. After cyclopentolate ophthalmic has been given to your infant, wait at least 4 hours before you feed the child.

Since cyclopentolate ophthalmic is used as needed, it does not have a daily dosing schedule.

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

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).

Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.

It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

Cyclopentolate ophthalmic can cause blurred vision for up to 24 hours after using it. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be able to see clearly.

Cyclopentolate ophthalmic may also make your eyes more sensitive to light. Until the effects wear off, protect your eyes from the sun or bright light.

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.

Tell your caregivers right away if you have:

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

• severe burning or redness of your eyes;

• drowsiness;

• constipation, little or no urinating;

• dry mouth or nose, decreased sweating;

• fast heartbeats; or

• fever, skin rash, flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling).

Infants and young children may be more likely to have side effects from cyclopentolate ophthalmic. For at least 30 minutes after the child has been treated with cyclopentolate ophthalmic, watch for the following side effects:

• loss of coordination;

• unusual changes in behavior;

• feeling restless or excited;

• confusion, speech problems; or

• feeding problems, stomach bloating.

Common side effects of cyclopentolate ophthalmic may include:

• blurred vision;

• mild eye irritation or redness;

• puffy eyelids; or

• the eyes being more sensitive to light.

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 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.

Keep all appointments with your doctor.

Do not let anyone else use your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.