Echothiophate iodide ophthalmic (for the eyes) reduces pressure in the eye. echothiophate iodide ophthalmic is used to treat chronic open-angle glaucoma, and other types of glaucoma, especially after cataract surgery. This medicine is also used to treat certain eye-focusing disorders.

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

You should not use echothiophate iodide ophthalmic if you have an eye condition called uveitis, or if you have angle-closure glaucoma (such as narrow-angle glaucoma).

Your doctor will perform an eye examination to make sure you do not have conditions that would prevent you from safely using echothiophate iodide ophthalmic.

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Echothiophate iodide ophthalmic can affect your pupils, which may cause temporary vision problems. Use echothiophate iodide ophthalmic at bedtime to make these problems less bothersome. If you use this medicine twice per day, use your second dose at bedtime.

Wash your hands before and after using the eye drops.

After placing a drop in your eye, close your eyes and gently press your finger to the inside corner of the eye for 1 to 2 minutes. This will keep the liquid from draining into your tear duct.

Do not touch the tip of the eye dropper or place it directly on your eye. A contaminated dropper can infect your eye, which could lead to serious vision problems.

If you need surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using echothiophate iodide ophthalmic.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Do not refrigerate. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.

Throw away any unused echothiophate iodide drops after 4 weeks.

Usual Adult Dose for Intraocular Hypertension:

Instill 1 drop in the affected eye(s) twice a day, in the morning and at bedtime

Comments:
-If the tension fails to remain at an acceptable level on the usual regimen, a change in therapy is indicated.
-The once a day dose or one of the twice a day doses should always be instilled just before bedtime to avoid inconvenience due to the miosis.
-Twice a day dosing is preferred to once a day in order to maintain as smooth a diurnal tension curve as possible.

Use: Reduction of elevated intraocular pressure (IOP)

Usual Pediatric Dose for Strabismus:

Diagnosis of accommodative esotropia: One drop may be instilled once a day in both eyes before bedtime, for a period of two or three weeks.

Comments:
-Favorable response will usually be noted within a few hours.


Maintenance of accommodation esotropia: Instill 1 drop in both eyes once a day or every other day depending on satisfactory results.

Comments:
-The maximum usually recommended dosage is one drop once a day, although more intensive therapy has been used for short periods.

You should not use echothiophate iodide if you are allergic to it, or if you have:

• an eye condition called uveitis; or

• angle-closure glaucoma (such as narrow-angle glaucoma).

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• uveitis;

• problems with your retina (the membrane layer inside your eye that helps produce vision);

• low blood pressure or slow heartbeats;

• a heart attack;

• asthma or other breathing disorder;

• epilepsy or other seizure disorder;

• Parkinson's disease; or

• stomach ulcer, irritable bowel syndrome.

Tell your doctor if you will be exposed to insecticide or pesticide poisons (carbamate or organophosphate types) while you are using echothiophate iodide ophthalmic. Breathing in or absorbing these chemicals through your skin can increase certain side effects of the medicine. Wear a protective mask and clothing if you work with chemicals in farming, gardening, or manufacturing.

It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

You should not breast-feed while using this medicine.

Use the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not use two doses at one time.

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

Do not use other eye medications unless your doctor tells you to.

echothiophate iodide ophthalmic may cause blurred vision and may impair your reactions. Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how this medicine will affect you.

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

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

• severe eye redness, small white or yellow patches on the surface of your eye;

• vision problems, flashes of light or "floaters" in your vision;

• fast, slow, or uneven heartbeats;

• muscle weakness, trouble breathing;

• increased salivation, heavy sweating, diarrhea; or

• loss of bladder control.

Common side effects of echothiophate iodide ophthalmic may include:

• blurred vision;

• stinging or burning after using the eye drops;

• watery eyes, twitching eyelids;

• pain above your eyes; or

• red or puffy eyelids.

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.

Other drugs may affect echothiophate iodide, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

Medicines used during anesthesia for surgery may be affected by echothiophate iodide.

Tell each of your healthcare providers about all medicines you use, and any medicine you start or stop using.