DrugindexOnline^{2nd edition}

Generic Name: Atropine Ophthalmic Solution (AT-row-peen)
Brand Name: Isopto Atropine

Atropine Solution is used for:

Widening (dilating) the pupils for an eye exam or to treat certain inflammatory conditions of the eye. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Atropine Solution is an anticholinergic agent. It works by blocking the chemical acetylcholine, which relaxes the ciliary muscle of the eye and causes the pupil to dilate.

Do NOT use Atropine Solution if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Atropine Solution
• you have glaucoma or are at risk for glaucoma

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Atropine Solution:

Some medical conditions may interact with Atropine Solution. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have numbness due to nerve damage, a blockage of the bladder, prostate problems, or difficulty urinating
• if you have cornea problems or Down syndrome

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Atropine Solution. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Antihistamines (eg, diphenhydramine), medicine for Parkinson disease (eg, benztropine), or tricyclic antidepressants (eg, amitriptyline) because they may increase the risk of this medicine's side effects

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Atropine Solution may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Atropine Solution:

Use Atropine Solution as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• An extra patient leaflet is available with Atropine Solution. Talk to your pharmacist if you have questions about this information.
• To use Atropine Solution in the eye, first, wash your hands. Tilt your head back. Using your index finger, pull the lower eyelid away from the eye to form a pouch. Drop the medicine into the pouch and gently close your eyes. Immediately use your finger to apply pressure to the inside corner of the eyelid for 1 to 2 minutes. Do not blink. Remove excess medicine around your eye with a clean, dry tissue, being careful not to touch your eye. Wash your hands to remove any medicine that may be on them.
• To prevent germs from contaminating your medicine, do not touch the applicator tip to any surface, including the eye. Keep the container tightly closed.
• If you miss a dose of Atropine Solution, use it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not use 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Atropine Solution.

Important safety information:

• Atropine Solution may cause harm if it is swallowed. If you may have taken it by mouth, contact your poison control center or emergency room right away.
• Atropine Solution may cause blurred vision. Use Atropine Solution with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
• This medicine may make your eyes more sensitive to sunlight. It may help to wear sunglasses.
• Lab tests, including eye exams, may be performed while you use Atropine Solution. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Use Atropine Solution with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects.
• Atropine Solution should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Atropine Solution while you are pregnant. It is not known if Atropine Solution is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Atropine Solution, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of Atropine Solution:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Blurred vision; eye itching, burning, or stinging; irritation at the application site.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); difficulty urinating; dry mouth; eye pain; fever; flushing or dryness of the skin; irregular or rapid heartbeat; unsteadiness on your feet.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org/findyour.htm), or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include hallucinations; loss of muscle coordination; rapid or irregular pulse.

Proper storage of Atropine Solution:

Store Atropine Solution at room temperature, between 46 and 86 degrees F (8 and 30 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Atropine Solution out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Atropine Solution, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Atropine Solution is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Atropine Solution. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.