ANESTHETICS (Ophthalmic)
Some commonly used brand names are:
In the U.S.?
- Ak-Taine 1
- Ak-T-Caine 2
- Alcaine 1
- Ocu-Caine 1
- Ophthaine 1
- Ophthetic 1
- Opticaine 2
- Pontocaine 2
- Spectro-Caine 1
In Canada?
- Alcaine 1
- Diocaine 1
- Minims Tetracaine 2
- Ophthetic 1
- Pontocaine 2
Other commonly used names are: Amethocaine Proxymetacaine
Note: | For quick reference, the following anesthetics are numbered to matchthe corresponding brand names. |
Category
- Anesthetic, local, ophthalmic?Proparacaine; Tetracaine
Description
Proparacaine and tetracaineare local anesthetics that are used in the eye to cause numbness or loss offeeling. They are used before certain procedures such as measuring of eyepressure, removing foreign objects or sutures (stitches) from the eye, andperforming certain eye examinations.
These medicines are to be administered only by or under the immediate supervisionof your doctor. They are available in the following dosage forms:
Ophthalmic- Proparacaine
- Ophthalmic solution (U.S. and Canada)
- Tetracaine
- Ophthalmic ointment (U.S.)
- Ophthalmic solution (U.S. and Canada)
Before Receiving This Medicine
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of using the medicine must beweighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctorwill make. For local anesthetics used in the eye, the following should beconsidered:
Allergies?Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual orallergic reaction after use of a local anesthetic in the eye. Such a reactionmay include severe itching, pain, redness, or swelling of the eye or eyelid,or severe and continuing watering of the eyes.
Also, tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reactionto tetracaine or other local anesthetics, such as benzocaine, butacaine, butamben,chloroprocaine, procaine, or propoxycaine, when given by injection or appliedto the skin.
In addition, tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reactionto aminobenzoic acid (also called para-aminobenzoic acid [PABA]), or if youare allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.
Pregnancy?Although studies on effects in pregnancy have notbeen done in either humans or animals, proparacaine and tetracaine have notbeen reported to cause birth defects or other problems in humans.
Breast-feeding?It is not known whether proparacaine or tetracainepasses into breast milk. Although most medicines pass into breast milk insmall amounts, many of them may be used safely while breast-feeding. Motherswho receive this medicine and who wish to breast-feed should discuss thiswith their doctor.
Children?Although there is no specific information comparinguse of ophthalmic anesthetics in children with use in other age groups, thesemedicines are not expected to cause different side effects or problems inchildren than they do in adults.
Older adults?Many medicines have not been studied specificallyin older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactlythe same way they do in younger adults. Although there is no specific informationcomparing use of ophthalmic anesthetics in the elderly with use in other agegroups, these medicines are not expected to cause different side effects orproblems in older people than they do in younger adults.
Other medicines?Although certain medicines should not be usedtogether at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used togethereven if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want tochange the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Before receiving alocal anesthetic in the eye, tell your doctor if you are taking any otherprescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.
Other medical problems?The presence of other medicalproblems may affect the use of local anesthetics in the eye. Make sure youtell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
- Allergies?The risk of unwanted effects may be increased
Proper Use of This Medicine
Dosing?The dose of proparacaine or tetracaine will be different fordifferent people. It will depend on the reason the anesthetic is being used.Your health care professional will apply the medicine.
For proparacaine or tetracaine- For ophthalmic drops dosage form (eyedrops):
- For causing loss of feeling in the eye:
- Adults and teenagers?For most procedures, one or two dropswill be all that is needed. However, for some other procedures, several applicationsof the medicine may be needed, usually five or ten minutes apart.
- Children?Use and dose must be determined by the doctor.
For tetracaine- For ophthalmic ointment dosage form (eyeointment):
- For causing loss of feeling in the eye:
- Adults and teenagers?Your health care professional will applya small amount of the ointment to the lower eyelid.
- Children?Use and dose must be determined by the doctor.
Precautions After Receiving This Medicine
After a local anesthetic is applied to the eye, donot rub or wipe the eye until the anesthetic has worn off and feeling in theeye returns. To do so may cause injury or damage to the eye. The effectsof these medicines usually last for about 20 minutes. However, if more thanone dose is applied, the effects may last longer.
If you get one of these medicines on your fingers, it may cause a rashwith dryness and cracking of the skin. If you touch your eye after this medicinehas been applied, wash your hands as soon as possible.
Side Effects of This Medicine
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects.Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they mayneed medical attention.
Tell your doctor immediately if any of the followingside effects occur shortly after this medicine has been applied:
Symptoms of too much medicine being absorbed into the body?very rare
Dizzinessor drowsiness; increased sweating; irregular heartbeat; muscle twitching or trembling; nausea or vomiting; shortnessof breath or troubled breathing; unusual excitement,nervousness, or restlessness; unusual tiredness orweakness
Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medicalattention. Mild stinging or eye irritation may occur as soon as tetracaineis applied or up to several hours after proparacaine is applied. Althoughthese side effects usually are not serious, check withyour doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects are severe, because you may be having an allergic reaction to the medicine. Also,check with your doctor if any of these effects continue or are bothersome:
Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. Ifyou notice any other effects, check with your doctor.
Revised: 08/25/94
