Tropicamide, Ophthalmic
“This page provides important general information for pet owners whose animals have been prescribed Tropicamide, Ophthalmic during a consultation by Dr Noor.”
Tropicamide, Ophthalmic for pets in Perth
(troe-pik-uh-myde)
Description:
This is a medicine put directly into the eye to make the pupil open wide (dilate).
Other Names for this Medication:
- Mydriacyl®
Common Dosage Forms:
- For animals: none listed.
- For people: tropicamide eye drops (ophthalmic solution) in strengths of 0.5% and 1%, supplied in 15 mL dropper bottles.
Key Information
- This medicine is used 2 to 3 times each day to keep the pupil open (large) after cataract surgery, or to help lessen eye pain caused by eye muscle cramping (for example, uveitis or “moon blindness” in horses).
- After the drops are given, dogs and cats may drool a lot. While your animal is using this medicine, keep them away from strong sunlight. Do not let the medicine get into your animal’s mouth.
- Use correct ways of giving the drops so the bottle and liquid do not get contaminated. When you are not using it, keep the cap closed tightly.
- After you apply the drops, wash your hands. This helps prevent the medicine from getting into your own eyes by accident, which can make your pupils open wide.
- If your animal is using other eye medicines too, wait 5 minutes after giving this one before putting any other medicine into the eye.
- Keep it at room temperature. Protect it from moisture and sunlight. Do not freeze it.
- Do not use the solution if the color looks different, if it turns cloudy, or if you can see particles in it.
How is this medication useful?
Tropicamide relaxes the muscles in the eye. It is used to make the pupil open wide during eye procedures and after eye surgery. It is also used to reduce eye pain when the eye muscles are cramping.
What should I tell my veterinarian to see if this medication can be safely given?
Many different factors can change how well this medicine works for your animal. Talk with your veterinarian about the points below so you can make treatment choices together.
- Other medicines may affect this one. Tell your veterinarian and pharmacist about everything your animal receives, including:
- other eye medicines
- vitamins
- supplements
- herbal products
Also share how much you give and when you give each one.
- Tell your veterinarian about any health problems your animal has now, or has had in the past.
- If your animal has had treatment before for the same problem, tell your veterinarian what was used and whether it helped or did not help.
- If your animal is pregnant or nursing, discuss the possible risks of using this medicine.
- Tell your veterinarian and pharmacist about any side effects your animal has had from medicines in the past. This includes:
- allergic reactions
- not wanting to eat
- diarrhea
- itching
- hair loss
How long until I will know if this medication is working, and how long will the effects of this medication last?
You should notice your animal is more comfortable within 1 to 2 hours. After that, the signs you can see should get better.
This medicine does not last long. Its effects wear off within 24 hours.
When should this medication not be used or be used very carefully?
No medicine is completely safe for every patient. Your veterinarian will talk with you about any concerns that apply to your animal.
This drug SHOULD NOT be used in patients:
- That have an allergy to this medicine or to similar medicines.
This drug should be used WITH CAUTION in:
- Animals with primary glaucoma.
- Horses that have colic.
- Animals that are pregnant or nursing.
If any of these apply to your animal, talk with your veterinarian about the risks of using this medicine compared with the benefits.
What are the side effects of this medication?
Side effects that usually are not serious include:
If any of these problems are strong, get worse, or do not go away, contact your veterinarian.
- Drooling after the drops are given.
- A brief stinging or burning feeling when the drops are first put in.
- Vision that looks blurry, especially if an ointment form is used.
- Being more bothered by bright light.
- Dryness of the eye for a few hours after the dose.
Side effects that may be serious or indicate a serious problem:
If you notice any of the signs below, contact your veterinarian immediately.
- A rash, itching, swelling (especially of the face, tongue, or throat), severe dizziness, or trouble breathing.
- Eyes that are painful (for example, squinting or rubbing the eyes).
- A heartbeat that is fast or not regular.
If my animal gets too much of this medication (an overdose), what should I do?
When this medicine is used as eye drops, giving too much is not likely. However, side effects or toxic effects could happen if your animal eats the medicine.
How should this medication be given?
For the medicine to work as intended, give it exactly the way your veterinarian instructed. It is helpful to read the prescription label each time so you confirm you are giving it correctly.
- Put the prescribed amount into your animal’s eye exactly as directed by your veterinarian.
- Do not let the tip of the dropper touch any part of your animal’s eye.
- If there is any liquid left on the fur or skin around the eye after dosing, wipe it away gently using a damp tissue or cloth.
- If you need to give more than one eye medicine, wait 5 minutes between each one before giving the next.
- If giving the medicine is difficult or your animal will not tolerate it, contact your veterinarian or pharmacist for advice on how to apply it and how to make dosing less stressful.
- If you are using this as an eye solution for a horse, your veterinarian may have placed a special eye catheter (a tube used to deliver medicine to the eye, called a subpalpebral lavage or SPL catheter).
- Use this catheter only in the way your veterinarian prescribed.
- After you inject the medicine into the catheter, use only air to flush the medicine through to the eye.
- This medicine may be needed for different lengths of time depending on the situation. Make sure you understand how long your veterinarian wants you to keep giving it. You may need prescription refills before treatment is finished. Do not stop the medicine without speaking with your veterinarian first, because there may be important reasons to continue.
What should I do if I miss giving a dose of this medication?
- If you forget a dose, give it as soon as you remember.
- If it is almost time for the next scheduled dose, do not give the missed one. Instead, give the next dose at the regular time.
Then continue with the normal schedule. Do not give two doses at once and do not give extra doses.
How should I store this medication?
- Keep this medicine in the original prescription container.
- Store it at room temperature and keep it away from light and moisture.
- Do not let it freeze.
- If your veterinarian or pharmacist prepared a custom-made (compounded) version for your animal, follow the storage directions and the expiration date provided for that product.
- Store it where children and animals cannot reach it.
Can handling this medication be hazardous to me, my family, or other animals?
- No special handling steps are required unless you are allergic to this medicine or to similar medicines.
- Wash your hands after you handle any medicine.
If the medicine gets into your eyes, it will make your pupil open wide. This is not a serious problem unless you have glaucoma. If the medicine gets into your eyes, call your family doctor.
How should I dispose of this medication if I don’t use it all?
- Do not pour this medicine into a sink and do not flush it down a toilet.
- If your area has a community drug “take-back” program, use that option.
- If there is no take-back program, combine the medicine with used coffee grounds or cat litter.
- This helps make it less appealing to children and animals and harder for someone to recognize if they search through trash.
- Put the mixture into a sealable plastic bag so it will not leak, and place it in the household trash.
- Do not keep leftover medicine to use later, and do not give it to anyone else.
What other information is important for this medication?
- In some animal competitions, using this medicine may not be permitted. Check the rules before entering your animal in a competition while your animal is receiving this medicine.
- If you have more questions about this medicine, contact your veterinarian or pharmacist.
“Disclaimer: The information on this page is provided as general educational material only. Every animal’s health situation is unique, and treatment decisions must be based on a full veterinary assessment. Always follow the specific instructions given during your consultation, and contact the prescribing veterinarian if you have any concerns.”
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