Atropine Sulfate, Ophthalmic
“This page provides important general information for pet owners whose animals have been prescribed Atropine Sulfate, Ophthalmic during a consultation by Dr Noor.”
(ah-troe-peen suhl-fate)
Description:
This medicine is used to make the pupil (the dark center of the eye) get bigger and to relax certain eye muscles.
Other Names for this Medication:
- Isopto® Atropine
Common Dosage Forms:
- For animals: none listed.
- For people:
- atropine eye drops (solution) 1%
- atropine eye ointment 1%
Key Information
- This medicine is used to make the pupil larger after eye surgery (for example, cataract surgery). It is also used to help lessen eye pain that happens when eye muscles tighten or cramp (for example, uveitis, and “moon blindness” in horses). It is often started at 2 to 3 times per day, and then changed to once daily or once every other day to keep the pupil enlarged.
- Because it tastes bitter, an animal may drool a lot if it licks the medicine or grooms it off. Prevent the medicine from getting into your animal’s mouth.
- While your animal is using this medicine, keep them away from strong sunlight.
- Use careful steps when giving the medicine so the bottle or tube does not get contaminated. When you are not using it, keep the cap closed tightly.
- After you put atropine in the eye, wait 5 minutes before you put any other eye medicine in.
- After using it, wash your hands so it does not affect your own eyes.
How is this medication useful?
Atropine sulfate relaxes certain eye muscles. This helps the pupil open wider during and after eye surgery. It is also used to reduce eye pain that comes from eye muscle spasm.
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 before.
If your animal has had treatment for the same problem in the past, 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 with your veterinarian.
Tell your veterinarian and pharmacist about any medicine side effects your animal has had before. Examples include:
- 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?
This medicine is expected to begin working within 1 to 2 hours. Even so, you may not be able to see the effects just by looking. Your veterinarian may need to do additional tests to confirm the medicine is working as intended.
The effects last a moderate amount of time, which means they can continue for several days.
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 (for example, scopolamine).
- With primary glaucoma.
This drug should be used WITH CAUTION in:
- Colicky horses.
- Animals that are pregnant or nursing.
If your animal fits any of the situations listed above, discuss with your veterinarian how the possible risks compare with the possible benefits.
What are the side effects of this medication?
Side effects that usually are not serious include:
- Temporary stinging or burning right after it is put in.
- Blurred vision, especially when the ointment form is used.
- Sensitivity to bright light.
If any of these problems are strong, get worse, or do not go away, contact your veterinarian.
Side effects that may be serious or indicate a serious problem:
- Rash, itching, swelling (especially of the face, tongue, throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.
- Fast or irregular heartbeat.
- Constipation or signs of colic in horses.
If you notice any of these signs, contact your veterinarian immediately.
If my animal gets too much of this medication (an overdose), what should I do?
When this medicine is used in the eye, giving too much is not expected. However, side effects or poisoning could happen if your animal eats the medicine. If this occurs, contact your veterinarian or an animal poison control center right away for guidance. A consultation fee may be charged.
How should this medication be given?
For the medicine to work correctly, 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 the right way.
- Put this medicine into your animal’s eye in the exact amount your veterinarian prescribed.
- Do not let the tip of the dropper touch any part of your animal’s eye.
- If any medicine remains on the fur or skin around the face after you give the drops, softly clean it away using a damp cloth or a tissue.
- If you are giving more than one eye medicine, wait 5 minutes between each one before giving the next.
- If giving the medicine is difficult or your animal resists, ask your veterinarian or pharmacist for advice on how to apply it and how to make the process less stressful.
This medicine may be used for different lengths of time. Make sure you understand how long your veterinarian wants you to keep giving it. You may need prescription refills before the full treatment is finished. Before you stop giving this medicine, speak with your veterinarian, 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 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, or in another approved container used to organize doses (such as a pill minder).
- Store it at room temperature and keep it away from light.
- Do not let it freeze.
If your veterinarian or pharmacist has prepared a custom-made version (a compounded product) for your animal, follow the storage directions and the expiration date provided for that product.
- Store it where children and other animals cannot reach it.
Can handling this medication be hazardous to me, my family, or other animals?
There are no special handling warnings unless you are allergic to this medicine or to similar medicines (for example, scopolamine). Even so, it is sensible to wash your hands after touching any medicine. If this medicine gets into your eyes, it will make your pupil enlarge. This is not a serious problem unless you have glaucoma.
How should I dispose of this medication if I don’t use it all?
- Do not pour this medicine into the toilet, sink, or drain.
- If your area has a community medicine “take-back” program, use that option.
If there is no take-back program:
Combine the medicine with coffee grounds or cat litter so it is less appealing to children and animals and not recognizable to someone searching the trash.
Put that mixture into a sealable plastic bag to prevent leaks.
Then place the sealed bag 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.”