ANESTHETICS, LOCAL (Ophthalmic)

Brand & Generic Names

Ak-Taine	Ophthetic
Alcaine	Pontocaine
I-Paracine	PROPARACAINE
Kainaire	Spectro-Caine
Ocu-Caine	TETRACAINE
Ophthaine

Basic Information

• Habit forming? No
• Prescription needed? Yes
• Available as generic? Yes
• Drug class: Anesthetic, local (ophthalmic)

Uses

Eliminates pain in eye temporarily to measure pressure in eye to check for glaucoma, remove foreign bodies and stitches and corneal scraping for diagnostic procedures.

Dosage & Usage Information

How to use:
Eye drops
Wash hands.
Apply pressure to inside corner of eye with middle finger.
Continue pressure for 1 minute after placing medicine in eye.
Tilt head backward. Pull lower lid away from eye with index finger of the same hand.
Drop eye drops into pouch and close eye. Don't blink.
Keep eyes closed for 1 to 2 minutes. Eye ointment
Wash hands.
Pull lower lid down from eye to form a pouch.
Squeeze tube to apply thin strip of ointment into pouch.
Close eye for 1 to 2 minutes.
Don't touch applicator tip to any surface (including the eye). If you accidentally touch tip, clean with warm soap and water.
Keep container tightly closed.
Keep cool, but don't freeze.
Wash hands immediately after using.

When to use:
As directed on label.

If you forget a dose:
Use as soon as you remember.

What drug does:
Blocks conduction of pain impulses.

Time lapse before drug works:
13-15 seconds.

Don't use with:
Other drops in eyes such as antiglaucoma eye drops.

Overdose

SYMPTOMS:
None expected.

WHAT TO DO:

Not intended for internal use. If child accidentally swallows, call poison-control center.

Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects

Life-threatening:

Anaphylaxis (severe See EMERGENCY Information. itching, hives, wheezing, runny nose, paleness, cold sweats, coma).

Common:

Mild stinging and burning.

Infrequent:

Allergic reaction symptoms--itching, pain, redness, swelling, watery eyes. Rare (extremely): Symptoms of excess medicine absorbed by body--Weakness, increased sweating, nervousness, difficult breathing, vomiting, nausea, muscle spasms, irregular heartbeat, dizziness, drowsiness.

Warnings & Precautions

Don't use if:
You are allergic to any eye anesthetic.

Before you start, consult your doctor:

• If you have ever had an allergic reaction to any local anesthetic applied to skin, ears, mucous membranes or injected, such as benzocaine, butacaine, butamben, chloroprocaine, procaine, propoxycaine.
• If you have had an allergic reaction to sunscreens.

Over age 60:
No problems expected.

Pregnancy:
Studies have not been done. Consult doctor.

Breast-feeding:
No problems expected, but check with doctor.

Infants & children:
Use only under close medical supervision.

Prolonged use:
May retard healing. Avoid if possible.

Skin & sunlight:
No problems expected.

Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
No problems expected.

Discontinuing:
No problems expected.

Others:

• Don't rub or wipe eye until anesthetic has worn off (usually about 20 minutes) or until normal feeling in eye returns.
• Keep cool, but don't freeze.

Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

GENERIC NAME	COMBINED EFFECT
------------------------	-----------------------
Clinically significant intera	ctions with oral or injected

Possible Interaction with Other Substances

INTERACTS WITH	COMBINED EFFECT
---------------	---------------
Alcohol:	None expected.
Beverages:	None expected.
Cocaine:	None expected.
Foods:	None expected.
Marijuana:	None expected.
Tobacco:	None expected.