Atropine helps widen the pupils and relax the muscles in the eyes before a surgery.
This medicine may also be used to treat eye inflammation.
Atropine may be used to treat or diagnose other eye conditions as decided by your doctor.
Use Atropine eye drop exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not use more or less than instructed by your doctor.
How to use the eye drop solution:
- Wash your hands with soap and water before using the eye drops.
- Shake the bottle well before using.
- Tilt your head slightly backwards. With the index finger, pull the lower eyelid away from the eye to form a pouch. Look upward and instill the required number of drops inside the lower eyelid.
- Close your eyes and do not blink for the next 30 seconds.
- Wipe any excess liquid from your face with a clean tissue.
- Replace and tighten the cap of the bottle.
To minimise the risk of absorption affecting the whole body, gently press on the tear duct for 1-3 minutes after instillation of your recommended dose.
Do not allow the tip of the dropper of Atropine to touch your eyes, eyelids or any other surface. Recap the eye drop immediately after use. If the eye drop becomes contaminated, it could cause an infection in your eyes.
If you have been given any other eye drops to be used together with this medicine, wait for at least 10 minutes before applying the second eye drop.
Some brands of Atropine contain benzalkonium chloride as a preservative. This may discolour soft contact lenses and cause eye irritation. If you are wearing contact lenses, you should remove it before applying the eye drop. Wait for at least 15 minutes before reinserting your lenses.
If you are using Atropine to treat eye inflammation, instill the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.
DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.
If you often forget to use your medicine, let your doctor and pharmacist know.
Alert your doctor if you have a closed-angle or narrow angle glaucoma (increased pressure in the eyes) as this medicine may not be suitable for you.
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- rapid heartbeat
- fever or increased body heat after exposure to high surrounding temperature
- brain damage
- dark coloured eyes
- spastic paralysis (continuous muscle contraction causing stiffness)
- Down’s syndrome (a genetic disorder associated with physical growth and development delays and intellectual disability)
Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before using Atropine to a child.
For as long as you are using this medicine, you may need to have your eyes checked regularly. Your doctor will advise you about how often you need to have these tests.
Atropine may cause your vision to be blurred. If affected, do not drive or take part in any activity in which you need to see clearly.
Other side effects include any of the following: eye irritation, itching, swelling and redness, increased sensitivity to light, nausea, constipation, flushing, dry skin, fast and irregular heartbeat.
Dry mouth is a common side effect of this medicine. If you experience severe dry mouth, take some sweets, mints or chewing gum to help reduce discomfort.
Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes when going outdoors and avoid direct or prolonged exposure to sunlight and UV lamps.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- swollen or watery eyes
- skin rash and difficulty in breathing
- confusion and restlessness
- difficulty in controlling movements such as unsteadiness in walking
- seeing, hearing or feeling things that are not existent
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- medicines for glaucoma (increased pressure in the eyes) e.g. carbachol, pilocarpine, echothiopate
- medicines for irregular or abnormal heartbeat e.g. mexiletine, disopyramide, quinidine
- medicines to treat depression e.g. amitriptyline, imipramine
- medicines for mood disorders e.g. phenothiazine, haloperidol, clozapine
- stomach medicines e.g. itopride, domperidone, metoclopramide
- potassium supplements (either as a medicine or a as a salt substitute)
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Atropine.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol.
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
Protect from light.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
Throw away any remaining eye drops 4 weeks after opening. Mark the date of opening on the eye drop bottle so that you know when to discard it.
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