carbachol ophthalmic

What is the most important information I should know about carbachol ophthalmic?

Contact your doctor immediately if you notice any decrease in vision or an increase in "floaters" in your visual field. Rarely, carbachol ophthalmic may cause retinal detachment. Retinal detachment can lead to blind spots, floaters in your visual field, and even blindness. Your doctor will want to check your retina before you use this medicine to determine if you have an increased risk of retinal detachment.

Do not touch the dropper to any surface, including the eyes or hands. The dropper is sterile. If it becomes contaminated, it could cause an infection in the eye.

Apply light pressure to the inside corner of the eye (near the nose) after each drop to prevent the fluid from draining down the tear duct.

Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Carbachol ophthalmic may cause decreased vision at night. If you experience decreased vision, avoid these activities.

What is carbachol ophthalmic?

Carbachol ophthalmic reduces the pressure in the eye by increasing the amount of fluid that drains from the eye. Carbachol ophthalmic also causes the pupil to become smaller and reduces its response to light or dark conditions.

Carbachol ophthalmic is used to treat glaucoma by lowering the pressure inside the eye.

Carbachol ophthalmic may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using carbachol ophthalmic?

Rarely, carbachol ophthalmic may cause retinal detachment. Tell your doctor if you have any type of retinal disease, if you have had a retinal tear, if you are nearsighted, or if you have had cataract surgery. These conditions may increase the risk of retinal detachment.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you have

• heart failure,
• high or low blood pressure,
• ever had a heart attack,
• asthma,
• a stomach ulcer or stomach spasms,
• epilepsy,
• hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid),
• blockage of your urinary tract or difficulty urinating, or
• Parkinson's disease.

You may not be able to use carbachol ophthalmic, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

Carbachol ophthalmic is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether carbachol ophthalmic will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not use this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.

It is not known whether carbachol passes into breast milk. Do not use carbachol ophthalmic without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I use carbachol ophthalmic?

Use carbachol ophthalmic eye drops exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these instructions, ask your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse to explain them to you.

Wash your hands before using the eye drops.

If you wear contact lenses, remove them before applying carbachol ophthalmic. Ask your doctor if contact lenses can be reinserted after application of the medication. Carbachol ophthalmic may contain a preservative (benzalkonium chloride), which may cause discoloration of contact lenses.

To apply the eye drops:

• Tilt the head back slightly and pull down on the lower eyelid. Position the dropper above the eye. Look up and away from the dropper. Squeeze out a drop and close the eye. Apply gentle pressure to the inside corner of the eye (near the nose) for about 1 minute to prevent the liquid from draining down the tear duct. If you are using more than 1 drop in the same eye, repeat the process with about 5 minutes between drops. Repeat the process in the other eye if needed.

Do not touch the dropper to any surface, including the eyes or hands. The dropper is sterile. If it becomes contaminated, it could cause an infection in the eye.

Do not use any eye drop that is discolored or has particles in it.

Store carbachol ophthalmic at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep the bottle properly capped.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Apply the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next regularly scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and apply the next one as directed. Do not use a double dose of this medication.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected or if the drops have been ingested.

Symptoms of a carbachol ophthalmic overdose may include sweating, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, watering mouth, and tearing eyes.

What should I avoid while using carbachol ophthalmic?

Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Carbachol ophthalmic may cause decreased vision at night. If you experience decreased vision, avoid these activities.

Do not touch the dropper to any surface, including the eyes or hands. The dropper is sterile. If it becomes contaminated, it could cause an infection in the eye.

If you wear contact lenses, remove them before applying carbachol ophthalmic. Ask your doctor if contact lenses can be reinserted after application of the medication. Carbachol ophthalmic may contain a preservative (benzalkonium chloride), which may cause discoloration of contact lenses.

Do not use other eye medications during treatment with carbachol ophthalmic except under the direction of your doctor.

What are the possible side effects of carbachol ophthalmic?

Contact your doctor immediately if you notice any decrease in vision or an increase in "floaters" in your visual field. Rarely, carbachol ophthalmic may cause retinal detachment. Retinal detachment can lead to blind spots, floaters in your visual field, and even blindness. Your doctor will want to check your retina before you use this medicine to determine if you have an increased risk of retinal detachment.

Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to use carbachol ophthalmic and talk to your doctor if you experience

• burning, stinging, or tearing eyes;
• decreased vision in poor light;
• headache;
• watering mouth;
• sweating;
• increased urination;
• nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea; or
• dizziness.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect carbachol ophthalmic?

Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you are using another eye medication, especially if it is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as flurbiprofen (Ocufen), suprofen (Profenal), diclofenac (Voltaren), or ketorolac (Acular).

Do not use other eye medications during treatment with carbachol ophthalmic except under the direction of your doctor.

Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with carbachol ophthalmic. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist has additional information about carbachol ophthalmic written for health professionals that you may read.

What does my medication look like?

Carbachol ophthalmic is available with a prescription under the brand names Isopto Carbachol ophthalmic and Carboptic in 0.75%, 1.5%, 2.25%, and 3% solutions. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

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