Mydriacyl eye drops
Mydriacyl eye drops contain the active ingredient tropicamide, which is a type of medicine called an anticholinergic (or antimuscarinic). It is used to aid eye examinations.
How does it work?
Tropicamide blocks muscarinic receptors in the muscles of the eye. These receptors are involved controlling the size of the pupil and the shape of the lens. By blocking these receptors, tropicamide causes
the pupil to dilate (mydriasis), which it makes it easier to examine
structures inside the eyeball, such as the retina, optic disc, macula
and fovea. This is called fundoscopy.
Tropicamide also temporarily paralyses the muscles that help the eye focus (cycloplegia), which is used to aid tests on vision (cycloplegic refraction).
One
or two drops will be put into the eyes 15 to 20 minutes before the eye
exam. The effect of these eye drops lasts for about four to six hours.
Side effects
Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways.
The following are some of the side effects that are known to be
associated with this medicine. Just because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.
- Temporary stinging in the eye.
- Temporary sensitivity of the eyes to light due to the dilated pupil.
- Blurred vision.
- Raised pressure inside the eyeball.
- If the drops are used for a prolonged time this can cause eye irritation, redness, swelling or conjunctivitis.
- Dry mouth.
- Dry skin.
- Flushing.
- Difficulty passing urine.
- Constipation.
- Irregular heartbeat and awareness of your heartbeat.
- Vomiting.
- Dizziness.
- Rash in children.
- Enlarged abdomen in infants.
Behaviour changes and severe effects on the heart and/or breathing that require urgent medical attention may also occur in children.
The
side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects
reported by the medicine's manufacturer. For more information about any
other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the
information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.
How can this medicine affect other medicines?
You should always tell your doctor, optometrist or
pharmacist what medicines you are already using, including those bought
without a prescription and herbal medicines, before these eye drops are
used, so they can make sure that the combination is safe.
Eye
drops can be absorbed into the bloodstream from the eye and once in the
bloodstream they have the potential to interact with other medicines.
You can minimise the absorption into the bloodstream by pressing on the
tear duct (the corner of the eye closest to the nose) for about a minute
after the drops are put in.
Many groups of medicines have anticholinergic effects.
If this medicine is used in people taking any of these, there may be an
increased likelihood of anticholinergic side effects, such as blurred
vision, dry mouth, constipation and difficulty passing urine. Other
medicines with anticholinergic effects include the following:
- amantadine
- antihistamines, eg brompheniramine, chlorphenamine
- antispasmodics, eg hyoscine
- antipsychotics, eg chlorpromazine, clozapine
- certain antisickness medicines, eg promethazine, prochlorperazine, meclozine, cyclizine
- certain medicines for abnormal heartbeats (antiarrhythmics), eg disopyramide, propafenone
- MAOI antidepressants, eg phenelzine
- medicines for urinary incontinence, eg oxybutynin, flavoxate, tolterodine, propiverine, trospium
- memantine
- muscle relaxants, eg baclofen
- nefopam
- other anticholinergics, eg trihexyphenidyl, orphenadrine
- tricyclic or related antidepressants, eg amitriptyline, maprotiline.




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