Carbachol, Ophthalmic

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KEY POINTS

• This medicine is used in the eyes to treat high pressure in the eyes. Use it exactly as directed.
• This medicine may cause unwanted side effects. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that are serious, continue, or get worse.
• Tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take.

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What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: antiglaucoma; miotic

Generic and brand names: carbachol, ophthalmic; Isopto Carbachol; Miostat

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is used to treat high pressure in the eyes. High pressure in the eyes happens with glaucoma and other conditions.

This medicine may be used to treat other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• An allergic reaction to any medicine or to latex
• Asthma or breathing problems
• Heart disease or blood pressure problems
• Parkinson’s disease
• Peptic ulcers
• Thyroid problems
• Trouble urinating

Females of childbearing age: Talk with your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

How do I use it?

This injection form of this medicine is given by a healthcare provider.

Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Be sure you know when to take the medicine and how much medicine you should take. Carefully follow the instructions for using this medicine. If you are not sure how to use this medicine, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for help.

Check with your healthcare provider before using this medicine in children under age 18.

Wash your hands before and after putting this medicine in your eyes. Tilt your head back and gently pull your lower eyelid down to form a pouch.

Hold the dropper directly above your eye, look up, and squeeze a drop of medicine into the pouch. Close your eyes for a minutes and with a fingertip press gently on the inside corner or your eye to keep the medicine from draining out. Do not rub your eyes.

To keep from contaminating the medicine, do not allow the tip of the dropper to touch your eye or any other surface. After use, put the cap on tightly. Do not rinse the dropper. Do not use the medicine if it becomes discolored.

If your healthcare provider has prescribed more than one eye medicine, use them at least 5 minutes apart. Ask your doctor or pharmacist which eye medicine should be used first.

What should I watch out for?

Your doctor may want to check your eye pressure regularly.

This medicine may blur or change your vision for a short time after you use it. You may not be able to see as well at night or in dim light. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that requires good vision unless you can see clearly.

If you wear contact lenses, ask your doctor if you can continue to wear them while you are using this medicine.

Be sure to tell your healthcare provider if you are using any other medicines in your eyes. You may need to allow some time between applications of these products or to stop using the other medicines.

If you need emergency care, surgery, lab tests, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are using this medicine.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help.): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; chest pain or tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Serious (Report these to your healthcare provider right away.): Trouble breathing, tightness in your chest, flushing, loss of bladder control, sweating, weakness, stomach pain, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, irregular heartbeat, watering of mouth, muscle tremors, veil or curtain appearing across part of vision.

Other: Blurred vision or changes in your vision; temporary redness, burning, or stinging in your eyes; headache; eye twitching.

What products might interact with this medicine?

No significant drug interactions have been reported.

If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.

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This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicines in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.