What is Isopto Atropine and how is it used?
Isopto Atropine is a prescription medicine used to treat the symptoms of Mydriasis, Cycloplegia and Uveitis. Isopto Atropine may be used alone or with other medications.
Isopto Atropine belongs to a class of drugs called Cycloplegics/Mydriatics; Anticholinergic Agents, Ophthalmic.
It is not known if Isopto Atropine is safe and effective in children.
What are the possible side effects of Isopto Atropine?
Isopto Atropine may cause serious side effects including:
- hives,
- difficulty breathing,
- swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat,
- severe burning or stinging of the eyes,
- severe eye redness or irritation,
- fast heart rate,
- restlessness,
- irritability,
- flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling),
- severe headache,
- blurred vision,
- pounding in your neck or ears,
- nosebleed, and
- anxiety
Get medical help right away, if you have any of the symptoms listed above.
The most common side effects of Isopto Atropine include:
- mild stinging or pain when the drops are placed in your eye,
- mild eye pain,
- dry mouth, nose, or throat,
- puffy or watery eyes,
- blurred vision, and
- your eyes may have increased sensitivity to light
Tell the doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.
These are not all the possible side effects of Isopto Atropine. For more information, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
DESCRIPTION
ISOPTO® Atropine 1% is a sterile topical ophthalmic solution. Each mL of ISOPTO® Atropine 1% contains 10 mg of atropine sulfate monohydrate equivalent to 9.7 mg/mL of atropine sulfate or 8.3 mg of atropine. Atropine sulfate monohydrate is designated chemically as benzeneacetic acid, α-(hydroxymethyl)-,8-methyl-8-aza-bicyclo-[3.2.1]oct-3-yl ester, endo-(±)-, sulfate(2:1) (salt), monohydrate. Its molecular formula is (C17H23NO3)2 • H2SO4 • H2O and it is represented by the chemical structure:
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Atropine sulfate monohydrate is colorless crystals or white crystalline powder and has a molecular weight of 694.83.
ISOPTO® Atropine 1% has a pH of 3.5 to 6.0.
Active ingredient: atropine sulfate monohydrate 1.0%
Preservative: benzalkonium chloride 0.01%
Inactive ingredients: hypromellose, boric acid, sodium hydroxide and/or hydrochloric acid (to adjust pH), purified water.
INDICATIONS
ISOPTO® Atropine 1% is indicated for:
Mydriasis
Cycloplegia
Penalization Of The healthy Eye In The Treatment Of Amblyopia
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION
In Individuals From Three (3) Months Of Age Or Greater, 1 Drop Topically To The Cul-De-Sac Of The Conjunctiva, Forty Minutes Prior To The Intended Maximal Dilation Time.
In Individuals 3 Years Of Age Or Greater, Doses May Be Repeated Up To Twice Daily As Needed.
HOW SUPPLIED
Dosage Forms And Strengths
Ophthalmic solution: 1% atropine sulfate (10mg/mL)
Storage And Handling
ISOPTO® Atropine 1% is supplied sterile in low-density polyethylene plastic DROP-TAINER® dispensers with low-density polyethylene tips and red polypropylene caps as follows:
- 5 mL filled in 8-mL bottles NDC 0065-0303-55
- 15 mL filled in 15-mL bottles NDC 0065-0303-15
Storage: Store ISOPTO® Atropine 1% at 2–25°C (36–77°F).
Manufactured by: ALCON LABORATORIES, INC. Fort Worth, Texas 76134 USA. Revised: December 2016

SLIDESHOW
Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis) Symptoms, Causes, Treatments See SlideshowSIDE EFFECTS
The following adverse reactions are described below and elsewhere in the labeling:
- Photophobia and Blurred Vision [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
- Elevation in Blood Pressure [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
- Increased Adverse Drug Reaction Susceptibility with Certain Central Nervous System Conditions [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
The following adverse reactions have been identified following use of atropine sulfate ophthalmic solution. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure.
Ocular Adverse Reactions
Eye pain and stinging occurs upon instillation of atropine sulfate ophthalmic solution. Other commonly occurring adverse reactions include blurred vision, photophobia, superficial keratitis and decreased lacrimation. Allergic reactions such as papillary conjunctivitis, contact dermatitis, and eyelid edema may also occur less commonly.
Systemic Adverse Reactions
Systemic effects of atropine are related to its anti-muscarinic activity. Systemic adverse events reported include dryness of skin, mouth, and throat from decreased secretions from mucus membranes; drowsiness; restlessness, irritability or delirium from stimulation of the central nervous system; tachycardia; flushed skin of the face and neck.
DRUG INTERACTIONS
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors
The use of atropine and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI) is generally not recommended because of the potential to precipitate hypertensive crisis.
WARNINGS
Included as part of the "PRECAUTIONS" Section
PRECAUTIONS
Photophobia And Blurred Vision
Photophobia and blurred vision due to pupil unresponsiveness and cycloplegia may last up to 2 weeks.
Elevation Of Blood Pressure
Elevation in blood pressure from systemic absorption has been reported following conjunctival instillation of recommended doses of atropine sulfate ophthalmic solution, 1%.
Increased Adverse Drug Reaction Susceptibility With Certain Central Nervous System Conditions
Individuals with Down syndrome, spastic paralysis, or brain damage are particularly susceptible to central nervous system disturbances, cardiopulmonary, and gastrointestinal toxicity from systemic absorption of atropine.
Nonclinical Toxicology
Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment Of Fertility
Atropine sulfate was negative in the Salmonella/microsome mutagenicity test. Studies to evaluate carcinogenicity and impairment of fertility have not been conducted.
Use In Specific Populations
Pregnancy
Risk Summary
There are no adequate and well-controlled studies with ISOPTO® Atropine 1% administration in pregnant women to inform a drug-associated risk. Adequate animal development and reproduction studies have not been conducted with atropine sulfate. In humans, 1% atropine sulfate is systemically bioavailable following topical ocular administration [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY]. ISOPTO® Atropine 1% should only be used during pregnancy if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.
Lactation
There is no information to inform risk regarding the presence of atropine in human milk following ocular administration of ISOPTO® Atropine 1% to the mother. The effects on breastfed infants and the effects on milk production are also unknown. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for ISOPTO® Atropine 1% and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed child from ISOPTO® Atropine 1%.
Pediatric Use
Due to the potential for systemic absorption of atropine sulfate ophthalmic solution the use of ISOPTO® Atropine 1% in children under the age of 3 months is not recommended and the use in children under 3 years of age should be limited to no more than one drop per eye per day. Safety and efficacy in children above the age of 3 months has been established in adequate and well controlled trials.
Geriatric Use
No overall differences in safety or effectiveness have been observed between elderly and adult patients.
OVERDOSE
In the event of accidental ingestion or toxic overdosage with atropine sulfate ophthalmic solution supportive care may include a short acting barbiturate or diazepam as needed to control marked excitement and convulsions. Large doses for sedation should be avoided because central depressant action may coincide with the depression occurring late in atropine poisoning. Central stimulants are not recommended.
Physostigmine, given by slow intravenous injection of 1 to 4 mg (0.5 to 1 mg in pediatric populations), rapidly abolishes delirium and coma caused by large doses of atropine. Since physostigmine is rapidly destroyed, the patient may again lapse into coma after one to two hours, and repeated doses may be required.
Artificial respiration with oxygen may be necessary. Cooling measures may be needed to help to reduce fever, especially in pediatric populations.
The fatal pediatric and adult doses of atropine are not known.
CONTRAINDICATIONS
Atropine sulfate ophthalmic solution should not be used in anyone who has demonstrated a previous hypersensitivity or known allergic reaction to any ingredient of the formulation because it may recur.
CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY
Mechanism Of Action
Atropine acts as a competitive antagonist of the parasympathetic (and sympathetic) acetylcholine muscarinic receptors. Topical atropine on the eye induces mydriasis by inhibiting contraction of the circular pupillary sphincter muscle normally stimulated by acetylcholine. This inhibition allows the countering radial pupillary dilator muscle to contract which results in dilation of the pupil. Additionally, atropine induces cycloplegia by paralysis of the ciliary muscle which controls accommodation while viewing objects.
Pharmacodynamics
The onset of action after administration of ISOPTO Atropine 1% generally occurs in minutes with maximal effect seen in hours and the effect can last multiple days [see Clinical Studies].
Pharmacokinetics
In a study of healthy subjects, after topical ocular administration of 30 μL of atropine sulfate ophthalmic solution, 1%, the mean (± SD) systemic bioavailability of l-hyoscyamine was reported to be approximately 64 ± 29% (range 19% to 95%) as compared to intravenous administration of atropine sulfate. The mean (± SD) time to maximum plasma concentration (Tmax) was approximately 28 ± 27 minutes (range 3 to 60 minutes), and the mean (±SD) peak plasma concentration (Cmax) of l-hyoscyamine was 288 ± 73 pg/mL. The mean (±SD) plasma half-life was reported to be approximately 2.5 ± 0.8 hours.
In a separate study of patients undergoing ocular surgery, after topical ocular administration of 40 μL of atropine sulfate ophthalmic solution, 1%, the mean (± SD) plasma Cmax of l-hyoscyamine was 860 ± 402 pg/mL.
Clinical Studies
Topical administration of ISOPTO® Atropine 1% results in mydriasis and/or cycloplegia, with efficacy demonstrated in both adults and children. The maximum effect for mydriasis is achieved in about 30–40 minutes after administration, with recovery after approximately 7–10 days. The maximum effect for cycloplegia is achieved within 60–180 minutes after administration, with recovery after approximately 7–12 days.
PATIENT INFORMATION
- Advise patients not to drive or engage in other hazardous activities while pupils are dilated.
- Advise patient that they may experience blurry vision and sensitivity to light and should protect their eyes in bright illumination during dilation. These effects may last up to a couple weeks.
- Advise patients that they may experience drowsiness.
- Advise patients not to touch the dispenser tip to any surface, as this may contaminate the solution.
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