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Cyclogyl

Generic name: cyclopentolate ophthalmicsye-kloe-PEN-toe-late ]
Brand names: Cyclogyl, Cylate
Drug class: Mydriatics

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Nov 6, 2023. Written by Cerner Multum.

What is Cyclogyl?

Cyclopentolate relaxes muscles in your eye to dilate (widen) your pupil.

Cyclogyl (for the eyes) is used to dilate your pupil in preparation for an eye exam.

Cyclogyl may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Cyclogyl side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Tell your caregivers right away if you have:

Infants and young children may be more likely to have side effects from Cyclogyl. For at least 30 minutes after the child has been treated with Cyclogyl, watch for the following side effects:

Common side effects of Cyclogyl may include:

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Warnings

You should not receive this medicine if you have angle-closure glaucoma.

Before taking this medicine

You should not receive Cyclogyl if you have ever had a severe allergic reaction to Cyclogyl, or if you have angle-closure glaucoma.

To make sure Cyclogyl is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have glaucoma.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether Cyclogyl will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant.

It is not known whether cyclopentolate ophthalmic passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should is Cyclogyl given?

This medicine is usually given about 40 to 50 minutes before your eye exam or other procedure.

A healthcare provider will place the eyedrops into your eyes.

After you receive the drops, close your eyes for 2 or 3 minutes with your head tipped down, without blinking or squinting. Gently press your finger to the inside corner of the eye to keep the liquid from draining into your tear duct.

Cyclogyl can cause feeding problems in an infant. After this medicine has been given to your infant, wait at least 4 hours before you feed the child.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Since Cyclogyl is used as needed, it does not have a daily dosing schedule.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid after receiving Cyclogyl?

Cyclogyl can cause blurred vision for up to 24 hours after using it. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be able to see clearly.

Cyclogyl may also make your eyes more sensitive to light. Until the effects wear off, protect your eyes from the sun or bright light.

What other drugs will affect Cyclogyl?

It is not likely that other drugs you take orally or inject will have an effect on cyclopentolate used in the eyes. But many drugs can interact with each other. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all medicines you use, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

Further information

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.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.