Brand names: Atropine Care, Isopto Atropine
Drug class: Mydriatics

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Sep 10, 2024. Written by ASHP.

Introduction

Mydriatic and cycloplegic; naturally occurring tertiary amine antimuscarinic.

Uses for Atropine Sulfate (EENT)

Ophthalmologic Examination

Used to produce mydriasis and cycloplegia for refraction (e.g., retina and optic disc examination, measurement of refractive error). However, because of long duration of action relative to that of other anticholinergic agents, atropine is seldom, if ever, used for cycloplegic refraction in adults.

In rare cases, ophthalmic atropine use may be necessary to achieve maximal cycloplegia in pediatric patients, but cyclopentolate is more frequently used.

Ophthalmic Inflammation

Management of acute inflammatory conditions (e.g., iridocyclitis) of the iris and uveal tract (e.g., uveitis).

Amblyopia

Used for cycloplegic effects in the treatment of suppression amblyopia (lazy eye) to reduce the visual acuity of the unaffected eye below that of the amblyopic one and force fixation with the amblyopic eye.

Excess Accommodation and Convergence

Used to treat patients with a functional excess of accommodation and convergence.

Atropine Sulfate (EENT) Dosage and Administration

General

• Prior to initiation of therapy, estimate the depth of the angle of the anterior chamber to avoid induction of angle-closure glaucoma in susceptible patients.

Administration

Ophthalmic Administration

Apply topically to eye(s) as an ophthalmic ointment or solution.

For topical ophthalmic use only. Not for injection.

Following topical application, apply finger pressure on the lacrimal sac for 2–3 minutes to avoid excessive systemic absorption.

Avoid contamination of the solution or ointment container.

Dosage

Available as atropine sulfate; dosage expressed in terms of the salt.

In patients with heavily pigmented irides, higher dosages may be required.

Pediatric Patients

Cycloplegic Refraction† [off-label]

Ophthalmic

1–2 drops of a 0.5% solution in the eye(s) twice daily has been used for 1–3 days before the procedure, but this preparation no longer is commercially available in the US. No specific pediatric dosage recommendations for 1% ophthalmic solution. (See Pediatric Use under Cautions.)

Alternatively, apply 0.3 cm of a 1% ointment into the conjunctival sac 3 times daily for 1–3 days before the procedure. (See Pediatric Use under Cautions.)

Inflammatory Conditions

Uveitis† [off-label]

Ophthalmic

1–2 drops of a 0.5% solution into the affected eye(s) up to 3 times daily has been used, but this preparation no longer is commercially available in the US. No specific pediatric dosage recommendations for 1% ophthalmic solution.

Alternatively, apply 0.3–0.5 cm of a 1% ointment into the conjunctival sac of the affected eye(s) 1–3 times daily.

Adults

Mydriasis and Cycloplegia for Refraction

Ophthalmic

1 drop of a 1% solution in the eye(s) 1 hour before the procedure.

Alternatively, apply 0.3–0.5 cm of a 1% ointment into the conjunctival sac 1–3 times daily. If ointment is used for refraction, apply several hours before procedure.

Inflammatory Conditions

Uveitis

Ophthalmic

1–2 drops of a 1% solution into the affected eye(s) up to 4 times daily, or as directed by a clinician. Alternatively, apply 0.3–0.5 cm of a 1% ointment into the conjunctival sac of the affected eye(s) 1–3 times daily.

Special Populations

No special population dosage recommendations at this time.

Cautions for Atropine Sulfate (EENT)

Contraindications

• Known hypersensitivity to atropine or any ingredient in the formulation.

• Pediatric patients who have previously had a severe systemic reaction to atropine.

• Known or suspected angle-closure (narrow-angle) glaucoma or tendency toward angle-closure glaucoma.

Warnings/Precautions

Warnings

Overdosage

Excessive use in children and patients with a history of susceptibility to belladonna alkaloids may produce systemic manifestations of atropine poisoning (e.g., flushing, skin dryness, rash in children, rapid and irregular pulse, fever, abdominal distention in infants, mental aberration, loss of neuromuscular coordination). If systemic symptoms occur, discontinue the drug and initiate appropriate therapy.

Specific Populations

Pregnancy

Category C.

Lactation

Not known whether atropine is distributed into milk. Caution when used in nursing women.

Pediatric Use

Safety and efficacy of atropine sulfate 1% ophthalmic solution have not been established in pediatric patients.

Use with extreme caution, if at all, in infants and small children, and in children with spastic paralysis or brain damage because of increased susceptibility to the systemic effects of the drug in these patients.

Coma and death have been reported in very young patients.

Geriatric Use

No substantial differences in safety or efficacy relative to younger adults.

Common Adverse Effects

Elevated IOP. With prolonged administration, local irritation, hyperemia, edema, exudate, follicular conjunctivitis, dermatitis.

Atropine Sulfate (EENT) Pharmacokinetics

Absorption

Bioavailability

Following topical application to the eye, readily absorbed transconjunctivally.

Onset

Following topical application to the eye, maximum mydriasis occurs in about 30–40 minutes, and maximum cycloplegia occurs after several hours.

Duration

Mydriasis generally lasts about 7–12 days, and cycloplegia persists for up to 14 days or longer.

Special Populations

Onset of effects may be slower and duration more prolonged in individuals with heavily pigmented irides. (See Dosage under Dosage and Administration.)

Distribution

Extent

Not known whether atropine is distributed into milk after topical application to the eye.

Stability

Storage

Ophthalmic

Ointment

Tightly closed containers at 15–30°C. Protect from heat; do not freeze.

Solution

Tight containers at 8–27°C, or as specified by manufacturer. Do not freeze.

Actions

• After topical application to the eye, blocks responses of the sphincter muscle of the iris and the accommodative ciliary muscle of the ciliary body to cholinergic stimulation.

• Produces pupillary dilation (mydriasis) and paralysis of accommodation (cycloplegia).

• Slower onset of mydriatic and cycloplegic action and more prolonged ocular effects than most other anticholinergic drugs.

Advice to Patients

• Advise patients not to drive or engage in hazardous activities while pupils are dilated.

• Advise patients that they may experience sensitivity to light and should protect eyes in bright illumination during dilation.

• Advise parents to prevent the child from getting the solution or ointment into his or her mouth and to wash their own hands and the child’s hands following administration.

• Importance of learning and adhering to proper administration techniques to avoid contamination of the product.

• Importance of applying finger pressure on the lacrimal sac of the eye for 2–3 minutes following topical administration.

• Importance of informing clinicians of existing or contemplated concomitant therapy, including prescription and OTC drugs and dietary or herbal supplements, as well as any concomitant illnesses.

• Importance of women informing clinicians if they are or plan to become pregnant or plan to breast-feed.

• Importance of informing patients of other important precautionary information. (See Cautions.)

Additional Information

The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. represents that the information provided in the accompanying monograph was formulated with a reasonable standard of care, and in conformity with professional standards in the field. Readers are advised that decisions regarding use of drugs are complex medical decisions requiring the independent, informed decision of an appropriate health care professional, and that the information contained in the monograph is provided for informational purposes only. The manufacturer’s labeling should be consulted for more detailed information. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. does not endorse or recommend the use of any drug. The information contained in the monograph is not a substitute for medical care.

Preparations

Excipients in commercially available drug preparations may have clinically important effects in some individuals; consult specific product labeling for details.

Please refer to the ASHP Drug Shortages Resource Center for information on shortages of one or more of these preparations.

* available from one or more manufacturer, distributor, and/or repackager by generic (nonproprietary) name

Reload page with references included

Medical Disclaimer