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Proparacaine: Package Insert / Prescribing Info

Package insert / product label
Generic name: proparacaine hydrochloride
Dosage form: ophthalmic solution
Drug class: Ophthalmic anesthetics

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jan 30, 2024.

Ophthalmic Solution, USP
0.5% Sterile

Rx Only

Proparacaine Description

Proparacaine Hydrochloride Ophthalmic Solution USP, 0.5% is a local anesthetic for ophthalmic instillation. Each mL of sterile, aqueous solution contains: Active: Proparacaine Hydrochloride 5 mg (0.5%). Inactives: Glycerin as a stabilizer, Hydrochloric Acid and/or Sodium Hydroxide may be added to adjust pH (3.5 to 6.0), and Water for Injection. Preservative: Benzalkonium Chloride 0.1 mg (0.01%).

Proparacaine hydrochloride is designed chemically as 2-(Diethylamino)ethyl 3-amino-4-propoxybenzoate monohydrochloride. The active ingredient is represented by the structural formula:

Structural Formula

Proparacaine - Clinical Pharmacology

Proparacaine Hydrochloride Ophthalmic Solution is a rapid acting local anesthetic suitable for ophthalmic use. With a single drop, the onset of anesthesia begins within 30 seconds and persists for 15 minutes or longer.

The main site of anesthetic action is the nerve cell membrane where proparacaine interferes with the large transient increase in the membrane permeability to sodium ions that is normally produced by a slight depolarization of the membrane. As the anesthetic action progressively develops in a nerve, the threshold for electrical stimulation gradually increases and the safety factor for conduction decreases; when this action is sufficiently well developed, block of conduction is produced.

The exact mechanism whereby proparacaine and other local anesthetics influence the permeability of the cell membrane is unknown; however, several studies indicate that local anesthetics may limit sodium ion permeability by closing the pores through which the ions migrate in the lipid layer of the nerve cell membrane. This limitation prevents the fundamental change necessary for the generation of the action potential.

Indications and Usage for Proparacaine

Proparacaine Hydrochloride Ophthalmic Solution is indicated for topical anesthesia in ophthalmic practice. Representative ophthalmic procedures in which the preparation provides good local anesthesia include measurement of intraocular pressure (tonometry), removal of foreign bodies and sutures from the cornea, conjunctival scraping in diagnosis and gonioscopic examination; it is also indicated for use as a topical anesthetic prior to surgical operations such as cataract extraction.

Contraindications

This preparation is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to any component of the solution.

Warnings

NOT FOR INJECTION. FOR TOPICAL OPHTHALMIC USE ONLY.

Prolonged use of a topical ocular anesthetic may produce permanent corneal opacification with accompanying loss of vision.

Precautions

General

Proparacaine should be used cautiously and sparingly in patients with known allergies, cardiac disease, or hyperthyroidism. The long-term toxicity of proparacaine is unknown; prolonged use may possibly delay wound healing. Although exceedingly rare with ophthalmic application of local anesthetics, it should be borne in mind that systemic toxicity (manifested by central nervous system stimulation followed by depression) may occur.

Protection of the eye from irritating chemicals, foreign bodies and rubbing during the period of anesthesia is very important. Tonometers soaked in sterilizing or detergent solutions should be thoroughly rinsed with sterile distilled water prior to use. Patients should be advised to avoid touching the eye until the anesthesia has worn off. Do not touch dropper tip to any surface as this may contaminate the solution.

Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility

Long-term studies in animals have not been performed to evaluate carcinogenic potential, mutagenicity, or possible impairment of fertility in males or females.

Pregnancy: Teratogenic Effects

Category C

Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with Proparacaine Hydrochloride Ophthalmic Solution. It is also not known whether proparacaine hydrochloride can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman or can affect reproduction capacity. Proparacaine hydrochloride should be administered to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed.

Nursing Mothers

It is not known whether this drug is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, caution should be exercised when proparacaine hydrochloride is administered to a nursing woman.

Pediatric Use

Controlled clinical studies have not been performed with Proparacaine Hydrochloride Ophthalmic Solution to establish safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients; however, the literature cites the use of proparacaine hydrochloride as a topical ophthalmic anesthetic agent in pediatric patients.

Adverse Reactions/Side Effects

Pupillary dilatation or cycloplegic effects have rarely been observed with proparacaine hydrochloride. The drug appears to be safe for use in patients sensitive to other local anesthetics, but local or systemic sensitivity occasionally occurs. Instillation of proparacaine in the eye at recommended concentration and dosage usually produces little or no initial irritation, stinging, burning, conjunctival redness, lacrimation or increased winking. However, some local irritation and stinging may occur several hours after the instillation.

Rarely, a severe, immediate-type, apparently hyperallergic corneal reaction may occur which includes acute, intense and diffuse epithelial keratitis; a gray, ground-glass appearance; sloughing of large areas of necrotic epithelium; corneal filaments and, sometimes, iritis with descemetitis.

Allergic contact dermatitis with drying and fissuring of the fingertips has been reported.

Softening and erosion of the corneal epithelium and conjunctival congestion and hemorrhage have been reported.

Proparacaine Dosage and Administration

Deep anesthesia as in cataract extraction:

Instill 1 drop to the eye every 5 to 10 minutes for 5 to 7 doses.

Removal of sutures:

Instill 1 or 2 drops to the eye 2 or 3 minutes before removal of stitches.

Removal of foreign bodies:

Instill 1 or 2 drops to the eye prior to operating.

Tonometry:

Instill 1 or 2 drops to the eye immediately before measurement.

How is Proparacaine supplied

Proparacaine Hydrochloride Ophthalmic Solution USP, 0.5% is supplied as a sterile solution in 15 mL plastic dropper bottles — NDC 13985-611-15

Storage and Handling

Refrigerate at 2° to 8°C (36° to 46°F). Keep bottle tightly closed. Store in carton until empty to protect from light. If solution shows more than a faint yellow color, it should not be used.

WARNING — KEEP THIS AND ALL DRUGS OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN.

apexa™
Manufactured by: Akorn Inc.
Lake Forest, IL 60045

Distributed by: MWI
Boise, ID 83705

MWPR00N Rev. 08/14

Principal Display Panel Text for Container Label:

NDC 13985-611-15

Proparacaine Hydrochloride

Ophthalmic Solution, USP 0.5%

FOR TOPICAL

OPHTHALMIC USE ONLY.

NOT FOR INJECTION.

Apexa logo STERILE

Rx Only

AP 704013 15 mL

Principal Display Panel Text for Container Label

Principal Display Panel Text for Carton Label:

NDC 13985-611-15

Proparacaine

Hydrochloride

Ophthalmic

Solution

USP, 0.5%

FOR TOPICAL

OPHTHALMIC USE ONLY.

NOT FOR INJECTION.

STERILE

Rx Only

Apexa logo

AP 704013 15 mL

Principal Display Panel Text for Carton Label
PROPARACAINE HYDROCHLORIDE
proparacaine hydrochloride solution/ drops
Product Information
Product TypeHUMAN PRESCRIPTION DRUGItem Code (Source)NDC:13985-611
Route of AdministrationOPHTHALMIC
Active Ingredient/Active Moiety
Ingredient NameBasis of StrengthStrength
Proparacaine Hydrochloride (UNII: U96OL57GOY) (Proparacaine - UNII:B4OB0JHI1X) Proparacaine Hydrochloride5 mg in 1 mL
Inactive Ingredients
Ingredient NameStrength
Glycerin (UNII: PDC6A3C0OX)
Hydrochloric Acid (UNII: QTT17582CB)
Sodium Hydroxide (UNII: 55X04QC32I)
Water (UNII: 059QF0KO0R)
Benzalkonium Chloride (UNII: F5UM2KM3W7)
Packaging
#Item CodePackage DescriptionMarketing Start DateMarketing End Date
1NDC:13985-611-151 in 1 CARTON03/27/2015
115 mL in 1 BOTTLE, DROPPER; Type 0: Not a Combination Product
Marketing Information
Marketing CategoryApplication Number or Monograph CitationMarketing Start DateMarketing End Date
ANDAANDA04027703/27/2015
Labeler - MWI (019926120)
Registrant - Akorn Operating Company LLC (117693100)
Establishment
NameAddressID/FEIBusiness Operations
Akorn117696790PACK(13985-611) , LABEL(13985-611)
Establishment
NameAddressID/FEIBusiness Operations
Akorn117696832MANUFACTURE(13985-611) , ANALYSIS(13985-611) , STERILIZE(13985-611)