Atropine vs. Isopto Carpine for Heart Attack and Glaucoma: Important Differences and Potential Risks.

Atropine

(Isopto Atropine)

pilocarpine eye drops

Summary for Atropine

Prescription only

Atropine (Isopto Atropine) is an eye medication that's used to dilate or widen the pupil (the black part of your eye). It's also used to treat lazy eye. This medication is an anticholinergic that works to make the pupil bigger. Atropine (Isopto Atropine) comes as eye drops and an eye ointment. The usual dosage is to apply the medication to the eye(s) 1 to 2 times daily. It can be used in people 3 months and up according to the eye specialist's instructions. Side effects include temporary eye pain, stinging, eye sensitivity to light, and blurry vision. Atropine (Isopto Atropine) is available as a brand-name and generic medication.

Indications for Atropine

Pupil dilation (e.g., for eye exams) - eye drops and eye ointment
Temporary paralysis of the eye muscle (cycloplegia) - eye drops and eye ointment
Treatment for lazy eye - eye drops only

Pros and Cons for Atropine

Pros

Eye drops can be used in children 3 months and older
Can be used as an alternative to wearing a patch over the stronger eye for treating lazy eye

Cons

Can make your eyes sensitive to light and vision blurry for up to 2 weeks
Might raise your blood pressure

Common Side Effects for Atropine

Eye pain
Eye stinging
Blurry vision
Eye sensitivity to light
Dry eyes

Warnings for Atropine

Light sensitivity and blurry vision
Rise in blood pressure
Greater risk of side effects in people with certain medical conditions affecting the nervous system

Summary for Isopto Carpine

Prescription only

Generic pilocarpine eye drops, formerly known by the brand name Isopto Carpine, are used to treat and prevent high eye pressure. They're also used to shrink the pupil (the black part of your eye), typically before certain eye procedures. This medication belongs to the drug class called cholinergic agonists. The usual dosage is 1 drop in the eye(s) up to 4 times a day. Side effects can include headache, temporary blurry vision, and eye irritation.

Indications for Isopto Carpine

High pressure in the eye
Glaucoma (open-angle or acute angle-closure)
Prevention of high eye pressure due to laser eye surgery
Shrinking the size of the pupils (miosis)

Pros and Cons for Isopto Carpine

Pros

Lowers eye pressure to prevent long-term damage, such as blindness
Can use for adults and children
Available as a lower-cost generic

Cons

Not a first-choice medication for treating glaucoma long term
Sometimes need to use up to 4 times a day
Can make it hard to see clearly at night or to focus on objects at different distances, so might not be safe for you to drive after you use the eye drops

Common Side Effects for Isopto Carpine

Side effects occurring in 5% or more of people:

Headache or eyebrow ache
Difficulty focusing when looking at objects at different distances
Blurry vision
Eye irritation
Worse vision
Eye pain

Note: Side effects listed were reported by people who used the 2% strength of pilocarpine eye drops with Betoptic-S (betaxolol) 0.25% eye drops.

Warnings for Isopto Carpine

Worse vision
Retinal detachment
Not recommended for people with inflamed iris
Higher eye pressure in children
Don't wear soft contact lenses when you use pilocarpine eye drops

Prices with our coupons for Atropine vs. Isopto Carpine

Atropine1 eye dropper / 5ml of 1%

$24.46$39.19

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Pilocarpine1 eye dropper / 15ml of 1%

$30.76$101.74

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Atropine vs. Isopto Carpine

Atropine

pilocarpine eye drops

Summary for Atropine

Indications for Atropine

Pros and Cons for Atropine

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Atropine

Warnings for Atropine

Summary for Isopto Carpine

Indications for Isopto Carpine

Pros and Cons for Isopto Carpine

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Isopto Carpine

Warnings for Isopto Carpine

Prices with our coupons for Atropine vs. Isopto Carpine

Compare other Heart Attack and Glaucoma drugs

Browse medications by letter

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Atropine

pilocarpine eye drops

Summary for Atropine

Indications for Atropine

Pros and Cons for Atropine

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Atropine

Warnings for Atropine

Summary for Isopto Carpine

Indications for Isopto Carpine

Pros and Cons for Isopto Carpine

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Isopto Carpine

Warnings for Isopto Carpine