cyclopentolate
Cyclopentolate (Cyclogyl) is an anticholinergic ophthalmic solution (eye drop). It's placed directly into the eyes to dilate pupils (mydriasis) and paralyze the eye muscles (cycloplegia) in preparation for an eye exam or procedure. Side effects of this medication include a burning sensation and light sensitivity. It usually takes about 24 hours for the effects of cyclopentolate (Cyclogyl) to fade.
What is Cyclopentolate (Cyclogyl)?
What is Cyclopentolate (Cyclogyl) used for?
- Pupil dilation (mydriasis) and paralysis of the eye muscle (cycloplegia)
How Cyclopentolate (Cyclogyl) works
Cyclopentolate (Cyclogyl) is an anticholinergic medication. When placed in the eyes, it causes the pupils to dilate (widen) and the eye muscles to relax in preparation for an eye exam.
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Cyclogyl |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Anticholinergic |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | Lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
Side effects of Cyclopentolate (Cyclogyl)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Burning sensation in the eye(s)
- Blurred vision
- Eye irritation
- Sensitivity to light
Less Common Side Effects
- Eye or eyelid redness
- Behavior changes in children
Cyclopentolate (Cyclogyl) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Severe allergic reaction: hives; trouble breathing; swelling in the face, tongue, or throat
The following Cyclopentolate (Cyclogyl) side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:
Symptoms of too much medicine being absorbed into the body
Clumsiness or unsteadiness
confusion
constipation, full feeling, passing gas, or stomach cramps or pain
fast or irregular heartbeat
convulsions (seizures)
flushing or redness of face
hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there)
passing urine less often
skin rash
slurred speech
swollen stomach (in infants)
thirst or dryness of mouth
unusual behavior, such as disorientation to time or place, failure to recognize people, hyperactivity, or restlessness, especially in children
unusual drowsiness, tiredness, or weakness
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Blurred vision
burning of eye
eye irritation not present before therapy
increased sensitivity of eyes to light
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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Pros and cons of Cyclopentolate (Cyclogyl)
Pros
- Starts to work within 5 to 10 minutes
- Usually only need 1 or 2 drops for it to work
- Can be used in children of all ages
- Available as a lower-cost generic medication
Cons
- Can make your eyes sensitive to light
- Can make your vision blurry, so not safe to drive
- Not safe to drive after applying eye drops
- Might take 24 hours (sometimes longer) for your eye to recover from the effects of cyclopentolate (Cyclogyl)
Pharmacist tips for Cyclopentolate (Cyclogyl)
- Let your optometrist know if you wear contacts. If you wear contact lenses, you'll need to remove them before receiving cyclopentolate (Cyclogyl) drops in your eye(s). Check with your optometrist or ophthalmologist on when you can reinsert the contact lenses.
- Your eyes might be more sensitive to light while your pupils are dilated and you might experience changes in vision. It's important that you protect your eyes from light as much as possible until the medication's effects wear off. Don't drive until the effects of the medication have completely worn off.
- Cyclopentolate (Cyclogyl) can affect how well babies tolerate feeding. It's recommended to not feed them for 4 hours after a dose.
More tips if you're using cyclopentolate (Cyclogyl) at home:
- Your optometrist or ophthalmologist might ask you to use cyclopentolate (Cyclogyl) at home before your appointment to shorten wait time at the office. If so, then make sure you have a caregiver who can drive you to the appointment. Your eyes will be more sensitive to light after the eye drops, so it's not safe for you to drive.
- Wash your hands before and after using cyclopentolate (Cyclogyl). To avoid spreading germs into the medication, don't touch the dropper tip to any surface, including your eye, eyelids, or ear.
- To use cyclopentolate (Cyclogyl), tilt your head backward and look up. Then, gently pull your lower eyelid down to form a small pocket and squeeze one drop of medication into this pocket.
- Don't blink or wipe your eyes after applying cyclopentolate (Cyclogyl). Close your eyes while pressing a finger against the inside corner of your eye for about 2 to 3 minutes to help keep the medication in your eye. If you need to take more than one drop, wait a few minutes in between each drop.
- If you're using cyclopentolate (Cyclogyl) at the same time as other eye drop medications, wait 5 minutes between each medication to give your eyes time to absorb each medication.
- Keep the bottle at room temperature for the drug to work properly. Do not put it in the fridge or freezer.
Risks and warnings for Cyclopentolate (Cyclogyl)
Cyclopentolate (Cyclogyl) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
For use in the eye only
Only use cyclopentolate (Cyclogyl) drops on the surface of the eyes. It shouldn't ever be injected into the eyes or given any other way in the body. Contact your eye specialist or pharmacist if you're not sure how to use cyclopentolate (Cyclogyl) correctly.
Caution use of higher strength in infants and children
- Risk factors: Using the 2% strength of cyclopentolate (Cyclogyl)
Cyclopentolate (Cyclogyl) may cause mood and behavioral changes in babies and young children, especially if the 2% strength of the medication is used. These changes can include impaired balance and coordination, confusion, hallucinations, and restlessness. Watch children closely for at least 30 minutes after applying cyclopentolate (Cyclogyl). Don't feed infants for 4 hours after using cyclopentolate (Cyclogyl) because of possible feeding problems, like upset stomach and diarrhea.
Temporary rise in eye pressure
- Risk factors: History of untreated narrow-angle glaucoma | Taking medications to lower eye pressure
Cyclopentolate (Cyclogyl) can temporarily raise the pressure in your eye after administration. If you have glaucoma, talk to your eye specialist before using cyclopentolate (Cyclogyl) to see if the medication is safe for you.
Damage to contact lenses (when used in the eye)
Cyclopentolate (Cyclogyl) contains a preservative called benzalkonium chloride. This preservative can get absorbed into soft contact lenses and damage them. Your eye specialist will advise you to remove all contact lenses during the procedure. Ask them when it's safe for you to wear contact lenses again.
Cyclopentolate (Cyclogyl) dosage
Interactions between Cyclopentolate (Cyclogyl) and other drugs
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Amifampridine
- Clozapine
- Donepezil
- Glucagon
- Glycopyrrolate
- Glycopyrronium Tosylate
- Methacholine
- Quetiapine
- Revefenacin
- Scopolamine
- Secretin Human
- Tiotropium
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