Can I use Iheezo (chloroprocaine) if I'm allergic to another local anesthetic?

It'll depend on the allergic reaction and how severe it was. If you had a severe reaction, your provider might give you something else. If you've ever had an allergic reaction to an [anesthetic or numbing medication](https://www.goodrx.com/classes/local-anesthetics) (they usually end in *-caine*), including injections or skin products, let your provider know before receiving this medication.

Iheezo

chloroprocaine hydrochloride

Used for Anesthesia

Iheezo (chloroprocaine) is a numbing eye gel used for people undergoing a procedure in the eye. Because it can work within 1 minute, it's given right before your procedure. The medication is applied by a healthcare provider only.

Reviewed by:

Robert Chad Hakim, PharmD, BCCCP

Kristianne Hannemann, PharmD

Last reviewed on October 25, 2022

What is Iheezo (chloroprocaine)?

What is Iheezo (chloroprocaine) used for?

Numbing the eye for a procedure or surgery

Are you looking for information on proparacaine (Alcaine) instead?

Drug facts

Common Brands	Iheezo
Drug Class	Local anesthetic
Controlled Substance Classification	Not a controlled medication
Generic Status	No lower-cost generic available
Availability	Prescription only

Common Brands

Iheezo

Drug Class

Local anesthetic

Controlled Substance Classification

Not a controlled medication

Generic Status

No lower-cost generic available

Availability

Prescription only

Common questions about Iheezo

Iheezo is a local anesthetic gel that's used to numb your eye for a procedure so you don't feel pain. Iheezo is only given by a healthcare provider for people in a hospital or clinic setting.

Iheezo works by numbing the nerves and making them less sensitive to pain. This blocks any sensation in your eye, which allows a provider to perform a procedure in your eyes without you feeling pain or discomfort.

The typical dose of Iheezo is 3 drops to the part of the surface of your eye where your healthcare provider will perform the procedure. Depending on how long the procedure takes, your provider might need to give you more drops of the medication so that it lasts the entire time of the procedure.

Common side effects include widening of the pupils, eye redness, and eye irritation. Using Iheezo for a long time can also cause your eyes to become cloudy or opaque with possible vision loss. Your provider will give you the lowest dose for the shortest amount of time possible to lower your risk for these side effects. Finally, make sure you don't touch or rub your eye while it's numb for at least 20 minutes after you receive Iheezo. You could damage your eye and not even know it.

It'll depend on the allergic reaction and how severe it was. If you had a severe reaction, your provider might give you something else. If you've ever had an allergic reaction to an anesthetic or numbing medication (they usually end in -caine), including injections or skin products, let your provider know before receiving this medication.