atropine

No, atropine (Isopto Atropine) eye drops aren't available over the counter. You'll need a prescription for it from a healthcare professional. For routine eye exams, your eye specialist will place atropine (Isopto Atropine) eye drops into your eye(s) at their office to dilate your pupil and check the health of your eye(s).

Atropine (Isopto Atropine) dilates or widens the pupil. This effect can sometimes last several days. Since widening the pupil causes blurry vision, your vision might be affected for several days as well. Be careful doing anything that you need clear, sharp vision for. Make sure your vision is clear before driving or operating heavy machinery. Speak with the eye specialist if you're concerned about how long the effects of the medication lasts.

Most side effects from atropine (Isopto Atropine) are temporary. Common side effects of the medication include temporary eye pain and stinging when it's placed into the eye. Other common side effects, such as blurry vision and light sensitivity, might last up to 2 weeks after you put the medication into the eye. Make sure to avoid driving a car or operating machinery until your vision is fully back to normal. Talk with an eye specialist if you're concerned about side effects from atropine (Isopto Atropine).

How long you use atropine (Isopto Atropine) depends on the reason you need the medication and your eye specialist's directions. For eye exams, atropine (Isopto Atropine) is usually used only during the appointment. But for treating lazy eye, it can take an average of 4 months of treatment to see improvement. Make sure you don't use atropine (Isopto Atropine) more often or longer than what your treatment requires. Otherwise, it can raise your risk of side effects.

Atropine (Isopto Atropine) is often used after eye surgery to lessen eye inflammation. It's also thought to lessen the risk for complications after surgery, such as fluid buildup in the eye. This is an off-label use of the medication. So the eye specialist will weigh the benefits of using atropine (Isopto Atropine) after eye surgery and the risks for side effects affecting vision to decide whether this medication is right for you.

There are mixed findings from studies about using atropine (Isopto Atropine) eye drops for myopia (nearsightedness) in children. One study showed that low-dose atropine (Isopto Atropine) eye drops might help slow down myopia in children when used regularly at bedtime. But another study's findings don't support this. Keep in mind that dose of atropine (Isopto Atropine) used in these myopia studies is much lower than what's commercially available. Using atropine (Isopto Atropine) eye drops for this purpose is considered off-label because the medication is FDA approved only to dilate the pupil and treat lazy eye. More research is still needed to make sure atropine (Isopto Atropine) is safe and works well for nearsightedness in children. Talk to your eye specialist for the best treatment for nearsightedness.

Don't take or give atropine (Isopto Atropine) eye drops sublingually (under the tongue) or orally (swallowed) unless specifically instructed by the prescriber. Atropine (Isopto Atropine) eye drops are only FDA approved to use in the eyes. There's limited evidence that the off-label usage of the eye drops given sublingually might be helpful for certain people who have severe drooling due to a problem related to the nervous system. But more research is needed in this area. Keep in mind that taking atropine (Isopto Atropine) eye drops by mouth might lead to having too much atropine in the body (atropine poisoning), which can be life-threatening. Follow your prescriber's instructions on how to use atropine (Isopto Atropine) eye drops for your particular medical condition.