Tetcaine (Ophthalmic)

Tetracaine eye drops are used to numb the eye before surgery, certain tests, or procedures. The eye drops are used to prevent pain during the procedure.

Tetracaine is part of a group of medicines known as local anesthetics. It works by blocking pain signals at the nerve endings in the eye.

This medicine is to be given only by or under the direct supervision of an eye doctor.

Your doctor will monitor your progress closely while you are using this medicine. This will help your doctor determine if the medicine is working correctly and if you should keep using it.

It is very important to keep your eye safe from injury while it is still numb. Do not touch or rub your eye. Do not use any extra eye drops in your eye until your doctor says it's okay. Protect your eye from dust, sand, or anything else that could irritate it.

In deciding to use a medicine, you and your doctor need to weigh the risks against the potential benefits. For this medicine, consider the following:

Allergies

Inform your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also, let your healthcare professional know if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

There have not been appropriate studies on how age affects the use of tetracaine eye drops in children. Safety and effectiveness have not been established.

Geriatric

There is no information available on how age affects the use of tetracaine eye drops in older adults.

Breast Feeding

Research suggests that this medication poses minimal risk to the infant when used during breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Some medicines should not be used together at all, while in other cases, two different medicines may be used together even if there might be an interaction. In these situations, your doctor may adjust the dose or take other precautions. It is particularly important that your healthcare professional knows if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions are significant but not necessarily a complete list.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended but may be necessary in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or frequency of one or both medicines.

• Bupivacaine
• Hyaluronidase
• St John's Wort

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be taken at or around mealtime or with certain foods due to possible interactions. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also lead to interactions. Talk to your healthcare professional about using your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

Having other medical issues may affect how this medicine works. Make sure to inform your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Heart disease—This may worsen side effects.

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 or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Rare

• Blurred vision
• redness of the clear part of the eye
• sensitivity to light
• severe stinging in the eye
• tearing
• throbbing eye pain

Incidence not known

• Bloody eye
• burning, stinging, itching, redness, or irritation of the eye
• change in vision

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.

In the U.S.

• Altacaine
• Tetcaine
• TetraVisc
• TetraVisc Forte

Available Dosage Forms:

• Solution

Therapeutic Class: Anesthetic, Local

Chemical Class: Amino Ester

A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine. The eye drops are placed directly in the eye.