TetraVisc Forte (Ophthalmic)

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

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 must 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 effective and if you should keep using it.

It is very important to protect your eye from injury while it is numb. Do not touch or rub your eye. Do not use any other eye drops in your eye until your doctor advises you to. Keep your eye safe from dust particles, sand, or anything that could cause irritation.

In deciding to use a medicine, you and your doctor need to weigh the risks of taking the medicine against the benefits it will provide. Consider the following for this medicine:

Allergies

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

Pediatric

Appropriate studies have not been conducted on how tetracaine eye drops affect children. Safety and effectiveness have not been established.

Geriatric

There is no information available about how tetracaine eye drops affect older adults.

Breast Feeding

Studies suggest 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 an interaction might occur. If you are receiving this medicine, it is especially important for your healthcare professional to know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions are based on their potential significance and may not include all possibilities.

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 adjust the dose or frequency of use for one or both medicines.

• Bupivacaine
• Hyaluronidase
• St John's Wort

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be taken with food or certain types of food because interactions may happen. 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 problems may affect how you can use this medicine. Make sure to tell your doctor if you have any other medical issues, 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.