Proparacaine hydrochloride

What is Proparacaine hydrochloride?

• Proparacaine hydrochloride (Alcaine; kainair; Ak-Taine) is a topical local anesthetic for ophthalmic use.
• It is also called as Proxymetacaine.

Proparacaine

What are the uses of this medicine?

Proparacaine hydrochloride (Alcaine; kainair; Ak-Taine) ophthalmic solution is used for procedures in which a topical ophthalmic anesthetic is indicated:

• corneal anesthesia of short duration, e.g. tonometry, gonioscopy, removal of corneal foreign bodies, and for short corneal and conjunctival procedures.

How does this medicine work?

• Proparacaine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution is a rapidly-acting topical anesthetic, with induced anesthesia lasting approximately 10-20 minutes.
• Proxymetacaine - a benzoic acid derivative anesthetic agent, with local anesthetic activity.
• Upon administration, proparacaine stabilizes the neuronal membrane by binding to and inhibiting voltage gated sodium channels.
• This inhibits the sodium ion influx required for the initiation and conduction of impulses within the neuronal cell, increases the threshold for electrical stimulation and results in a loss of sensation.

Who Should Not Use this medicine ?

This medicine cannot be used in patients with:

• known hypersensitivity to any of the ingredients of this preparation.

What drug interactions can this medicine cause?

• Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Is this medicine FDA approved?

• Yes is was FDA approved.

How should this medicine be used?

Recommended dosage: Deep anesthesia as in cataract extraction:

• Instill 1 drop to the eye every 5 to 10 minutes for 5 to 7 doses.

Removal of sutures:

• Instill 1 or 2 drops to the eye 2 or 3 minutes before removal of stitches.

Removal of foreign bodies:

• Instill 1 or 2 drops to the eye prior to operating.

Tonometry:

• Instill 1 or 2 drops to the eye immediately before measurement.

Administration:

• NOT FOR INJECTION.
• FOR TOPICAL OPHTHALMIC USE ONLY.

What are the dosage forms and brand names of this medicine?

This medicine is available in fallowing doasage form:

• As Proparacaine Hydrochloride Ophthalmic Solution USP, 0.5%

This medicine is available in fallowing brand namesː Alcaine; kainair; Ak-Taine

What side effects can this medication cause?

The most common side effects of this medicine include:

• some local irritation
• stinging
• hyperallergic corneal reaction
• epithelial keratitis
• a gray, ground-glass appearance
• sloughing of large areas of necrotic epithelium
• corneal filaments
• iritis with descemetitis
• Allergic contact dermatitis with drying and fissuring of the fingertips
• Softening and erosion of the corneal epithelium
• conjunctival congestion and hemorrhage

What special precautions should I follow?

• Prolonged use of a topical ocular anesthetic may produce permanent corneal opacification with accompanying loss of vision.
• Proparacaine should be used cautiously and sparingly in patients with known allergies, cardiac disease, or hyperthyroidism.
• Protection of the eye from irritating chemicals, foreign bodies and rubbing during the period of anesthesia is very important.
• Patients should be advised to avoid touching the eye until the anesthesia has worn off.
• Do not touch dropper tip to any surface as this may contaminate the solution.

What to do in case of emergency/overdose?

• In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline of your country. In the United States, call 1-800-222-1222.

• Overdose related information is also available online at poisonhelp.org/help.
• In the event that the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services. In the United States, call 911.

Can this medicine be used in pregnancy?

• Category C.
• It is also not known whether proparacaine hydrochloride can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman or can affect reproduction capacity.
• Proparacaine hydrochloride should be administered to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed.

Can this medicine be used in children?

• Controlled clinical studies have not been performed with Proparacaine Hydrochloride Ophthalmic Solution to establish safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients.

What are the active and inactive ingredients in this medicine?

Active ingredients:

• Proparacaine Hydrochloride

Inactive Ingredients:

• Glycerin
• Hydrochloric Acid
• Sodium Hydroxide
• Water
• Benzalkonium Chloride

Who manufactures and distributes this medicine?

Distributed by:

• Akorn Operating Company LLC
• Gurnee, IL

What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication?

• Refrigerate at 2° to 8°C (36° to 46°F).
• Keep bottle tightly closed.
• Store in carton until empty to protect from light.
• If solution shows more than a faint yellow color, it should not be used.

• Dailymed label info on Proparacaine hydrochloride
• FDA Proparacaine hydrochloride

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