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Overview: Cyclopentolate is an eye drop used to prepare your eyes for an eye exam or procedure. The medicine works to widen or dilate the part of your eye called the pupil. The most common side effects are burning or stinging, blurred vision, and sensitivity to light. Wear sunglasses after using cyclopentolate to protect your eyes from light. Contact your healthcare provider right away if you have confusion, slurred speech, or trouble breathing.

Uses

What is cyclopentolate used for?

Cyclopentolate is commonly used to widen the pupils (dilation) and paralyze certain eye muscles to get your eyes ready for an eye exam or procedure. 

Cyclopentolate may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

How does cyclopentolate work (mechanism of action)?

Cyclopentolate is a dilating eye drop. It works by blocking signals to certain eye muscles that control pupil size and focus. This dilates, or widens, the pupils and relaxes the eye muscles, temporarily stopping the eye from focusing on close objects. 

How is cyclopentolate supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • AK-Pentolate
  • Cyclogyl
  • Pentolair

Dosage forms and strengths

  • 0.5% ophthalmic solution (eye drops)
  • 1% ophthalmic solution (eye drops)
  • 2% ophthalmic solution (eye drops)

How should I store cyclopentolate?

Cyclopentolate should be stored at room temperature, between 46 F to 77 F (8 C to 25 C).

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of cyclopentolate?

The most common side effects of cyclopentolate are listed below. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Increased pressure inside the eye (see below)
  • Burning or stinging after the drop is put in your eye
  • Sensitivity to light (photophobia)
  • Blurry vision
  • Eye irritation, redness, or itchiness
  • Swollen eyelids
  • Brain or nervous system problems (see below)

There may be other side effects of cyclopentolate that are not listed here. Contact your healthcare provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of cyclopentolate?

While less common, the most serious side effects of cyclopentolate are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Cyclopentolate may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop using cyclopentolate and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Brain or Nervous System Problems. Cyclopentolate can affect your brain or central nervous system (CNS). Children and babies may have a higher risk of developing these side effects. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have the following symptoms of brain or CNS problems.

  • Trouble with balance
  • Slurred speech
  • Restlessness
  • Seeing or hearing things that others do not see or hear, also called hallucinations
  • Confusion
  • Seizures
  • Trouble breathing

Increased Pressure Inside the Eye. Cyclopentolate may briefly increase the pressure inside your eye, which may cause or worsen glaucoma, an eye condition that can lead to vision loss. This risk may be higher in people with less drainage spaces in their eyes (narrow angles). Keep all appointments to have your eyes checked. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of glaucoma.

  • Loss of vision
  • Eye pain or redness
  • Severe headache or vomiting
  • Seeing bright, colorful circles around lights (vision halos)

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use cyclopentolate?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use cyclopentolate.

  • Cyclopentolate
  • AK-Pentolate
  • Cyclogyl
  • Pentolair
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific cyclopentolate products they stock.

What should I know about cyclopentolate before using it?

Do not use cyclopentolate unless it has been prescribed to you by a healthcare provider. Use it as prescribed.

Do not share cyclopentolate with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep cyclopentolate out of the reach of children.

Cyclopentolate is an eye drop medicine. Make sure that you or a caregiver understands how to properly administer eye drops. If you have any questions, talk to your healthcare provider.

Press on the inner corner of your eye for a few minutes after putting a drop in your eye, then wash your hands. Do not let the medicine get into your mouth. These steps help limit how much of the medicine gets into your bloodstream, which reduces the chance of side effects.

Eye infections may occur if your eye drop container gets contaminated with bacteria or other germs. In some cases, eye infections may become severe and lead to vision loss. To help prevent infections, be careful not to let the tip of the bottle touch your eye, fingers, or any other surfaces. Wash your hands before each use. 

Cyclopentolate causes temporary blurred vision and sensitivity to light (photophobia). Do not drive or do other activities that require clear vision until your eyes go back to normal. Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from bright light after use. 

Cyclopentolate may cause feeding problems in babies. After this medicine is used in a baby’s eyes, it is recommended that you wait four hours before feeding them.

What should I tell my healthcare provider before using cyclopentolate?

Tell your healthcare provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if cyclopentolate is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Other Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following.

  • Narrow-angle glaucoma
  • Naturally narrow eye angles
  • Down’s syndrome

Premature Infant. Babies born early may be at risk of a condition called necrotizing enterocolitis. Tell your healthcare provider if your baby was born prematurely before using this medicine.

Other Medicines and Supplements. Cyclopentolate may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before using cyclopentolate, tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how cyclopentolate could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you are or plan to become pregnant.  They will advise you if you should use cyclopentolate while you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if cyclopentolate passes into breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. They will advise you if you should use cyclopentolate while breastfeeding.

Interactions

Does cyclopentolate interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between cyclopentolate and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect cyclopentolate. 

Does cyclopentolate interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following medicines before using cyclopentolate.

  • A cholinergic eye medicine, such as carbachol (Miostat) and pilocarpine (Isopto Carpine, Qlosi, Vuity, and others), which may be used to lower pressure inside the eye and treat certain eye conditions
  • A cholinesterase inhibitor eye medicine, such as echothiophate iodide (Phospholine Iodide), which is used to lower eye pressure and treat certain eye conditions

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with cyclopentolate. Always check with your healthcare provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much cyclopentolate?

If you or someone else has used too much cyclopentolate, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of cyclopentolate?

Cyclopentolate is a short-term treatment that is typically administered by a healthcare provider shortly before an eye exam or procedure. Your healthcare provider will make sure you receive cyclopentolate as scheduled. 

If you use cyclopentolate at home and miss a dose, check with your healthcare provider to determine what to do next.