Minims Cyclopentolate Hydrochloride (Cyclopentolate Hydrochloride)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Minims Cyclopentolate Hydrochloride Used For?
Minims Cyclopentolate is an eye drop medication that helps doctors examine your eyes more thoroughly by temporarily changing how your pupils and eye muscles work.
Primary Uses
This medication is used to temporarily enlarge (dilate) the pupil of your eye and stop the movement of muscles that change the shape of your eye’s lens. It’s typically used at the beginning of an eye examination so your doctor can properly examine the inside of your eyes.
How It Works
Minims Cyclopentolate belongs to a class of medicines called antimuscarinic agents. It works by temporarily paralyzing certain muscles in your eye, allowing your doctor to see structures that would normally be difficult to examine.
Good to know: This medication is specifically developed for use in the eye only and should not be swallowed or injected.
How to Take Minims Cyclopentolate Hydrochloride
Your doctor will usually put these eye drops in for you, but if you need to do it yourself, it’s important to follow the proper technique to ensure the medication works effectively.
Dosage Instructions
The usual dose is one or two drops instilled into the affected eye(s). Your doctor will tell you exactly how many drops to use. If you’re putting the drops in yourself: wash your hands, shake the container, break the seal, hold it upside down, pull down your lower eyelid to form a pouch, tilt your head back, place the tip close to (but not touching) your eye, squeeze gently to release the drops, close your eye without blinking, and press your finger against the inside corner of your eye for about 2 minutes. Wait at least 15 minutes before putting contact lenses back in.
Single Use Only
Each container is for single use only. Throw away any remaining solution immediately after use, even if there’s medication left. Do not save it for later use.
Important: Remove contact lenses before using the drops and wait at least 15 minutes before putting them back in.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Blurred vision and problems seeing clearly
- Local eye irritation or stinging
- Feeling like something is in your eye
- Burning or painful sensation in the eye
- Red, watery, and itchy eyes
- Sensitivity to light
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Allergic reactions (shortness of breath, wheezing, swelling of face/lips/tongue, rash, itching, hives)
- Angle closure glaucoma symptoms (severe headache, severe eye pain, nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, halos around lights, eye redness)
- Whole body effects (mental/behavior changes like restlessness, hallucinations, hyperactivity, confusion; nervous system effects like poor balance, seizures, drowsiness, speech difficulty, dizziness, involuntary shaking; dry mouth; skin effects like dry skin, rash, flushing; temperature changes or fever; gut problems; difficulty urinating; heart rate changes; sudden loss of breathing or heart function)
Important Warnings
There are several important conditions and situations where this medication should not be used, as it could be dangerous for your health.
Who Should Not Take Minims Cyclopentolate Hydrochloride
Do not use if you: are allergic to cyclopentolate or any ingredients; have or suspect narrow angle glaucoma; have a shallow anterior chamber; are over 65 years old; are at risk of high eye pressure; have Down’s syndrome; have heart or blood vessel conditions. For children: do not use in premature babies, infants under 3 months, or children with brain damage or brain syndromes.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have: glaucoma, epilepsy, prostate disorders, poor balance or coordination (ataxia), dementia, dry nose (rhinitis sicca), gut disorders with blockages or inflammation, myasthenia gravis, urinary tract blockages, high blood flow in eyes, or if you’re easily affected by belladonna alkaloids.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Check with your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding before using this medication.
Children: This medication should be used with caution in children and is not recommended for premature babies or infants under 3 months old.
Drug Interactions
Several types of medications can interfere with how Minims Cyclopentolate works or increase the risk of side effects.
Tell your doctor: Always inform your doctor about all medications, vitamins, and supplements you’re taking, including those bought without a prescription.
- Medicines to treat glaucoma
- Antihistamines
- Some medicines used to treat depression
- Some medicines used to treat mental illness
- Some medicines used to treat Parkinson’s disease
- Some medicines used to treat irregular heartbeats
- Some medicines used to treat nausea and vomiting
Alcohol & Driving
This medication can affect your vision and ability to perform tasks that require clear sight, so special precautions are needed.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be very careful before driving or using machines until you know how this medication affects you. It may cause blurred vision for a short time after being put in your eye. Make sure you have clear vision before driving or operating any machinery.
Light Sensitivity
Your eyes may become very sensitive to light while using this medicine. Protect your eyes by wearing sunglasses when outdoors or in bright light.
Storage
Keep unopened eye drops in the refrigerator at 2-8°C where children cannot reach them. Do not freeze the eye drops or expose them to strong light. Each single-dose container should be thrown away immediately after use, even if there’s medication left.
Overdose Information
If you think you or anyone else has used too much of this medication or accidentally swallowed it, get help immediately. This is especially important for infants and young children. Call the Poisons Information Centre (in Australia: 13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital emergency department right away, even if there are no obvious symptoms.
Frequently Asked Questions
The medication works quickly to dilate your pupils and is typically used at the beginning of an eye examination. Your doctor will be able to examine your eyes shortly after the drops are instilled.
The medication causes temporary effects on your pupils and eye muscles. You may experience blurred vision and light sensitivity for a period after use, so avoid driving until your vision returns to normal.
No, you must remove contact lenses before using the drops and wait at least 15 minutes after application before putting them back in.
If you have irritation, pain, swelling, excessive tearing, or light sensitivity, immediately flush your eyes with room temperature water for at least 15 minutes, stop using the drops, and contact your doctor.
This medication should be used with caution in children and is not recommended for premature babies, infants under 3 months old, or children with brain damage or brain syndromes.
Pressing your finger against the inside corner of your eye for about 2 minutes helps prevent the medicine from draining into your nose and throat, where it could be absorbed into other parts of your body. This is especially important when giving the drops to children.
No, each single-dose container should be thrown away immediately after use, even if there’s medication remaining. Do not save unused contents for later.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.