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Overview: Tropicamide is an eye drop used to widen or dilate the pupil before an eye exam or procedure. The most common side effects are burning or stinging, blurred vision, and sensitivity to light. Wear sunglasses after using tropicamide to protect your eyes from light. Contact your health care provider right away if you have confusion, slurred speech, or trouble breathing.

Uses

What is tropicamide used for?

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

Tropicamide may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

How does tropicamide work (mechanism of action)?

Tropicamide 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 tropicamide supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Mydriacyl
  • Tropicacyl

Dosage forms and strengths

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

How should I store tropicamide?

Tropicamide is usually given by a health care provider in a hospital or clinic. If you will store tropicamide at home, follow the instructions given by your health care provider.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of tropicamide?

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

  • Burning or stinging after the drop is put in your eye
  • Sensitivity to light 
  • Blurry vision
  • Eye irritation
  • Dry mouth
  • Headache
  • Increased pressure inside the eye (see below)
  • Brain or nervous system problems (see below)

There may be other side effects of tropicamide that are not listed here. Contact your health care 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 (800-332-1088). 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 tropicamide?

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

Severe Allergic Reactions. Tropicamide may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop using tropicamide 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. Tropicamide can affect your brain or central nervous system (CNS). Children and babies may have a higher risk of having these side effects. Call your health care 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. Tropicamide may briefly increase the pressure inside your eye. This 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 health care 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 tropicamide?

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

  • Mydriacyl
  • Tropicacyl
  • Tropicamide
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your health care provider can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific tropicamide products they stock.

What should I know about tropicamide before using it?

Tropicamide is an eye drop that is usually given to you by a health care provider in a hospital or clinic. 

If you store tropicamide at home, do not use it unless it has been prescribed to you by a health care provider. Use it as prescribed. Do not share tropicamide with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them. Keep tropicamide out of the reach of children.

Tropicamide is an eye drop. If you are using it at home, make sure that you or a caregiver understands how to properly give eye drops. 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 blood, which reduces your chance of having side effects. If you have any questions, ask your health care provider.

Eye infections may happen if your eye drop container gets contaminated with bacteria or other germs. 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. 

Tropicamide 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. 

Remove contact lenses before using tropicamide eye drops. Ask your health care provider how long you should wait before you put them back in your eyes. 

What should I tell my health care provider before using tropicamide?

Tell your health care 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 know if tropicamide is right for you.

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

Other Medicines and Supplements. Tropicamide may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before using tropicamide, tell your health care 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 tropicamide could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. They will let you know if you should use tropicamide while you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if tropicamide passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. They will let you know if you should use tropicamide while breastfeeding.

Interactions

Does tropicamide interact with foods or drinks?

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

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect tropicamide. 

Does tropicamide interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care 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 tropicamide.

  • 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 tropicamide. Always check with your health care 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 tropicamide?

If you or someone else has used too much tropicamide, 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 tropicamide?

Tropicamide is a short-term treatment that is usually put in your eyes by a health care provider shortly before an eye exam or procedure. Your health care provider will make sure you receive tropicamide as scheduled. 

If you use tropicamide at home and miss a dose, check with your health care provider to learn what to do.