Isopto Carpine (Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada, 4 %, 2 %): Uses, Side Effects and Dosage

What is ISOPTO CARPINE used for?

ISOPTO CARPINE is used to lower the pressure in your eye (intraocular pressure).

How does ISOPTO CARPINE work?

ISOPTO CARPINE contains pilocarpine hydrochloride, which works to lower intraocular pressure by increasing the amount of fluid draining inside the eye.

What are the ingredients in ISOPTO CARPINE?

Medicinal ingredients: Pilocarpine hydrochloride

Non-medicinal ingredients: benzalkonium chloride (preservative), boric acid, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, sodium citrate, sodium hydroxide and/or hydrochloric acid (to adjust pH), and purified water.

ISOPTO CARPINE comes in the following dosage forms:

Ophthalmic solution: 2% w/v and 4% w/v

Do not use ISOPTO CARPINE if:

• You are allergic (hypersensitive) to pilocarpine or any other of the ingredients in ISOPTO CARPINE (see Non-medicinal ingredients).
• You have inflammation of the coloured parts of the eye (uvea or iris).

To help avoid side effects and ensure proper use, talk to your healthcare professional before you take ISOPTO CARPINE. Talk about any health conditions or problems you may have, including if you:

• have ever had a detached retina or are young and near-sighted. You may be at a greater risk of a retinal detachment.
• have eye inflammation of the surface of your eye.
• have any damage to the eye.
• have problems with the drainage of liquid inside the eye.
• have heart disease, heart problems or a recent heart attack.
• have low or high blood pressure.
• have asthma.
• have difficulty in urinating (e.g. urinary obstruction).
• have stomach ulcers.
• have an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism).
• have stomach spasms.
• have parkinson’s disease.
• are elderly. You may be at a higher risk for changes in mental function (e.g. dementia, psychosis)

Other warnings you should know about:

Contact Lens Wearers

ISOPTO CARPINE contains a preservative, benzalkonium chloride, which is known to affect soft contact lenses. Remove your contact lenses before using ISOPTO CARPINE and wait at least 15 minutes before putting your lenses back in.

Driving and Using Machines

ISOPTO CARPINE may cause blurred vision and sensitivity to light and can affect your ability to drive and use machines, especially at night and in low lighting. Do not drive or use machines until your vision clears.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

If you are pregnant, may be pregnant, are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed, ask your healthcare professional for advice.

Tell your healthcare professional about all the medicines you take, including any drugs, vitamins, minerals, natural supplements or alternative medicines.

The following may interact with ISOPTO CARPINE:

Drug interaction studies have not been done for ISOPTO CARPINE.

How to take ISOPTO CARPINE:

1 2 3

• Get the ISOPTO CARPINE bottle and a mirror.
• Wash your hands.
• Twist off the bottle cap.
• After cap is removed: if security collar is loose, remove before using product.
• Hold the bottle, pointing down, between your thumb and fingers.
• Tilt your head back.
• Pull down your lower eyelid with a clean finger until there is a ‘pocket’ between the eyelid and your eye. The drop will go in here (picture 1).
• Bring the bottle tip close to the eye. Do this in front of a mirror if it helps.
• Do not touch your eye or eyelid, surrounding areas or other surfaces with the dropper. It could infect the drops.
• Gently press on the base of the bottle to release one drop of ISOPTO CARPINE at a time.
• Do not squeeze the bottle: it is designed so that a gentle press on the bottom is all that it needs (picture 2).
• After using ISOPTO CARPINE, press a finger into the corner of your eye, by the nose (picture 3). This helps to stop ISOPTO CARPINE getting into the rest of the body.
• If a drop misses your eye, try again.
• If you use drops in both eyes, repeat the steps for your other eye.
• Close the bottle cap firmly immediately after use.
• Wash your hands after use.

If you are using other eye medicines, wait at least 5-10 minutes between applying ISOPTO CARPINE and the other drops. Eye ointments should be applied last.

Usual dose:

Apply 2 drops in the affected eye(s) 3 or 4 times a day or as directed by your healthcare professional.

Overdose:

If you use more ISOPTO CARPINE than you should, rinse it all out with warm water. Do not put in any more drops until it is time for you next regular dose.

Symptoms of an overdose may include: headache, salivating, sweating, fainting, slow heart rate, low blood pressure, stomach cramps, vomiting, asthma or diarrhea.

In severe cases of an overdose, a healthcare professional may need to treat you with another drug known as an anticholinergic.

Missed Dose:

If you forget to use ISOPTO CARPINE, use a single dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, leave out the missed dose and continue with the next dose of your regular routine. Do not use a double dose to make up for a missed dose.

What are possible side effects from using ISOPTO CARPINE?

These are not all the possible side effects you may have when taking ISOPTO CARPINE. If you experience any side effects not listed here, tell your healthcare professional.

Side effects seen with ISOPTO CARPINE include:

• blurred, reduced or abnormal vision
• eye pain
• eye irritation
• eye redness
• spots in your field of vision
• eyelid swelling
• decrease in pupil size
• glare
• abnormal sensation in the eye
• increased eye pressure
• eye swelling
• headache
• dizziness
• nausea
• vomiting

Serious side effects and what to do about them

If you have a troublesome symptom or side effect that is not listed here or becomes bad enough to interfere with your daily activities, tell your healthcare professional.

Reporting Side Effects

Storage:

Store at room temperature. Avoid excessive heat. Keep tightly closed when not in use.

Keep out of reach and sight of children.

If you want more information about ISOPTO CARPINE:

• Talk to your healthcare professional.
• Find the full product monograph that is prepared for healthcare professionals and includes this Patient Medication Information by visiting the Health Canada website: (https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/drug-products/drug-product-database.html); the manufacturer’s website www.novartis.ca or by calling 1-800-363-8883.

Last Revised: May 30, 2023

ISOPTO is a registered trademark.