lidocaine hydrochloride + phenylephrine hydrochloride + tropicamide at a glance
Medicine class
Two pupil-dilating agents combined with an amide local anaesthetic.
Licensed use
Pupil dilation and intraocular anaesthesia during adult cataract surgery.
Administration
Injected into the eye's anterior chamber by an ophthalmic surgeon; it is not self-administered.
Driving
Do not drive or use machinery while visual disturbance persists after surgery.
What is lidocaine hydrochloride + phenylephrine hydrochloride + tropicamide used for?
The selected product is licensed for adults undergoing cataract surgery.
Enlarging the pupil during the operation.
Providing local anaesthesia inside the eye during the operation.
How does lidocaine hydrochloride + phenylephrine hydrochloride + tropicamide work?
Tropicamide blocks muscarinic signals that constrict the pupil and control focusing. Phenylephrine stimulates alpha-adrenergic receptors in the iris dilator muscle to widen the pupil. Lidocaine temporarily blocks nerve impulse conduction, reducing sensation within the eye.
How to take lidocaine hydrochloride + phenylephrine hydrochloride + tropicamide
This medicine is not taken at home. An ophthalmic surgeon injects it into the anterior chamber of the eye during cataract surgery using aseptic technique. It is intended only for patients whose pupils dilated satisfactorily with topical mydriatics during pre-operative assessment.
Tell the surgical team about allergies to atropine-related medicines, amide local anaesthetics or any ingredients.
Tell the team about heart, blood-pressure, thyroid, prostate, neurological, respiratory, kidney or relevant eye problems.
Follow the eye unit's instructions about eating, drinking and usual medicines before surgery.
lidocaine hydrochloride + phenylephrine hydrochloride + tropicamide side effects
Common or expected effects
- No adverse reactions were classified as common in the selected SmPC; reported reactions were uncommon.
Get urgent medical advice
- Swelling of the retina, which may cause central blurred or distorted vision.
- Damage to the capsule surrounding the lens during surgery.
- Raised pressure or inflammation in the eye, particularly with pain, redness or worsening vision.
- Seek urgent assessment for severe pain, rapidly worsening vision, increasing redness, flashes, floaters or a dark shadow across the vision.
lidocaine hydrochloride + phenylephrine hydrochloride + tropicamide in pregnancy
The selected product should not be used during pregnancy because evidence for the combination is inadequate, lidocaine crosses the placenta and a small systemic exposure cannot be excluded. Tell the ophthalmic team if you are pregnant, may be pregnant or are planning pregnancy before surgery.
lidocaine hydrochloride + phenylephrine hydrochloride + tropicamide while breastfeeding
The selected product should not be used while breastfeeding. Although systemic exposure is expected to be very low, evidence for phenylephrine and tropicamide in milk is lacking, infants may be sensitive to anticholinergic effects, and small amounts of lidocaine enter breast milk.
lidocaine hydrochloride + phenylephrine hydrochloride + tropicamide interactions
No interaction studies have been performed with this combination. Interactions affecting the body are considered unlikely because exposure outside the eye is expected to be very low, but tell the surgical team about all prescribed, non-prescription and herbal medicines.
Common questions about lidocaine hydrochloride + phenylephrine hydrochloride + tropicamide
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is it an eye drop?
No. The selected product is an intracameral injection administered inside the eye by an ophthalmic surgeon.
Can I administer it myself?
No. It is prepared and administered by the cataract-surgery team.
Is it used in children?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.