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Drugs A–Z

Tropicamide

Tropicamide is a prescription medicine (Anticholinergic). The sections below reproduce one FDA label for it, named under "Label". Products in other forms, strengths or from other makers have their own labels, which can differ.

Type
Prescription only (Rx)
Brand names
Mydriacyl
Drug class
Anticholinergic
Taken
Ophthalmic
Label
Somerset Therapeutics, LLC, revised April 10, 2026 · full label on DailyMed
Generic
FDA-approved (6 companies) · details

What it is used for

For mydriasis and cycloplegia for diagnostic procedures.

Who should not take it (contraindications)

Contraindicated in persons showing hypersensitivity to any component of this preparation.

Warnings

FOR TOPICAL OPHTHALMIC USE ONLY. NOT FOR INJECTION. This preparation may cause CNS disturbances which may be dangerous in pediatric patients. The possibility of psychotic reactions and behavioral disturbances due to hypersensitivity to anticholinergic drugs should be considered. Mydriatics may produce a transient elevation of intraocular pressure. Remove contact lenses before using.

Precautions

General The lacrimal sac should be compressed by digital pressure for two to three minutes after instillation to reduce excessive systemic absorption. Information for Patients Do not touch dropper tip to any surface, as this may contaminate the solution. Patient should be advised not to drive or engage in potentially hazardous activities while pupils are dilated. Patient may experience sensitivity to light and should protect eyes in bright illumination during dilation. Parents should be warned not to get this preparation in their child's mouth and to wash their own hands and the child's hands following administration. Drug Interactions Tropicamide may interfere with the antihypertensive action of carbachol, pilocarpine, or ophthalmic cholinesterase inhibitors. Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility There have been no long-term studies done using tropicamide in animals to evaluate carcinogenic potential. Pregnancy Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with tropicamide. It is also not known whether tropicamide can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman or can affect reproduction capacity. Tropicamide should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed. Nursing Mothers It is not known whether this drug is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, caution should be exercised when tropicamide is administered to a nursing woman. Pediatric Use Tropicamide may rarely cause CNS disturbances which may be dangerous in pediatric patients. Psychotic reactions, behavioral disturbances, and vasomotor or cardiorespiratory collapse in children have been reported with the use of anticholinergic drugs (See WARNINGS ). Keep this and all medications out of the reach of children. Geriatric Use No overall differences in safety or effectiveness have been observed between elderly and younger patients.

Side effects (adverse reactions)

Ocular: Transient stinging, blurred vision, photophobia and superficial punctuate keratitis have been reported with the use of tropicamide. Increased intraocular pressure has been reported following the use of mydriatics. Non-Ocular: Dryness of the mouth, tachycardia, headache, allergic reactions, nausea, vomiting, pallor, central nervous system disturbances and muscle rigidity have been reported with the use of tropicamide. Psychotic reactions, behavioral disturbances, and vasomotor or cardiorespiratory collapse in children have been reported with the use of anticholinergic drugs.

Drug interactions

Tropicamide may interfere with the antihypertensive action of carbachol, pilocarpine, or ophthalmic cholinesterase inhibitors.

Pregnancy

Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with tropicamide. It is also not known whether tropicamide can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman or can affect reproduction capacity. Tropicamide should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed.

Breastfeeding

It is not known whether this drug is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, caution should be exercised when tropicamide is administered to a nursing woman.

Use in children

Tropicamide may rarely cause CNS disturbances which may be dangerous in pediatric patients. Psychotic reactions, behavioral disturbances, and vasomotor or cardiorespiratory collapse in children have been reported with the use of anticholinergic drugs (See WARNINGS ). Keep this and all medications out of the reach of children.

Use in older adults

No overall differences in safety or effectiveness have been observed between elderly and younger patients.

Is there a generic Tropicamide?

Yes. The FDA has approved generic Tropicamide from 6 companies whose approvals are active. The earliest of these was approved in 1974.

An FDA approval does not always mean the generic is already in pharmacies: patent disputes and settlements can delay a launch for years. Your pharmacist can tell you whether a generic is actually available and covered by your plan.

The FDA rates these generics as therapeutically equivalent to the brand ("A" rating): same active ingredient, strength, dosage form and effect. Pharmacists can usually substitute them unless the prescriber says otherwise.

Companies with an approved generic

Alcon Labs Inc, Bausch And Lomb, Epic Pharma Llc, Rising, Sandoz, Somerset Theraps Llc

Brand-name versions

  • Mydriacyl Alcon, approved 1960 Discontinued

Source: Drugs@FDA (via openFDA), checked October 29, 2026. Marketing status is what companies report to the FDA; whether a pharmacy stocks a product, and what your insurance covers, can differ.

Dosage:
we do not reproduce dosing instructions. The right dose depends on the person and the condition and is set by the prescriber or pharmacist. Dosage section of the full label.

Tropicamide in the news

We have not covered this medicine yet. Latest news

Recalls

  • Class II Ongoing

    Tropicamide Ophthalmic Solution, USP 0.1%, 15 mL bottles, Rx only, Distributed by: Akorn Operating Company LLC, Gurnee, IL 60031. ALL NDCs

    Reason: CGMP Deviations: Firm went out of business and could no longer continue stability studies.

    Akorn, Inc.

    Lots, distribution and details
    Lots / codes
    All Lots
    Distribution
    Nationwide in the USA and Puerto Rico
    Quantity
    N/A
    Recall started
    April 26, 2023 (Voluntary: Firm initiated)
    Severity
    Could cause temporary or medically reversible health problems; serious harm is unlikely.
    FDA recall number
    D-0864-2023
  • Class II Ongoing

    Tropicamide Ophthalmic Solution, USP 0.5%, 15 mL bottles, Rx only, Distributed by: Akorn Operating Company LLC, Gurnee, IL 60031. ALL NDCs

    Reason: CGMP Deviations: Firm went out of business and could no longer continue stability studies.

    Akorn, Inc.

    Lots, distribution and details
    Lots / codes
    All Lots
    Distribution
    Nationwide in the USA and Puerto Rico
    Quantity
    N/A
    Recall started
    April 26, 2023 (Voluntary: Firm initiated)
    Severity
    Could cause temporary or medically reversible health problems; serious harm is unlikely.
    FDA recall number
    D-0853-2023

Have this medicine at home? Compare the lot number and expiry date on your package with the recall. Do not stop taking a prescribed medicine on your own — stopping suddenly can be riskier than the recalled lot. Your pharmacist can check it and usually swap it for an unaffected one.

Get alerts for Tropicamide

We will email you if the FDA reports a recall, if its shortage status changes, or when we publish news about it — at most one email a day. No account needed.









Source: FDA structured product labeling, retrieved through openFDA. Label text is shown as published by the FDA, without editing; long sections are shortened, marked […]. openFDA data are not validated for clinical use — always check the current label and ask a doctor or pharmacist about your own treatment. Set ID 378b5fe2-4b5d-4c87-a7d6-fd0caa6402af.


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Important: this content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice, a prescribing instruction, or a recommendation to act. Consult a licensed healthcare professional before taking any medication.

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