Cyclopentolate
/api/v1/drug/cyclopentolateMechanism of action
Sourced from openFDAMechanism-of-action class: Cholinergic Muscarinic Antagonists.
Indications
Sourced from openFDA- Cyclopentolate hydrochloride is used to produce mydriasis and cycloplegia.
Contraindications
Sourced from openFDA- Should not be used if the patient is hypersensitive to any component of this preparation.contraindicated
Dosage & administration
Sourced from openFDAAdults: Instill one or two drops of 0.5%, 1% or 2% solution in the eye which may be repeated in five to ten minutes if necessary. Complete recovery usually occurs in 24 hours. Complete recovery from mydriasis in some individuals may require several days. Children: Instill one or two drops of 0.5%, 1% or 2% solution in the eye which may be repeated five to ten minutes later by a second application of 0.5% or 1% solution if necessary. Small Infants: A single instillation of one drop of 0.5% in the eye. To minimize absorption, apply pressure over the nasolacrimal sac for two to three minutes. Observe infant closely for at least 30 minutes following instillation. Individuals with heavily pigmented irides may require higher strengths.
Warnings & precautions
Sourced from openFDAFOR TOPICAL OPHTHALMIC USE ONLY . NOT FOR INJECTION. This preparation may cause Central Nervous System (CNS) disturbances. This is especially true in younger age groups, but may occur at any age, especially with the stronger solutions. Infants are especially prone to CNS and cardiopulmonary side effects from cyclopentolate. To minimize absorption, use only 1 drop of 0.5% CYCLOGYL solution per eye, followed by pressure applied over the nasolacrimal sac for two to three minutes. Observe infants closely for at least 30 minutes following instillation. Mydriatics may produce a transient elevation of intraocular pressure. Therefore, patients with untreated narrow angle glaucoma or anatomically narrow angles may be susceptible to angle closure following administration.
Adverse reactions
Sourced from openFDAOcular: Increased intraocular pressure, burning, photophobia, blurred vision, irritation, hyperemia, conjunctivitis, blepharoconjunctivitis, punctate keratitis, synechiae have been reported. Non-ocular: Use of cyclopentolate has been associated with psychotic reactions and behavioral disturbances, usually in children, especially with 2% concentration. These disturbances include ataxia, incoherent speech, restlessness, hallucinations, hyperactivity, seizures, disorientation as to time and place, and failure to recognize people. This drug produces reactions similar to those of other anticholinergic drugs, but the central nervous system manifestations as noted above are more common. Other toxic manifestations of anticholinergic drugs are skin rash, abdominal distention in infants, unusual drowsiness, tachycardia, hyperpyrexia, vasodilation, urinary retention, diminished gastrointestinal motility and decreased secretion in salivary and sweat glands, pharynx, bronchi and nasal passages. Severe manifestations of toxicity include coma, medullary paralysis and death.
Use in specific populations
Sourced from openFDAPregnancy: Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with cyclopentolate. It is also not known whether cyclopentolate can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman or can affect reproduction capacity. Cyclopentolate should be administered to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed.
Overdosage
Sourced from openFDAExcessive dosage may produce behavioral disturbances, tachycardia, hyperpyrexia, hypertension, elevated intraocular pressure, vasodilation, urinary retention, diminished gastrointestinal motility and decreased secretion in salivary and sweat glands, pharynx, bronchi and nasal passages. Patients exhibiting signs of overdosage should receive supportive care and monitoring.
Approval history
Sourced from openFDA- Jul 31, 1974ANDAANDA084109Alcon Labs Inc
- Jul 31, 1974ANDAANDA084108Alcon Labs Inc
- Jul 31, 1974ANDAANDA084110Alcon Labs Inc
- Sep 12, 1975ANDAANDA084300Alcon Labs Inc
- Apr 29, 1994ANDAANDA040075Bausch And Lomb Inc
FAERS reports
- 1Eye Pain598.3%
- 2Headache496.9%
- 3Dizziness425.9%
- 4Vision Blurred425.9%
- 5Off Label Use415.8%
- 6Apnoea365.1%
- 7Nausea365.1%
- 8Ocular Hyperaemia354.9%
- 9Toxic Anterior Segment Syndrome334.7%
- 10Visual Impairment334.7%
- 11Eye Irritation304.2%
- 12Vomiting294.1%
- 13Diarrhoea284.0%
- 14Drug Ineffective284.0%
- 15Dyspnoea284.0%
Literature
Recent PubMed references pinned to Cyclopentolate as a MeSH major topic. Citations link to pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.
- Ocular Effects of Topical 1% Cyclopentolate in New Zealand White Rabbits: A Controlled Evaluation of Intraocular Pressure, Pupil Size, and Tear Production.Veterinary ophthalmology · 2026 · Arfaee F, Shariati S, Armin A, et al.PMID 42192605DOI 10.1111/vop.70199
- Efficacy of Topical Nepafenac Versus Nepafenac With Perioperative Cyclopentolate for Pain Management After Photorefractive Keratectomy: A Comparative Clinical Evaluation.Journal of refractive surgery (Thorofare, N.J. : 1995) · 2026 · Klinghoffer B, Achiron A, Eilon E, et al.PMID 41525096DOI 10.3928/1081597X-20251202-01
- Spectroscopic quantification of cyclopentolate using an erythrosine-based resonance rayleigh scattering strategy: application to ophthalmic formulations.Scientific reports · 2025 · Abu-Hassan AAPMID 41145799DOI 10.1038/s41598-025-21762-4
- Atropine or Cyclopentolate to Diagnose Premyopia in Preschool Children.JAMA ophthalmology · 2025 · Wu H, Wang Y, Lu Q, et al.PMID 40996735DOI 10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2025.3243
- Accuracy and repeatability of autorefraction in young adults: a comparison of cycloplegic and non-cycloplegic methods.Clinical & experimental optometry · 2026 · Doyle M, O'Dwyer V, Moore M, et al.PMID 40785048DOI 10.1080/08164622.2025.2542321
- Comparative analysis of cycloplegic and non-cycloplegic refraction techniques for assessing refractive error in adults: a population-based study.Clinical & experimental optometry · 2026 · Hashemi H, Khabazkhoob M, Jamali A, et al.PMID 40739133DOI 10.1080/08164622.2025.2537220
- Establishment of Myopia Occurrence Prediction Model in Children without Myopia Using Cycloplegic Refraction and Prior Axial Length Change.Ophthalmology · 2025 · Xu S, Ruan Z, Wang Y, et al.PMID 40516576DOI 10.1016/j.ophtha.2025.06.010
- Comparative efficacy of tropicamide 1% and cyclopentolate 1% for cycloplegic refraction: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Optometry and vision science : official publication of the American Academy of Optometry · 2025 · Bist J, Paudel N, Kandel S, et al.PMID 39937702DOI 10.1097/OPX.0000000000002226
Clinical trials
The 10 most recently updated of 23 ClinicalTrials.gov registrations naming Cyclopentolate as an intervention. Registration is not evidence of efficacy or safety — reference crosswalk only.
- Efficacy and Safety of Cyclopentolate Microdrops for Cycloplegic Refraction in ChildrenCompleted · Phase 4 · Interventional · 63 enrolled · Aristotle University Of ThessalonikiNCT06885242updated 2025-11-04
- Adjusted Study Protocol: Within-Subject Paired-Eye Design Comparing Pilocarpine 0.1%, Phentolamine 0.75%, and Combination Therapy for Cyclopentolate Reversal in ChildrenNot yet recruiting · Interventional · 60 enrolled · Mansoura UniversityNCT07012512updated 2025-06-10
- Assessing Patient Comfort, Anxiety, and Satisfaction During CR Comparing Conventional Drops With ROCActive not recruiting · Interventional · 74 enrolled · Superior UniversityNCT06914063updated 2025-04-06
- Evaluation of a Protocol of Pupil Dilation Before Laser-assisted Cataract SurgeryCompleted · Observational · 60 enrolled · CHU de ReimsNCT03375996updated 2024-08-22
- Cycloplegic Refraction in Pediatric Patients With EsotropiaUnknown · Phase 4 · Interventional · 100 enrolled · Islamic Hospital, JordanNCT06077682updated 2023-10-11
- The Efficacy of Hyperemesis Gravidarum on Macular Thickness, Corneal Thickness and Intraocular Pressure in PregnancyCompleted · Interventional · 110 enrolled · Batman Training and Research HospitalNCT05927740updated 2023-07-03
- Prevalence of Refractive Errors in Primary School ChildrenUnknown · Observational · 500 enrolled · Assiut UniversityNCT05781997updated 2023-03-23
- Mydriatic Drops After Combined SurgeryCompleted · Interventional · 60 enrolled · Rabin Medical CenterNCT05614622updated 2022-11-14
- Cycloplegic Refraction Among ChildrenCompleted · Phase 4 · Interventional · 55 enrolled · Islamic Hospital, JordanNCT05442801updated 2022-07-05
- Screening for 3-D Visual Disorders in Preschool ChildrenCompleted · Interventional · 95 enrolled · Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de ParisNCT05204069updated 2022-01-24
Frequently asked questions
- How does Cyclopentolate work?
- Mechanism-of-action class: Cholinergic Muscarinic Antagonists.
- What is Cyclopentolate used for?
- According to FDA labeling, Cyclopentolate carries indications including: Cyclopentolate hydrochloride is used to produce mydriasis and cycloplegia.. This is a reference summary of labeled uses, not medical advice or a treatment recommendation.
- What class of drug is Cyclopentolate?
- Cyclopentolate is classified as Anticholinergics, Cholinergic Muscarinic Antagonists, Decreased Parasympathetic Acetylcholine Activity, Pupillary Dilation.
- What are the brand names for Cyclopentolate?
- Cyclopentolate is marketed under brand names including Cyclogyl, Cyclomydril, Cylate.
- What are the contraindications for Cyclopentolate?
- Cyclopentolate labeling lists contraindications including: Should not be used if the patient is hypersensitive to any component of this preparation.. Always consult the full prescribing information and a clinician.
cyclopentolate is illustrative MVP content compiled from public sources. pharmacopeia is for educational and informational use only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.