Proparacaine

Mechanism-of-action class: Ion Channel Interactions.

• ALCAINE™ ophthalmic solution is indicated for procedures in which a topical ophthalmic anesthetic is indicated: corneal anesthesia of short duration, e.g. tonometry, gonioscopy, removal of corneal foreign bodies, and for short corneal and conjunctival procedures.

• ALCAINE™ ophthalmic solution should be considered contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to any of the ingredients of this preparation.contraindicated

Usual Dosage: Removal of foreign bodies and sutures, and for tonometry: 1 to 2 drops (in single instillations) in each eye before operating. Short Corneal and Conjunctival Procedures: 1 drop in each eye every 5 to 10 minutes for 5 to 7 doses. NOTE: ALCAINE™ (proparacaine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution, USP) 0.5% should be clear to straw-color. If the solution becomes darker, discard the solution.

NOT FOR INJECTION - FOR TOPICAL OPHTHALMIC USE ONLY. Prolonged use of a topical ocular anesthetic is not recommended. It may produce permanent corneal opacification with accompanying visual loss. ALCAINE™ ophthalmic solution is indicated for administration under the direct supervision of a healthcare provider. ALCAINE™ ophthalmic solution is not intended for patient self-administration.

Occasional temporary stinging, burning and conjunctival redness may occur with the use of proparacaine. Corneal edema has been reported following the use of proparacaine. A rare, severe, immediate-type, apparently hyperallergic corneal reaction characterized by acute, intense and diffuse epithelial keratitis, a gray, ground glass appearance, sloughing of large areas of necrotic epithelium, corneal filaments and, sometimes, iritis with descemetitis has been reported. Allergic contact dermatitis from proparacaine with drying and fissuring of the fingertips has also been reported.

Pregnancy: Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with ALCAINE ™ (proparacaine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution, USP) 0.5%. It is also not known whether proparacaine hydrochloride can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman or can affect reproduction capacity. Proparacaine hydrochloride should be administered to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed.

• Dec 22, 1971ANDAANDA080027Alcon Labs Inc
• Sep 29, 1995ANDAANDA040074Bausch And Lomb Inc
• Aug 9, 2024ANDAANDA215816Somerset Theraps Llc
• May 21, 2025ANDAANDA219136Mankind Pharma
• Oct 20, 2025ANDAANDA219294Micro Labs

1. 1Off Label Use8917%
2. 2Conjunctival Hyperaemia6513%
3. 3Eye Pain6112%
4. 4Drug Abuse5911%
5. 5Corneal Oedema5410%
6. 6Hypopyon5210%
7. 7Vision Blurred438.3%
8. 8Corneal Epithelium Defect428.1%
9. 9Ulcerative Keratitis367.0%
10. 10Photophobia336.4%
11. 11Visual Acuity Reduced336.4%
12. 12Keratopathy326.2%
13. 13Endophthalmitis285.4%
14. 14Lacrimation Increased275.2%
15. 15Corneal Infiltrates254.8%

The 10 most recently updated of 63 ClinicalTrials.gov registrations naming Proparacaine as an intervention. Registration is not evidence of efficacy or safety — reference crosswalk only.

• Comparison Between Outcomes of Closure of Idiopathic Macular Hole Using Autologus Tenon Capsule Graft and Internal Limiting Membrane Flap Techniques (Pilot Study)
  Recruiting · Interventional · 20 enrolled · Ain Shams University
  NCT07633457updated 2026-06-08
• Study Evaluating the Efficacy and Safety of Chloroprocaine HCl Ophthalmic Gel 3% vs Proparacaine Ophthalmic Solution 0.5% Plus Subconjunctival Lidocaine in Patients Undergoing Intravitreal Injections
  Enrolling by invitation · Phase 4 · Interventional · 236 enrolled · Harrow Inc
  NCT07456826updated 2026-04-07
• Efficacy of Nanodropper-mediated Topical Anesthetic
  Completed · Phase 4 · Interventional · 56 enrolled · Columbia University
  NCT06636708updated 2026-02-12
• Neurosensory Abnormalities in SymptomAtic Ocular Surface Patients (NASA)
  Suspended · Observational · 1,000 enrolled · Tufts Medical Center
  NCT04838223updated 2026-01-27
• Study of Stimulus Parameters in Flicker Electroretinogram (ERG)
  Completed · Interventional · 18 enrolled · LKC Technologies, Inc.
  NCT02466607updated 2025-12-17
• Subthreshold Micropulse Laser Therapy (SML) in Retinitis Pigmentosa
  Enrolling by invitation · Interventional · 60 enrolled · Marta P. Wiącek
  NCT07088705updated 2025-07-31
• An Investigation of the Impact of Localized Topical Anesthesia of the Ocular Surface on End-of-day Contact Lens Discomfort
  Completed · Interventional · 22 enrolled · Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.
  NCT03733899updated 2025-04-25
• Optic Nerve Head Structural Response to IOP Elevation in Patients With Keratoconus
  Terminated · Interventional · 3 enrolled · NYU Langone Health
  NCT03560609updated 2025-01-29
• Base Curves of Bandage Contact Lenses and Their Effects on Post Trans-PRK Vision and Pain
  Recruiting · Interventional · 36 enrolled · Dongyang People's Hospital
  NCT06393855updated 2024-07-11
• VisuMax Femtosecond Laser Small Incision Lenticule Extraction for the Correction of High Myopia
  Completed · Interventional · 114 enrolled · London Vision Clinic
  NCT02528123updated 2024-04-23

Frequently asked questions

How does Proparacaine work?

Mechanism-of-action class: Ion Channel Interactions.

What is Proparacaine used for?

According to FDA labeling, Proparacaine carries indications including: ALCAINE™ ophthalmic solution is indicated for procedures in which a topical ophthalmic anesthetic is indicated: corneal anesthesia of short duration, e.g. tonometry, gonioscopy, removal of corneal foreign bodies, and for short corneal and conjunctival procedures.. This is a reference summary of labeled uses, not medical advice or a treatment recommendation.

What class of drug is Proparacaine?

Proparacaine is classified as Local anesthetics, Local Anesthetic, Ion Channel Interactions, Decreased Sensory-Somatic Nervous System Organized Electrical Activity, Local Anesthesia.

What are the brand names for Proparacaine?

Proparacaine is marketed under brand names including Alcaine, Flucaine, Fluoracaine.

What are the contraindications for Proparacaine?

Proparacaine labeling lists contraindications including: ALCAINE™ ophthalmic solution should be considered contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to any of the ingredients of this preparation.. Always consult the full prescribing information and a clinician.