Tropicamide
/api/v1/drug/tropicamideMechanism of action
Sourced from openFDAMechanism-of-action classes: Cholinergic Antagonists; Cholinergic Muscarinic Antagonists.
Indications
Sourced from openFDA- For mydriasis and cycloplegia for diagnostic procedures.
Contraindications
Sourced from openFDA- Contraindicated in persons showing hypersensitivity to any component of this preparation.contraindicated
Dosage & administration
Sourced from openFDAFor refraction, instill one or two drops of 1% solution in the eye(s), repeated in five minutes. If patient is not seen within 20 to 30 minutes, an additional drop may be instilled to prolong mydriatic effect. For examination of fundus, instill one or two drops of 0.5% solution 15 or 20 minutes prior to examination. Individuals with heavily pigmented irides may require higher strength or more doses. Mydriasis will reverse spontaneously with time, typically in 4 to 8 hours. However, in some cases, complete recovery may take up to 24 hours. To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Sandoz Inc. at 1-800-525-8747 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.
Warnings & precautions
Sourced from openFDAFor 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.
Adverse reactions
Sourced from openFDAOcular: Transient stinging, blurred vision, photophobia and superficial punctate 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 cardio-respiratory collapse in children have been reported with the use of anticholinergic drugs.
Approval history
Sourced from openFDA- Dec 6, 1974ANDAANDA084305Sandoz
- Dec 6, 1974ANDAANDA084306Alcon Labs Inc
- Jul 27, 1994ANDAANDA040064Bausch And Lomb
- Jul 27, 1994ANDAANDA040067Bausch And Lomb
- Dec 12, 2019ANDAANDA207524Somerset Theraps Llc
FAERS reports
- 1Off Label Use16310%
- 2Vision Blurred1589.9%
- 3Eye Pain1137.1%
- 4Headache1006.2%
- 5Visual Acuity Reduced986.1%
- 6Drug Ineffective895.6%
- 7Visual Impairment845.2%
- 8Nausea764.7%
- 9Dizziness704.4%
- 10Toxic Anterior Segment Syndrome694.3%
- 11Cataract684.2%
- 12Endophthalmitis674.2%
- 13Vitreous Floaters664.1%
- 14Fatigue654.1%
- 15Eye Irritation623.9%
Literature
Recent PubMed references pinned to Tropicamide as a MeSH major topic. Citations link to pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.
- [Clinical observation on the mydriatic effects of different doses of compound tropicamide eye drops during fundus examination of premature infants].[Zhonghua yan ke za zhi] Chinese journal of ophthalmology · 2026 · Li GP, Xu YL, Hao QF, et al.PMID 42103666DOI 10.3760/cma.j.cn112142-20250915-00381
- A Small-Volume Topical Ophthalmic Spray for Pupillary Dilation in Children: A Randomized, Masked, Noninferiority Trial.Ophthalmology · 2026 · Godfrey A, Menon S, Takla P, et al.PMID 41338301DOI 10.1016/j.ophtha.2025.11.009
- Ultrasound Biomicroscopic Study of the Effects of 1% Tropicamide on the Anterior Segment and Ciliary Body in Cats.Veterinary ophthalmology · 2026 · Kim D, Her Y, Jung JS, et al.PMID 41047838DOI 10.1111/vop.70083
- Changes in corneal topography and corneal biomechanics in keratoconus after mydriasis.Ophthalmic & physiological optics : the journal of the British College of Ophthalmic Opticians (Optometrists) · 2025 · Yu J, Huang X, Ning R, et al.PMID 40956017DOI 10.1111/opo.70011
- Comparative mydriatic study: tropicamide vs. biosimilar in normal and diabetic patients with quality control analysis.JPMA. The Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association · 2025 · Farooqui F, Malik SZPMID 40698465DOI 10.47391/JPMA.20295
- Evaluation of Systemic Exposure to Intracameral Tropicamide 0.02%, Phenylephrine 0.31%, and Lidocaine 1% in Pediatric Cataract Surgery.Journal of ocular pharmacology and therapeutics : the official journal of the Association for Ocular Pharmacology and Therapeutics · 2025 · Herbots H, Van Os L, Aerts W, et al.PMID 40681312DOI 10.1177/10807683251359451
- Clinical science effects of different mydriatics on retinal and choroidal parameters in healthy adults observed by widefield swept-source optical coherence tomography.BMJ open ophthalmology · 2025 · Peng X, Shang J, Chen Z, et al.PMID 40628668DOI 10.1136/bmjophth-2024-001963
- Difference Between Cycloplegic and Non-Cycloplegic Refraction and Its Association with Longitudinal Refractive Changes in Chinese Children.Ophthalmic epidemiology · 2026 · Xu Y, Hu Y, Zhang J, et al.PMID 40497593DOI 10.1080/09286586.2025.2500025
Clinical trials
The 10 most recently updated of 67 ClinicalTrials.gov registrations naming Tropicamide as an intervention. Registration is not evidence of efficacy or safety — reference crosswalk only.
- Comparison of 4 Methods of Eye Drops for Pupil Dilation in Diabetic PatientsCompleted · Interventional · 84 enrolled · Burapha UniversityNCT07495670updated 2026-03-27
- The Effect Of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Treatment On Ocular Surface.Completed · Observational · 90 enrolled · Cairo UniversityNCT07419776updated 2026-02-19
- Chromosome 18 Clinical Research CenterRecruiting · Observational · 4,000 enrolled · The University of Texas Health Science Center at San AntonioNCT00227253updated 2026-01-06
- Study of Stimulus Parameters in Flicker Electroretinogram (ERG)Completed · Interventional · 18 enrolled · LKC Technologies, Inc.NCT02466607updated 2025-12-17
- Adaptive Optics (AO) Analysis of Retinal Arteries in Patients With Recent Stroke (STROKAO)Completed · Observational · 91 enrolled · Fondation Ophtalmologique Adolphe de RothschildNCT04712747updated 2025-12-10
- Clinical Determinants and Adverse Reactions to Tropicamide/Phenylephrine in Hospitalized Patients.Recruiting · Observational · 1,000 enrolled · Instituto de Oftalmología Fundación Conde de ValencianaNCT07178600updated 2025-09-17
- Subthreshold Micropulse Laser Therapy (SML) in Retinitis PigmentosaEnrolling by invitation · Interventional · 60 enrolled · Marta P. WiącekNCT07088705updated 2025-07-31
- Pharmacodynamics of a Fixed Dose Combination of 0.34% Tropicamide and 2.5% Phenylephrine Hydrochloride, Eye Drop, SolutionNot yet recruiting · Phase 1 · Phase 2 · Interventional · 20 enrolled · Unither Pharmaceuticals, FranceNCT07075224updated 2025-07-20
- Retinal Vascular Changes in Patients After Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)Completed · Observational · 34 enrolled · University Hospital OlomoucNCT05747547updated 2025-05-29
- Assessing Patient Comfort, Anxiety, and Satisfaction During CR Comparing Conventional Drops With ROCActive not recruiting · Interventional · 74 enrolled · Superior UniversityNCT06914063updated 2025-04-06
Frequently asked questions
- How does Tropicamide work?
- Mechanism-of-action classes: Cholinergic Antagonists; Cholinergic Muscarinic Antagonists.
- What is Tropicamide used for?
- According to FDA labeling, Tropicamide carries indications including: For mydriasis and cycloplegia for diagnostic procedures.. This is a reference summary of labeled uses, not medical advice or a treatment recommendation.
- What class of drug is Tropicamide?
- Tropicamide is classified as Anticholinergics, Anticholinergic, Cholinergic Antagonists, Cholinergic Muscarinic Antagonists, Decreased Parasympathetic Acetylcholine Activity, Pupillary Dilation.
- What are the brand names for Tropicamide?
- Tropicamide is marketed under brand names including Mydcombi, Mydriacyl, Paremyd.
- What are the contraindications for Tropicamide?
- Tropicamide labeling lists contraindications including: Contraindicated in persons showing hypersensitivity to any component of this preparation.. Always consult the full prescribing information and a clinician.
tropicamide 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.