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Tetracaine Hydrochloride

Rx Ophthalmic RxCUI 1547771
Contents

Overview

Active ingredient
Tetracaine Hydrochloride
Route
Ophthalmic
Label date
2026-01-21

Indications and usage

Tetracaine Hydrochloride Ophthalmic Solution, USP 0.5% is indicated for procedures requiring a rapid and short-acting topical ophthalmic anesthetic. Tetracaine Hydrochloride Ophthalmic Solution, USP 0.5%, is an ester local anesthetic indicated for procedures requiring a rapid and short-acting topical ophthalmic anesthetic. ( 1 )

Dosage and administration

One drop topically in the eye(s) as needed. One drop topically in the eye(s) as needed. ( 2 )

Dosage forms and strengths

Tetracaine Hydrochloride Ophthalmic Solution, USP 0.5% is a clear, colorless, ophthalmic solution containing 0.5% w/v tetracaine hydrochloride equivalent to tetracaine 0.44% w/v. Ophthalmic solution containing 0.5% tetracaine hydrochloride. ( 3 )

Contraindications

Tetracaine Hydrochloride Ophthalmic Solution, USP 0.5% should not be used in patients with a history of hypersensitivity to any component of this preparation. Tetracaine Hydrochloride Ophthalmic Solution, USP 0.5% should not be used in patients with a history of hypersensitivity to any component of this preparation. ( 4 )

Warnings and precautions

5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Do not use intracamerally since use may damage corneal endothelial cells. ( 5.1 ) Prolonged use or abuse may lead to corneal epithelial toxicity and may manifest as epithelial defects which may progress to permanent corneal damage. ( 5.2 ) Patients should not touch the eye for at least 10-20 minutes after using anesthetic as accidental injuries can occur due to insensitivity of the eye. ( 5.3 ) For Administration by Healthcare Provider : Tetracaine Hydrochloride Ophthalmic Solution, USP 0.5% is not intended for patient self-administration. ( 5.4 )

5.1 Corneal Injury with Intracameral Use Not for injection or intraocular use. Do not use intracamerally because use of Tetracaine Hydrochloride Ophthalmic Solution, USP 0.5% may lead to damage of the corneal endothelial cells.

5.2 Corneal Toxicity Prolonged use or abuse may lead to corneal epithelial toxicity and may manifest as epithelial defects which may progress to permanent corneal damage.

5.3 Corneal Injury Due to Insensitivity Patients should not touch the eye for at least 10-20 minutes after using anesthetic as accidental injuries can occur due to insensitivity of the eye.

5.4 For Administration by Healthcare Provider Tetracaine Hydrochloride Ophthalmic Solution, USP 0.5% is indicated for administration under the direct supervision of a healthcare provider. Tetracaine Hydrochloride Ophthalmic Solution, USP 0.5% is not intended for patient self-administration [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )].

Adverse reactions

The following serious ocular adverse reactions are described elsewhere in the labeling: Corneal Injury with Intracameral Use [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] Corneal Toxicity [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] Corneal Injury Due to Insensitivity [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] The following adverse reactions have been identified following use of Tetracaine Hydrochloride Ophthalmic Solution, USP 0.5%. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. Ocular Adverse Reactions Transient stinging, burning, and conjunctival redness, eye irritation, eye pain, ocular discomfort. Ocular adverse events: transient stinging, burning, conjunctival redness, eye irritation, eye pain, ocular discomfort. ( 6 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Oceanside Pharmaceuticals at 1-800-321-4576 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Overdosage

Prolonged use of a topical ocular anesthetic including Tetracaine Hydrochloride Ophthalmic Solution, USP 0.5% may produce permanent corneal opacification and ulceration with accompanying visual loss.

Use in specific populations

8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary There are no adequate and well-controlled studies with Tetracaine Hydrochloride Ophthalmic Solution, USP 0.5% in pregnant women. Animal developmental and reproductive toxicity studies with tetracaine hydrochloride have not been reported in the published literature.

8.2 Lactation Risk Summary There are no data to assess whether Tetracaine Hydrochloride Ophthalmic Solution, USP 0.5% is excreted in human milk or to assess its effects on milk production/excretion. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for Tetracaine Hydrochloride Ophthalmic Solution, USP 0.5% and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed child from Tetracaine Hydrochloride Ophthalmic Solution, USP 0.5%.

8.3 Females and Males of Reproductive Potential No human data on the effect of Tetracaine Hydrochloride Ophthalmic Solution, USP 0.5% on fertility are available.

8.4 Pediatric Use Safety of Tetracaine Hydrochloride Ophthalmic Solution, USP 0.5% in the pediatric population has been demonstrated in clinical trials. Efficacy of Tetracaine Hydrochloride Ophthalmic Solution, USP 0.5% for use in pediatric patients has been extrapolated from adequate and well controlled clinical trials in the adult population.

8.5 Geriatric Use No overall differences in safety or effectiveness of Tetracaine Hydrochloride Ophthalmic Solution, USP 0.5% have been observed between elderly and younger patients.

Pregnancy

Risk Summary There are no adequate and well-controlled studies with Tetracaine Hydrochloride Ophthalmic Solution, USP 0.5% in pregnant women. Animal developmental and reproductive toxicity studies with tetracaine hydrochloride have not been reported in the published literature.

Pediatric use

Safety of Tetracaine Hydrochloride Ophthalmic Solution, USP 0.5% in the pediatric population has been demonstrated in clinical trials. Efficacy of Tetracaine Hydrochloride Ophthalmic Solution, USP 0.5% for use in pediatric patients has been extrapolated from adequate and well controlled clinical trials in the adult population.

Geriatric use

No overall differences in safety or effectiveness of Tetracaine Hydrochloride Ophthalmic Solution, USP 0.5% have been observed between elderly and younger patients.

Description

Tetracaine Hydrochloride Ophthalmic Solution, USP 0.5% is a sterile, clear, colorless, topical local anesthetic for ophthalmic use only containing tetracaine hydrochloride as the active pharmaceutical ingredient. Tetracaine hydrochloride is chemically designated as benzoic acid, 4-(butylamino)-, 2-(dimethylamino) ethyl ester, monohydrochloride. Its chemical formula is C 15 H 24 N 2 O 2

  • HCl and it is represented by the chemical structure: Tetracaine hydrochloride is a fine, white, crystalline, odorless powder with a molecular weight of 300.82 Active ingredient: tetracaine hydrochloride 0.5% w/v (equivalent to 0.44% w/v tetracaine) Preservative: chlorobutanol 0.4% Inactive ingredients: boric acid, potassium chloride, edetate disodium dihydrate, water for injection. Sodium hydroxide and/or hydrochloric acid may be added to adjust pH (3.7 – 6.0). CHEM

Clinical pharmacology

12.1 Mechanism of Action Tetracaine blocks sodium ion channels required for the initiation and conduction of neuronal impulses thereby affecting local anesthesia.

12.3 Pharmacokinetics The systemic exposure to tetracaine following topical ocular administration of Tetracaine Hydrochloride Ophthalmic Solution, USP 0.5% has not been studied. Tetracaine hydrochloride is metabolized by plasma pseudocholinesterases and nonspecific esterases in ocular tissues.

Mechanism of action

Tetracaine blocks sodium ion channels required for the initiation and conduction of neuronal impulses thereby affecting local anesthesia.

Pharmacokinetics

The systemic exposure to tetracaine following topical ocular administration of Tetracaine Hydrochloride Ophthalmic Solution, USP 0.5% has not been studied. Tetracaine hydrochloride is metabolized by plasma pseudocholinesterases and nonspecific esterases in ocular tissues.

Carcinogenesis, mutagenesis, fertility

, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility Studies to assess the genotoxicity of tetracaine hydrochloride have not been reported in the published literature. Long-term animal studies have not been conducted to evaluate the carcinogenic potential of tetracaine hydrochloride. Animal studies to assess the effects of tetracaine hydrochloride on fertility have not been reported in the published literature.

Information for patients

17 PATIENT COUNSELING INFORMATION Eye Care Precaution Do not touch the dropper tip to any surface as this may contaminate the solution. Advise patients that, due to the effect of the anesthetic, their eyes will be insensitive for up to 20 minutes and that care should be taken to avoid accidental injuries. Distributed by: Oceanside Pharmaceuticals, a division of Bausch Health US, LLC Bridgewater, NJ 08807 USA Manufactured by: Bausch & Lomb Incorporated Tampa, FL 33637 USA © 2022 Bausch Health Companies Inc. or its affiliates 9675203 (Folded) 9675303 (Flat)