Homatropine Eye Drops: Benefits, Side Effects and Precautions

Homatropine is an anticholinergic agent that acts as an antagonist against the muscarinic acetylcholine receptors. It is present in antitussives, under the trade name Hycodan, in combination with bitartrate hydrocodone (dihydrocodeinone).

• Doctors prescribe Homatropine to reduce uveal tract inflammation, dilate the pupil, and cough.
• Homatropine is indicated as an oral tablet or solution for the symptomatic relief of cough.

Uses of Homatropine Eye Drops

Key Benefits:

• Quick and short-acting eye dilation
• Relieves eye discomfort from inflammation
• Helps control mucus secretion in respiratory tract (in cough medications)

Commonly Used For:

• Homatropine relaxes the muscles in your eye's iris (the coloured part). Relaxing these muscles causes the pupil to dilate or expand.
• Ophthalmic Homatropine (for the eyes) is used to treat a disorder called uveitis in the body.
• It is often used during an eye exam to dilate the pupil or to lower pressure inside the eye following eye surgery.
• Homatropine medicine is used to treat certain eye disorders prior to eye exams (e.g. refraction) and before and during certain eye operations (e.g., uveitis).

Conditions Homatropine Eye Drops used to Treat:

• Mydriasis (to dilate pupils for eye exams)
• Uveitis or iritis (to reduce pain and prevent synechiae)
• Part of combination therapy in some cough and cold medications (e.g., Homatropine methylbromide)

How Does Homatropine Work?

Homatropine blocks muscarinic receptors in the parasympathetic nervous system, leading to:

• Relaxation of the ciliary muscles and pupil dilation (in the eye)
• Reduction in secretions (in cough medications)
• Decrease in smooth muscle spasms

In eye care, it prevents the muscles that constrict the pupil from working, allowing full dilation.

Dosage of Homatropine

• Homatropine hydrobromide eye drops are taken on a daily basis.
• It is usually administered 2 to 3 times a day, up to every 3 to 4 hours, or as prescribed by your doctor.
• If guided, repeat these steps for your other eye or if your dose is more than once.

Missed Dose

• Take it as quickly as possible if you miss a dose of Homatropine Eye Drop. However, skip the missed dose and go back to your daily routine if it is almost time for your next dose.
• Please do not take the double dose.

Overdose

• Overdose of a drug can be accidental.
• If you have used more than the prescribed homatropine eye drops, there is a chance of them harming your body's functions.
• Overdose of a medicine can lead to some medical emergency.

What are the Homatropine Side Effects?

Common Side Effects (eye use):

Some of the common side effects of Homatropine are;

• Eye swelling, redness or crusting
• Red or puffy eyelids
• Agitation
• Stinging
• Burning after using the eye drops
• Increased sensitivity of the eyes

Common Side Effects (oral/cough use):

• Dry mouth
• Drowsiness or dizziness
• Nausea or constipation

Serious but Rare Side Effects:

• Allergic reaction (rash, swelling, breathing difficulty)
• Confusion, especially in elderly
• Increased eye pressure (glaucoma risk)

Seek medical advice if serious symptoms occur or persist.

Precautions and Warnings

Precautions to know Before Using Homatropine Hydrobromide Eye Drops

Before using this medicine, talk to your doctor if you have any:

• Allergic reaction
• Glaucoma
• Keratoconus
• Down syndrome
• Brain damage
• Spastic paralysis

Other precautions:

This medication is exclusively for external use, so take it as prescribed by your doctor in terms of dosage and length.

• Clean your hands before applying eye drops.
• If you are using contact lenses, remove them before using eye drops.
• Hold the dropper very close to the eyes.
• Please do not touch the dropper tip or let it touch your eye or any other surface to prevent contamination.

Who Should Avoid Homatropine:

• People with glaucoma (especially angle-closure type)
• Known allergy to atropine or similar drugs
• Infants and young children (unless directed)

Use With Caution If You Have:

• Heart disease
• Enlarged prostate
• Urinary retention
• Elderly patients with cognitive disorders

How To Use Homatropine Drops Efficiently

• Turn your head back, look upward, and pull down the lower eyelid to make a pouch.
• Place one drop in the pouch by keeping the dropper directly over your eye.
• Look downwards and shut your eyes softly for 1-2 minutes.
• Place one finger (near the nose) at the corner of your eye and apply gentle pressure for 2-3 minutes. It will avoid the drainage of the drug.
• Try not to blink to prevent your eyes from scratching.

Are There Any Age Restrictions for Using Homatropine?

• Eye drops: Not generally recommended in infants under 3 months
• Oral forms: Avoid in young children unless prescribed specifically

Alcohol or Food Interactions

• Avoid alcohol while taking oral homatropine (may increase drowsiness)
• No significant food interactions known

Possible Interactions with Other Medications

Can Interact With:

• Other anticholinergic drugs (e.g., diphenhydramine)
• Sedatives, sleeping pills, muscle relaxants
• MAO inhibitors and tricyclic antidepressants (oral forms)

Always inform your doctor or pharmacist about all medications and supplements.

How to Store Homatropine Drops?

• Avoid direct contact with heat, air and light. Exposure to heat may cause some harmful effects.
• Keep this medicine in a safe place and out of children's reach.
• Mainly, store the drug at room temperature between 20°C and 25°C, or 68°F and 77°F.

What Happens If Not Stored Properly?

• Loss of potency or altered effectiveness
• Contamination (especially for eye drops)
• Keep out of reach of children and pets.

Homatropine vs Atropine

References