Homatropine is an anticholinergic agent that acts as an antagonist against the receptors of muscarinic acetylcholine. It is present in antitussives, under the trade name Hycodan, in combination with bitartrate hydrocodone (dihydrocodeinone).
Homatropine is prescribed by doctors to reduce uveal tract inflammation and dilate the pupil and cough.
Homatropine is indicated as an oral tablet or solution for the symptomatic relief of cough.
Uses of Homatropine
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).
Homatropine Side effects
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
Precautions to Take 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.
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.
Dosage:
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.
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.
Homatropine vs Atropine
Homatropine
Atropine
Homatropine is an anticholinergic agent that acts as an antagonist against the receptors of muscarinic acetylcholine.
Atropine belongs to a class of medicines known as antimuscarinics or anticholinergics. Atropine occurs naturally and is extracted from the alkaloid plant belladonna.
Homatropine relaxes the muscles in your eye’s iris (the coloured part). Relaxing these muscles causes the pupil to dilate or expand.
Atropine is a prescription medicine used to treat symptoms of low heart rate (bradycardia), to reduce preoperative salivation and bronchial secretions, or as an antidote to cholinergic or mushroom poisoning overdoses.
Some of the common and serious side effects of Homatropine are:
