Proparacaine Hydrochloride Solution/ Drops
FDA Label NDC 70756-193

Proparacaine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution USP is a local anesthetic for ophthalmic instillation. Each mL of sterile aqueous solution contains 5 mg proparacaine hydrochloride with glycerin as a stabilizer, sodium hydroxide or hydrochloric acid to adjust the pH, and 2 mg chlorobutanol (chloral derivative) and benzalkonium chloride as antimicrobial preservatives. At the time of manufacture, the air in the container is replaced by nitrogen.

Proparacaine hydrochloride is designated chemically as 2-(Diethylamino) ethyl 3-amino-4- propoxybenzoate monohydrochloride.

Graphic formula:

Proparacaine Hydrochloride Molecular Structure Representation (7d7eab12 F721 4092 8c18 7100544ade2b 01)

Proparacaine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution is a rapid acting local anesthetic suitable for ophthalmic use. With a single drop, the onset of anesthesia occurs in approximately 13 seconds and persists for 15 minutes or longer.

The main site of anesthetic action is the nerve cell membrane where proparacaine interferes with the large transient increase in the membrane permeability to sodium ions that is normally produced by a slight depolarization of the membrane. As the anesthetic action progressively develops in a nerve, the threshold for electrical stimulation gradually increases and the safety factor for conduction decreases; when this action is sufficiently well developed, block of conduction is produced.

The exact mechanism whereby proparacaine and other local anesthetics influence the permeability of the cell membrane is unknown; however, several studies indicate that local anesthetics may limit sodium ion permeability by closing the pores through which the ions migrate in the lipid layer of the nerve cell membrane. This limitation prevents the fundamental change necessary for the generation of the action potential.

Proparacaine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution is indicated for topical anesthesia in ophthalmic practice. Representative ophthalmic procedures in which the preparation provides good local anesthesia include measurement of intraocular pressure (tonometry), removal of foreign bodies and sutures from the cornea, conjunctival scraping in diagnosis and gonioscopic examination; it is also indicated for use as a topical anesthetic prior to surgical operations such as cataract extraction.

This preparation is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to any component of the solution.

For topical ophthalmic use only.

Prolonged use of a topical ocular anesthetic may produce permanent corneal opacification with accompanying loss of vision.

Proparacaine ophthalmic solution is indicated for administration under the direct supervision of a healthcare provider. Proparacaine ophthalmic solution is not intended for patient self-administration.

Proparacaine should be used cautiously and sparingly in patients with known allergies, cardiac disease, or hyperthyroidism. The long-term toxicity of proparacaine is unknown; prolonged use may possibly delay wound healing. Although exceedingly rare with ophthalmic application of local anesthetics, it should be borne in mind that systemic toxicity (manifested by central nervous system stimulation followed by depression) may occur. Protection of the eye from irritating chemicals, foreign bodies and rubbing during the period of anesthesia is very important. Tonometers soaked in sterilizing or detergent solutions should be thoroughly rinsed with sterile distilled water prior to use. Patients should be advised to avoid touching the eye until the anesthesia has worn off.

Long-term studies in animals have not been performed to evaluate carcinogenic potential, mutagenicity or possible impairment of fertility in males or females.

Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with 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.

It is not known whether this drug is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, caution should be exercised when proparacaine hydrochloride is administered to a nursing woman.

Safety and effectiveness of proparacaine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution in pediatric patients have been established. Use of proparacaine hydrochloride is supported by evidence from adequate and well-controlled studies in adults and children over the age of twelve, and safety information in neonates and other pediatric patients.

No overall clinical differences in safety or effectiveness have been observed between the elderly and other adult patients.

Pupillary dilation or cycloplegic effects have rarely been observed with proparacaine hydrochloride. The drug appears to be safe for use in patients sensitive to other local anesthetics, but local or systemic sensitivity occasionally occurs.

Instillation of proparacaine in the eye at recommended concentration and dosage usually produces little or no initial irritation, stinging, burning, conjunctival redness, lacrimation or increased winking. However, some local irritation and stinging may occur several hours after the instillation. Rarely, a severe, immediate-type, apparently hyperallergic corneal reaction may occur which includes 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. Allergic contact dermatitis with drying and fissuring of the fingertips has been reported.

Softening and erosion of the corneal epithelium and conjunctival congestion and hemorrhage have been reported.

To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Lifestar Pharma LLC at 1-888-995-4337 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Deep anesthesia as in cataract extraction:

Instill 1 drop every 5 to 10 minutes for 5 to 7 doses.

Removal of sutures:

Instill 1 or 2 drops 2 or 3 minutes before removal of stitches.

Removal of foreign bodies:

Instill 1 or 2 drops prior to operating.

Tonometry:

Instill 1 or 2 drops immediately before measurement

Proparacaine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution USP, 0.5% is supplied in a low density polyethylene white bottle with a natural dropper tip with a white screw cap in the following size:

NDC 70756-193-35 15 mL bottle in carton.

Storage:

   Refrigerate at 2°C to 8° C (36°F to 46°F). Keep bottle tightly closed. Store bottles in carton until empty to protect from light. If solution shows more than a faint yellow color, it should not be used.

DO NOT USE IF TAMPER-EVIDENT SEAL IS BROKEN OR MISSING.

Keep out of reach of children.

Manufactured for:

Lifestar Pharma LLC 

1200 MacArthur Blvd.

Mahwah, NJ 07430 USA

Product of Switzerland

Revised: July 2024, V-02

NDC 70756-193-35

Proparacaine Hydrochloride Ophthalmic Solution, USP

0.5%

(Sterile)

For eye use only

Not for injection

15 mL

Rx only

Label (7d7eab12 F721 4092 8c18 7100544ade2b 02)

NDC 70756-193-35

Proparacaine Hydrochloride Ophthalmic Solution, USP

0.5%

For eye use only

(Sterile)

Not for injection

15 mL

Rx only

Carton (7d7eab12 F721 4092 8c18 7100544ade2b 03)