Carbachol

Class: Miotics
ATC Class: S01EB02
VA Class: OP102
CAS Number: 51-83-2
Brands: Miostat, Isopto Carbachol

Introduction

Miotic; direct-acting parasympathomimetic agent.^{a b c d}

Uses for Carbachol

Open-Angle Glaucoma

Reduction of elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with primary, open-angle (chronic simple, noncongestive) glaucoma.^{c d}

Used mainly in patients refractory or hypersensitive to pilocarpine.^d

May use concomitantly with sympathomimetic agents, β-adrenergic blocking agents, or carbonic anhydrase inhibitors.^d

Ocular Surgery

Production of miosis during surgery on the anterior chamber of the eye (e.g., cataract extraction, keratoplasty, peripheral iridectomy, cyclodialysis).^{b d}

Reduction of the intensity of IOP elevation for the first 24 hours after cataract surgery.^b

Intraocular acetylcholine generally preferred.^d

Angle-Closure Glaucoma

Reduction of IOP in the emergency treatment of acute (congestive) angle-closure glaucoma† prior to surgery.^d

Pilocarpine generally preferred.^d

Ophthalmologic Examinations

Production of miosis to counteract mydriatic effects of sympathomimetic agents (e.g., hydroxyamphetamine, phenylephrine) after ophthalmoscopic examinations† in glaucoma patients.^d

Pilocarpine generally preferred.^d

Carbachol Dosage and Administration

Administration

Ophthalmic Administration

Administer ophthalmic topical solution to the conjunctival sac; do not inject.^{a c d}

Administer intraocular injection by injection into the anterior chamber.^{a d}

Topical Solution

Remove contact lenses before instilling solution.^{c d}

To minimize adverse effects, begin with a low concentration and increase gradually as needed.^d Additionally, instill daily dose or one of the daily doses at bedtime.^d

Following topical instillation, apply finger pressure on the lacrimal sac for 1–2 minutes to minimize drainage into nose and throat and reduce risk of absorption and systemic reactions.^{a d} Remove excess solution around the eye with a tissue and rinse off any medication on hands immediately.^{a d}

Intraocular Injection

Instill into anterior chamber of the eye before or after securing sutures, following the manufacturer’s directions.^b Vials are for single-dose use only; discard unused portion.^{a b}

Dosage

Adjust concentration and frequency of solution instillation according to patient requirements and response, as determined by tonometric readings before and during therapy.^{a d}

In patients with heavily pigmented irides, higher solution concentrations may be required.^d

Adults

Open-Angle Glaucoma

Ophthalmic Topical

1–2 drops of 1.5–3% topical solution up to 3 times daily.^c

Ocular Surgery

Intraocular

Inject ≤0.5 mL of a 0.01% solution.^{a b}

Prescribing Limits

Adults

Ocular Surgery

Intraocular

Maximum: 0.5 mL of a 0.01% injection.^b

Special Populations

No special population dosage recommendations at this time.

Cautions for Carbachol

Contraindications

• 
  

  Known hypersensitivity to carbachol or any ingredient in the formulation.^{a b c d}

  
  


• 
  

  Conditions in which pupillary constriction is undesirable (e.g. acute iritis, pupillary block).^{c d}

  
  

Warnings/Precautions

Warnings

Systemic Toxicity

Systemic reactions (e.g., salivation, syncope, cardiac arrhythmia, epigastric distress, headache, vomiting, asthma, hypotension, diarrhea, urinary urgency, increased sweating) reported rarely after topical application or intraocular injection; usually occur only with very frequent administration.^{b c d}

Use cautiously in patients with acute cardiac failure, bronchial asthma, active peptic ulcer, hyperthyroidism, GI spasm, urinary tract obstruction, Parkinson’s disease, recent MI, or systemic hypertension or hypotension.^{b c d}

Use topical solution cautiously in presence of corneal abrasion to avoid excessive penetration and systemic toxicity.^{c d}

If systemic symptoms occur, discontinue drug, at least temporarily.^d

Ocular Toxicities

Retinal detachment reported rarely; use with extreme caution, if at all, in patients with a history or risk of retinal detachment, especially if young or aphakic.^{c d} Carefully examine retinal periphery at least annually to detect an impending detachment.^d

Intraocular injection: Corneal clouding, persistent bullous keratopathy, retinal detachment, and postoperative iritis reported following cataract extraction in some patients.^{a b}

Sensitivity Reactions

Hypersensitivity

Allergic conjunctivitis, dermatitis, or keratitis reported occasionally with miotics; usually alleviated by changing to another miotic.^d In some instances, allergic reactions may be caused by preservatives in the preparations.^d

Discontinue the drug if sensitivity develops or if original irritation persists or increases.^d

General Precautions

Ocular Effects (Topical Solution)

Possible spasm of accommodation and poor vision in dim light, particularly in geriatric patients and patients with lens opacities.^{c d} (See Advice to Patients.)

Adverse effects often subside after first few days of therapy or if drug is temporarily discontinued.^d (See Administration under Dosage and Administration.)

Possible transient increase in IOP even when the angle is open.^d In some patients with angle-closure glaucoma receiving miotics, may increase IOP and precipitate acute attacks.^d

Possible lens opacities and cataracts; lens opacities may regress if therapy discontinued early in development; however, cataracts are often progressive.^d

Regular slit-lamp examinations recommended; discontinue therapy, at least temporarily, if iris cysts, iritis, synechiae, or lens opacities occur. ^d

Specific Populations

Pregnancy

Category C.^{b c}

Lactation

Not known whether carbachol is distributed into milk.^{b c d} Use with caution. ^{b c}

Pediatric Use

Safety and efficacy not established.^{b c d}

Geriatric Use

Reduced visual acuity in dim light is common in geriatric patients.^{c d} (See Ocular Effects [Topical Solution] under Cautions.)

Common Adverse Effects

Topical solution: Ocular irritation (burning or discomfort), lacrimation, temporal or periorbital headache, painful ciliary or accommodative spasm, blurred vision or myopia, conjunctival vascular congestion, poor vision in dim light.^{c d}

Interactions for Carbachol

Specific Drugs

Drug	Interaction	Comments
Miotics, anticholinesterase	Possible antagonismd	Concomitant use of miotics not recommended; unresponsiveness to both drugs may developd Increased risk of allergic reactions and toxicityd
Ocular hypotensive agents (e.g., carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, topical epinephrine, topical timolol)	Additive IOP lowering effectsd	Used to therapeutic advantaged

Carbachol Pharmacokinetics

Absorption

Bioavailability

Topical carbachol penetrates intact corneal epithelium very poorly; penetration greatly improved in combination with wetting agent (e.g., benzalkonium chloride 0.003%).^d

May be absorbed through intact skin.^d

Onset

Topical solution: Miosis occurs within 10–20 minutes; maximal reduction in IOP occurs within 4 hours.^a

Intraocular injection: Maximal miosis occurs within 2–5 minutes.^{a b}

Duration

Topical solution: Miosis persists for 4–8 hours; reduced IOP persists for approximately 8 hours (3% solution has a slightly longer duration of action than lower concentrations).^a

Intraocular injection: Miosis persists for about 24 hours.^a

Stability

Storage

Ophthalmic

Topical Solution

8–27°C.^c

Intraocular Injection

15–30°C; protect from freezing and excessive heat.^{a b} Stable for 18 months after the date of manufacture.^a

ActionsActions

• 
  

  Choline ester; structurally related to acetylcholine.^a

  
  


• 
  

  Directly stimulates cholinergic receptors, resulting in muscarinic and nicotinic effects.^{c d}

  
  


• 
  

  Indirectly inhibits cholinesterase activity.^c Resistant to hydrolysis by cholinesterases.^c

  
  

  May increase release of acetylcholine following nerve stimulation.^d

  
  


• 
  

  Contracts the iris sphincter and the ciliary muscle, which produces constriction of the pupil (miosis) and spasm of accommodation, respectively.^{b d}

  
  


• 
  

  Reduces IOP in normal and glaucomatous eyes.^d

  
  


• 
  

  Exact mechanism for lowering IOP is not precisely known.^{b d}

  
  


• 
  

  Facilitates aqueous humor outflow by contracting the ciliary muscle and widening the trabecular meshwork.^d

  
  


• 
  

  Decreases activity of extraocular muscles of convergence and causes vasodilation of blood vessels of the conjunctiva, iris, and ciliary body and increased permeability of the blood-aqueous barrier, which may lead to vascular congestion and ocular inflammation.^d

  
  


• 
  

  Systemically absorbed carbachol produces parasympathomimetic effects on various body systems.^d (See Systemic Toxicity under Cautions.)

  
  

Advice to Patients

• 
  

  Importance of removing contact lenses prior to administering topical solution.^{c d}

  
  


• 
  

  Importance of not touching dropper tip to any surface in order to avoid contamination.^c

  
  


• 
  

  Advise patient to immediately contact clinician if signs or symptoms of an ocular infection occur.^d

  
  


• 
  

  Importance of using caution in night driving or other hazardous tasks in poor light.^{c d}

  
  


• 
  

  Importance of instilling daily dose or one of daily doses at bedtime to minimize adverse ocular effects.^d

  
  


• 
  

  Importance of informing clinicians of existing or contemplated concomitant therapy, including prescription and OTC drugs.^d

  
  


• 
  

  Importance of women informing clinicians if they are or plan to become pregnant or plan to breast-feed.^d

  
  


• 
  

  Importance of informing patients of other important precautionary information. (See Cautions.)

  
  

Preparations

Excipients in commercially available drug preparations may have clinically important effects in some individuals; consult specific product labeling for details.

* available from one or more manufacturer, distributor, and/or repackager by generic (nonproprietary) name

Carbachol

Routes	Dosage Forms	Strengths	Brand Names	Manufacturer
Bulk	Powder
Ophthalmic	Injection, for intraocular use only	100 mcg/mL (0.01%)	Miostat Intraocular	Alcon
	Solution*	1.5%	Isopto Carbachol (with benzalkonium chloride; viscous)	Alcon
		3%*	Isopto Carbachol (with benzalkonium chloride; viscous)	Alcon

Disclaimer

This report on medications is for your information only, and is not considered individual patient advice. Because of the changing nature of drug information, please consult your physician or pharmacist about specific clinical use.

The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. and Drugs.com represent that the information provided hereunder was formulated with a reasonable standard of care, and in conformity with professional standards in the field. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. and Drugs.com make no representations or warranties, express or implied, including, but not limited to, any implied warranty of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose, with respect to such information and specifically disclaims all such warranties. Users are advised that decisions regarding drug therapy are complex medical decisions requiring the independent, informed decision of an appropriate health care professional, and the information is provided for informational purposes only. The entire monograph for a drug should be reviewed for a thorough understanding of the drug's actions, uses and side effects. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. and Drugs.com do not endorse or recommend the use of any drug. The information is not a substitute for medical care.

AHFS Drug Information. © Copyright, 1959-2011, Selected Revisions May 2008. American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc., 7272 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, Maryland 20814.

† Use is not currently included in the labeling approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.

References

a. AHFS Drug Information 2008. McEvoy GK, ed. Carbachol. Bethesda, MD: American Society of Health-System Pharmacists; 2008:2944-5.

b. Alcon Laboratories, Inc. Miostat (carbachol intraocular solution, USP) prescribing information. Fort Worth, TX; 2003 Dec. From website . Accessed 2007 Sept 20.

c. Alcon Laboratories, Inc. Isopto carbachol (carbachol ophthalmic solution) prescribing information. Fort Worth, TX; 2003 Sept.

d. AHFS Drug Information 2008. McEvoy GK, ed. Miotics general statement. Bethesda, MD: American Society of Health-System Pharmacists; 2008:2940-3.

More Carbachol resources

• Carbachol Side Effects (in more detail)
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• Carbachol Drug Interactions
• Carbachol Support Group
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