Alcon, the global leader in eye care and a division of Novartis, today announces the latest addition of ALCAINE^®(proparacaine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution, USP) 0.5% 15mL to its Procedural Eye Drops portfolio, which is made up of mydriatic, cycloplegic, diagnostic and anesthetic products. ALCAINE^®Solution 0.5% 15mL, the only branded proparacaine available, is a topical local anesthetic indicated for corneal anesthesia of short duration, and for short corneal and conjunctival procedures.

“We strive to offer the most complete line of high-quality ophthalmic products to better serve our customers,” said Brian O’Neal, Head of Marketing, US Surgical, Alcon. “For decades, ALCAINE^®Solution 0.5% 15mL has been a trusted solution for surgical and clinical ophthalmic procedures. We hope by offering this product directly from Alcon we will continue to meet the ongoing needs of patients and eye care professionals.”

In addition to ALCAINE^®Solution 0.5% 15mL, Alcon’s Procedural Eye Drops portfolio includes:

• Tetracaine Hydrochloride Ophthalmic Solution 0.5% STERI-UNITS^®
• ISOPTO^®Atropine (atropine sulfate ophthalmic solution) 1%
• CYCLOMYDRIL^®(cyclopentolate hydrochloride and phenylephrine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution)
• FLUORESCITE^®(fluorescein injection, USP) 10%
• MYDRIACYL^®(tropicamide ophthalmic solution, USP)
• CYCLOGYL^®(cyclopentolate hydrochloride ophthalmic solution, USP)

ALCAINE^®Solution 0.5% 15mL will be available directly through Alcon Customer Service(800-862-5266), MyAlconStore.comand from authorized wholesalers. For more information, please visit Alcon.com.

Important Information About ALCAINE^®Solution 0.5% 15mL

ALCAINE^®Solution 0.5% 15mL is a topical local anesthetic indicated for corneal anesthesia of short duration, such as during tonometry or gonioscopy, and for the removal of corneal foreign bodies; and for short corneal and conjunctival procedures.

Before surgeries or as part of other treatments, ALCAINE^®Solution 0.5% 15mL may be used as follows:

• For the removal of foreign bodies and sutures, and for tonometry: use 1 to 2 drops (in single installations) in each eye before operating.
• For short corneal and conjunctival procedures: use 1 drop in each eye every 5 to 10 minutes for 5 to 7 doses.

ALCAINE^®Solution 0.5% 15mL bottles should be stored in unit cartons to protect the contents from light. Store bottles under refrigeration at 2º C to 8º C (36º F – 46º F). 

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

CONTRAINDICATIONS
ALCAINE^®Solution should be considered contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to any of the ingredients of this preparation.

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
NOT FOR INJECTION—FOR TOPICAL OPHTHALMIC USE ONLY. Prolonged use of a topical ocular anesthetic is not recommended. It may produce permanent corneal opacification with accompanying visual loss.

ADVERSE REACTIONS
Occasional temporary stinging, burning and conjunctival redness may occur with the use of proparacaine. A rare, severe, immediate-type, apparently hyperallergic corneal reaction characterized by 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 has been reported. Allergic contact dermatitis from proparacaine with drying and fissuring of the fingertips has also been reported.

For additional information on ALCAINE^®Solution 0.5%, click herefor the Full Prescribing Information.