Apicarpine belongs to a group of medicines called miotics, these medicines affect muscles in the
eye causing the pupil of the eye to get smaller. Apicarpine Eye Drops are used to treat certain
forms of glaucoma (an increase in the pressure within the eye) and to reverse the effect of drugs
that cause the pupil of the eye to get bigger.

Do not use Apicarpine Eye Drops if:

• You are allergic (hypersensitive) to Pilocarpine or any of the other ingredients in this medicine
which are listed in section 6 of the leaflet.

• you are suffering from inflammation of the colored part of the eye (acute iritis or anterior
uveitis).
• you are suffering from eye disorders such as narrow angle glaucoma or secondary glaucoma.
• you are wearing soft contact lenses.
Warnings and precautions:
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using Apicarpine Eye Drops if:
• you are suffering from any heart problems.
• you have asthma.
• you have Parkinson’s disease.
• you have problems in passing urine.
• you have high blood pressure.
• you have a stomach ulcer.
• you are pregnant or are breast-feeding.
If you are unsure about how to use Apicarpine talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Children
Apicarpine should be given at the lowest available dose at the start of the treatment for children
under 18 years of age.
Eye tests
Your doctor may want to check your eyes before and during your therapy particularly if you
have had any eye disorders. If you have not had your eyes checked recently, tell your doctor.
Using other medicines
Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other
medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription.
Some medicines can interfere with your treatment. Tell your doctor if you are taking any of the
following:
• antihistamines (medicines used to treat allergies).
• anticholinesterases, (such as neostigmine) which are medicines that affect the muscles and are
used to treat diseases like myasthenia gravis.
• medicines used to make the pupil larger and dry up the saliva in your mouth, such as atropine
and phenylephrine.
• medicines used to treat Parkinson’s disease, anticholinergic drugs such as orphenadrine,
procyclidine and trihexyphenidyl.

• antidepressants including tricyclic antidepressants (such as amitriptyline) and monoamine
oxidase inhibitors (MAOI’s), a type of medicine used to treat severe depression.
• phenothiazines (medicines used to treat serious mental disorders) e.g. chlorpromazine.
• medicines used to treat high blood pressure (adrenergic blockers) such as guanethidine.
If you have any doubts about whether you should use this medicine talk to your doctor or
pharmacist.
Apicarpine with food, drink and alcohol
You are advised not to drink alcohol during your treatment with Apicarpine.
Pregnancy, breast-feeding and fertility
If you are pregnant or breast feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby,
ask your doctor for advice before taking this medicine.
Driving and using machines
Apicarpine Eye Drops can cause difficulty in adapting to the dark. You should not drive or use
machinery in poor light. Apicarpine may also cause blurred vision. If this happens, you should
not drive or operate machinery until you can see clearly.
Apicarpine Eye Drops contains Benzalkonium chloride
This medicine contains benzalkonium chloride which may cause eye irritation and is known to
discolour soft contact lenses.
Soft contact lenses must not be worn during treatment with Apicarpine Eye Drops.

Always use Apicarpine Eye Drops exactly as your doctor has told you. Always complete a
course of treatment. Do not stop because you feel better. Apicarpine Eye Drops are for external
use only.
Instructions for use:
1. Before opening a new bottle of Apicarpine Eye Drops, please check that the safety strip on the
front of the bottle is unbroken.
2. Tear off the safety strip to break the seal.
3. Wash your hands well before use.
4. Remove the outer cap. If you are putting in the eye drops yourself, you should use a mirror.
5. Tilt your head back and look up at the ceiling.
6. Pull the lower lid of the eye out to form a small pocket between your eyelid and your eye.

7. Hold the container between the thumb and middle finger of the other hand, turn the bottle
upside down near to the eye, try not to touch the eye with the nozzle.
8. Apply enough pressure to the bottle to release one to two drops, as directed by your doctor.
9. Blink your eye a few times.
10. If you think that you have missed your eye, then insert another drop.
11. Repeat steps 5-10 above for your other eye if you have been told to use Apicarpine Eye
Drops in both eyes.
12. Replace the outer cap on the bottle, trying not to touch the applicator tip with anything,
including the eye or your fingers.
13. Wash your hands.
Always use this medicine exactly as described in this leaflet or as your doctor has told you.
Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure. Your doctor will decide how much you
need based on the severity of your condition and your response to treatment.
Adults (including the elderly)
The usual dose is two drops three times daily.
Use in children
Lowest available dose and concentration should be used at the start of the treatment for children
under 18 years of age. Your doctor might increase the dose up to the maximum recommended
adult dosage of the 2% Apicarpine depending on the response and tolerability.
If you use more Apicarpine than you should
If you are at all concerned that you have used or been given too much of this medicine please tell
your doctor.
If you swallow any Apicarpine
Apicarpine Eye Drops are for external use only. If you have swallowed or you suspect someone
else has swallowed any Apicarpine Eye Drops, contact your doctor or go to the accident and
emergency department of the hospital at once. Always take the container and this leaflet with
you if possible, even if empty.
If you forget to use Apicarpine Eye Drops
If you miss a dose of Apicarpine Eye Drops, use them as soon as you remember unless it
is nearly time for the next dose, then carry on using it as before. Do not take a double dose to
make up for one you have missed.

If you stop using Apicarpine
You should keep using Apicarpine for as long as your doctor has asked. Your treatment is
helping your condition, even if you have not noticed a difference in how you feel. Should you
need to stop your treatment, your doctor will advise you how to do this.
If you have any further questions on the use of the medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them.
Common side effects (may affect 1 to 10 in every 100 patients):
• itching, smarting and a burning sensation around the eye.
• a red skin rash with itching (urticaria)
• swelling, redness or soreness of the eyelid
• swelling of the front of the eye (conjunctiva)
• temporarily blurred vision
• temporary short sightedness
• difficulty in seeing in poor light
• enlargement of the veins in the eye
• headache and brow ache (especially in young patients at the beginning of treatment)
• bleeding within the front of the eye
• detachment of the retina (the inner surface of the eye)
Rare may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people:
• feeling sick (nausea)
• being sick (vomiting)
• diarrhoea
• increase in saliva
• increased flow of tears
• trembling or shaking
• wheezing and breathing difficulties
• change in blood pressure or changes in the way your heart beats
With long term use it is possible that the lens of your eye may change shape resulting in changes
to your vision. You may not know if you have some of the side effects. Your doctor will detect
them during examinations.

Reporting of side effects
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side
effects not listed in this leaflet. You can refer to the address of the NPC in Saudi Arabia to
report any side effects you get.

- keep out of the reach and sight of children.
- Store up to 30°C. Discard the bottle four weeks after opening.
- Do not use Apicarpine after the expiry date which is stated on the box.
- Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist
how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the
environment.