Important: This page is general information, not medical advice. It does not recommend or prescribe any treatment. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting, stopping or changing any medicine.
Quick facts
- How it is given
- ophthalmic
- Type
- human prescription drug
- Brand names
- Alcaine
- RxNorm ID
- 1191013
We do not publish dosing. How much of this medicine to take, how often, and for how long depends on your age, weight, kidney and liver function, other conditions and other medicines. That is a decision for the person who prescribes or dispenses it. Follow the directions on your own pack and ask your pharmacist if anything is unclear.
What it is used to treat
INDICATIONS AND USAGE: ALCAINE™ ophthalmic solution is indicated for procedures in which a topical ophthalmic anesthetic is indicated: corneal anesthesia of short duration, e.g. tonometry, gonioscopy, removal of corneal foreign bodies, and for short corneal and conjunctival procedures.
About this medicine
DESCRIPTION: ALCAINE™ (proparacaine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution, USP) 0.5% is a topical local anesthetic for ophthalmic use. The active ingredient is represented by the structural formula: Established Name: Proparacaine Hydrochloride Chemical Name: Benzoic acid, 3-amino-4-propoxy-,2-(diethylamino) ethyl ester, monohydrochloride. Molecular Weight: 330.85 g/mol Each mL contains of ALCAINE™ (proparacaine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution, USP) 0.5%: Active: proparacaine hydrochloride 5 mg 0.5%. Preservative: benzalkonium chloride (0.01%). Inactives: glycerin and purified water. The pH may be adjusted with hydrochloric acid and/or sodium hydroxide. chemical
Who should not take it
CONTRAINDICATIONS: ALCAINE™ ophthalmic solution should be considered contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to any of the ingredients of this preparation.
Warnings
WARNINGS: 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. ALCAINE™ ophthalmic solution is indicated for administration under the direct supervision of a healthcare provider. ALCAINE™ ophthalmic solution is not intended for patient self-administration.
Reported side effects
ADVERSE REACTIONS: Occasional temporary stinging, burning and conjunctival redness may occur with the use of proparacaine. Corneal edema has been reported following 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.
Before you take anything new
Tell your pharmacist or doctor about every medicine you take — including ones bought without a prescription, herbal products and supplements. Interactions are one of the most common avoidable causes of harm from medicines, and a pharmacist can check your full list in a couple of minutes.
This page is built from the openFDA record of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's approved labelling for this product, effective 10 June 2026. Label text has been shortened and reformatted for readability; safety wording has not been altered in meaning. FDA labelling describes products approved in the United States — brand names, strengths, formulations and approved uses may differ in your country. Always read the leaflet that comes with your own pack. PocketsInfo is not affiliated with, and is not endorsed by, the FDA. Retrieved 2026-07-30.