Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) summary
The
full CMI on the next page has more details. If you are worried about using this medicine,
speak to your doctor or pharmacist.
1. Why am I using Minims® Tetracaine (Amethocaine)?
Minims® Tetracaine (Amethocaine) contains the active ingredient tetracaine (amethocaine)
hydrochloride. Minims® Tetracaine (Amethocaine) is used to numb or block the feeling
of pain in your eye(s) during short-term medical procedures.
2. What should I know before I use Minims® Tetracaine (Amethocaine)?
Do not use if you are allergic to tetracaine (amethocaine), any other local anaesthetic
or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this CMI. Do not use if you are being
treated with a group of medicines called sulphonamides. Do not use in premature babies.
Do not use this medicine continuously for a long period of time. Talk to your doctor if you have any other medical conditions, take any other medicines,
or are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding.
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
Some medicines may interfere with Minims® Tetracaine (Amethocaine) and affect how
it works.
4. How do I use Minims® Tetracaine (Amethocaine)?
Your doctor will instill Minims® Tetracaine (Amethocaine) eye drops into your eye(s)
before starting a procedure on your eye(s).
The usual dose is one drop instilled into the eye.
The number of times your doctor will put drops in your eye(s) will depend on the type
and length of the procedure to be performed.
5. What should I know while using Minims® Tetracaine (Amethocaine)?
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Things you should do
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Protect your numb eye from dust particles, which could cause infections.
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Things you should not do
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Do not touch or rub your eye while your eye is numb.
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Driving or using machines
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Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how Minims®
Tetracaine (Amethocaine) affects you.
Keep the patch that your doctor puts on your eye until normal feeling returns.
Do not drive or operate hazardous machinery until you regain clear vision.
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Looking after your medicine
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Your doctor will keep Minims® Tetracaine (Amethocaine) in a refrigerator (2-8°C).
The eye drops should not be frozen or exposed to strong light.
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6. Are there any side effects?
All medicines can have side effects. If they do occur, they are usually minor and
temporary. Do not be alarmed by this list. You may not experience any of them.
Less serious side effects include: stinging or burning sensation in the eye, blurred
vision or decreased vision, watery eyes, pain, swelling, redness, itching, eye fatigue,
sensitivity to light and the feeling of having something in the eye. Serious side
effects that require urgent medical attention include: grey appearance of the cornea
and symptoms of an allergic reaction.
Active ingredient:
Tetracaine (Amethocaine) hydrochloride
Full Consumer Medicine Information (CMI)
This leaflet provides important information about using Minims® Tetracaine (Amethocaine).
You should also speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you would like further information
or if you have any concerns or questions about using Minims® Tetracaine (Amethocaine).
Where to find information in this leaflet:
1. Why am I using Minims® Tetracaine (Amethocaine)?
Minims® Tetracaine (Amethocaine) contains the active ingredient tetracaine (amethocaine) hydrochloride. Minims® Tetracaine (Amethocaine) belongs to a class of medicines called local anaesthetics.
Minims® Tetracaine (Amethocaine) is used
to numb or block the feeling of pain in your eye(s) during short-term medical procedures.
These procedures may include: measuring the pressure in your eye, inserting contact
lenses, removing foreign bodies from your eye(s) and other minor operations on your
eye(s).
2. What should I know before I use Minims® Tetracaine (Amethocaine)?
Warnings
Do not use Minims® Tetracaine (Amethocaine) if:
You are allergic to tetracaine (amethocaine), any other local anaesthetic or any of
the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet. Always check the ingredients to
make sure you can use this medicine.
You are being treated with a group of medicines called sulphonamides.
Check with your doctor if:
You have had an allergy to any other medicines, foods, preservatives or dyes.
You have any other medical conditions.
You take any medicines for any other condition.
During treatment, you may be at risk of developing certain side effects. It is important
you understand these risks and how to monitor for them. See additional information
under Section
6. Are there any side effects?
This medicine has been developed for use in the eye only. It should not be swallowed
or injected.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Check with your doctor if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant.
Talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding or intend to breastfeed.
Elderly
Minims® Tetracaine (Amethocaine) should be used with caution in the elderly.
Infants
Minims® Tetracaine (Amethocaine) should not be used in premature babies.
Long-term Use
Do not use Minims® Tetracaine (Amethocaine) continuously for a long period of time.
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including any
medicines, vitamins or supplements that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy,
supermarket or health food shop.
Some medicines and Minims® Tetracaine may interfere with each other. These medicines
may be affected by Minims® Tetracaine (Amethocaine) or may affect how well it works.
These include:
Special dyes that your doctor may use to stain your eyes for examination.
A group of medicines called sulphonamides.
A group of medicines called anticholinesterases.
A medicine called suxamethonium.
Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure about what medicines, vitamins
or supplements you are taking and if these affect Minims® Tetracaine (Amethocaine).
4. How do I use Minims® Tetracaine (Amethocaine)?
Your doctor will not give you a prescription for your own use. This medicine has been
specifically developed for use by your doctor to numb the feeling in your eye(s) while
he/she is attending to your eye(s), and not for long-term use.
How much to use
The usual dose is one drop into your eye(s) before starting a procedure on your eye(s).
The number of times your doctor will put drops in your eye(s) will depend on the type
and length of the procedure to be performed.
How to use Minims® Tetracaine (Amethocaine)
Your doctor will put the correct number of drops of Minims® Tetracaine (Amethocaine)
into your eye(s) before starting a procedure on your eye(s).
If you are wearing contact lenses, you will be asked to remove them before putting
in the eye drops. You may put your contact lenses back into your eye after the numbness
has worn off or when you doctor tells you to.
In children, the doctor may compress the small part of the child's eye near the corner
of his/her nose for a minute during and following the instillation of the drops.
If you use too much Minims® Tetracaine (Amethocaine)
Minims® Tetracaine (Amethocaine) can damage the surface of the eye or cause vision
loss if it is used too much or too often, especially if your eye is already damaged.
The doctor giving you Minims® Tetracaine (Amethocaine) will be experienced in its
use, so it is unlikely that you will be given an overdose.
If too many drops have accidentally been put into your eye(s):
Immediately rinse your eye(s) with plenty of warm water or saline and continue rinsing
for at least 15 minutes (if you are wearing contact lenses, remove them before the
rinse).
A further examination should be performed if irritation, pain or swelling continue
beyond 15 minutes.
Accidental swallowing of the solution is unlikely to cause any bad side effects due
to the low content of tetracaine (amethocaine).
If you think that you or anyone else may have swallowed any or all of the contents
of the container of Minims® Tetracaine (Amethocaine), you should immediately:
phone the Poisons Information Centre
(in Australia, call 13 11 26), or
contact your doctor, or
go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital.
You should do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
5. What should I know while using Minims® Tetracaine (Amethocaine)?
Things you should do
Protect your numb eye from dust particles, which could cause infections.
Things you should not do
Do not touch or rub your eye while your eye is numb.
Your eye(s) may remain numb for up to one hour after the last drop is put in.
Your doctor will put a patch over your eye after finishing the procedure to protect
your eye from dust and bacterial contamination and stop you from touching it, scratching
the surface of the eye and damaging it.
Driving or using machines
Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how Minims®
Tetracaine (Amethocaine) affects you.
Keep the patch that your doctor puts on your eye until normal feeling returns. Do
not drive or operate hazardous machinery until you regain clear vision.
Looking after your medicine
Your doctor will keep Minims® Tetracaine (Amethocaine) in a refrigerator (2-8°C).
The eye drops should not be frozen or exposed to strong light.
When to discard your medicine
Your doctor will discard each single dose unit and any remaining solution in it immediately
after use. He/she will not save unused contents.
6. Are there any side effects?
All medicines can have side effects. If you do experience any side effects, most of
them are minor and temporary. However, some side effects may need medical attention.
See the information below and, if you need to, ask your doctor or pharmacist if you
have any further questions about side effects.
Less serious side effects
Serious side effects
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything else that may be making you
feel unwell.
Other side effects not listed here may occur in some people.
Reporting side effects
After you have received medical advice for any side effects you experience, you can
report side effects online (in Australia, go to
www.tga.gov.au/reporting-problems ).By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of
this medicine.
Always make sure you speak to your doctor or pharmacist before you decide to stop
taking any of your medicines.
7. Product details
What Minims® Tetracaine (Amethocaine) contains
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Active ingredient
(main ingredient)
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tetracaine (amethocaine) hydrochloride (0.5% or 1% w/v)
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Other ingredients
(inactive ingredients)
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Purified water
Hydrochloric acid
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Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to any of these ingredients.
The eye drops do not contain any preservatives.
What Minims® Tetracaine (Amethocaine) looks like
Minims® Tetracaine (Amethocaine) comes in single-dose units (tubes) containing 0.5
mL of a clear, colourless solution. Each tube is wrapped in a polyester/paper blister.
The blisters are packed in cartons of 20 units.
Minims® Tetracaine (Amethocaine) is available in two strengths: 0.5% w/v (AUST R 32252)
and 1% w/v (AUST R 32254).
Who distributes Minims® Tetracaine (Amethocaine)
In Australia, Minims® Tetracaine (Amethocaine) is supplied by:
Bausch & Lomb (Australia) Pty Ltd
Level 2, 12 Help Street
Chatswood, NSW 2067
Phone: 1800 251 150
This leaflet was prepared in January 2025.