Pharmacy Guide
Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
Pharmacy Guide
Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
Minims Proxymetacaine Hydrochloride 0.5% w/v, Eye drops solution
⚠ This medicine appears to have been discontinued
The electronic medicines compendium (emc) no longer publishes a Summary of Product Characteristics for this product, which usually means it is no longer marketed in the UK. The patient leaflet below is kept for reference, but the product may not be available.
If you were prescribed this medicine, other products containing Proxymetacaine hydrochloride may still be available. Do not stop your treatment — ask your pharmacist or GP what to use instead.
What it is and what it is used for
for Minims® Proxymetacaine Hydrochloride contains a local anaesthetic. It is used to numb the surface of the eye temporarily. Your doctor or eye specialist will use it:
- to examine your eye without it being painful,
- to measure the pressure inside your eye,
- to perform minor operations such as the removal of stitches and foreign bodies,
- for the fitting of contact lenses. This medicine should be avoided in premature babies. 2. Before you use your eye drops Do not use these drops
- if you are allergic to the active substance (proxymetacaine) or any of the other ingredients (refer to the end of this leaflet).
- if you are allergic to other similar types of local anaesthetic.
- in premature babies. Take special care You should tell your doctor if:
- you have a heart disease
- you have an over active thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism)
- your eyes are red and inflamed Minims should not be used in patients with known allergies. Your eye drops are not intended for long term use. Frequent use of local anaesthetic in the eye over long periods of time may severely affect your eyesight. Using other medicines Staining solution containing fluorescein should be used with care when Minims® Proxymetacaine Hydrochloride is applied. Your doctor or eye specialist will be aware of this and will make sure that a long enough time interval is allowed between these medicines. If you are pregnant, may be pregnant, or are breastfeeding Tell your doctor or eye specialist, he/she may decide to use these drops or to prescribe you an alternative. Contact lenses Your doctor will ask you to remove your contact lenses prior to the administration of the drops. There is no information on the effect of this product on contact lenses. Therefore do not wear contact lenses until the effects of the drops have completely worn off.
Driving and using machines As with all eye drops, your vision may be blurred after putting the drops in. Wait until your vision is clear before driving or using machines.
How to take it
your eye drops A doctor or eye specialist will use these eye drops to examine your eye. The drops are in special single use "Minims" units, to examine both eyes if necessary. Once used, they should be thrown away. Dosage The amount of anaesthetic used will vary, depending on the procedure decided by your doctor or eye specialist:
- To measure the pressure inside your eye or to remove foreign bodies: 1 or 2 drops just before the medical act.
- To remove stitches: 1 or 2 drops are applied 2 to 3 minutes before operating.
- To perform deep or prolonged anaesthesia: 1 drop applied every 5 to 10 minutes. This can be repeated up to 7 times. Method of administration The doctor or eye specialist will put the drops in your eye for you. You may be asked to press on the inner corners of your eyes for 3 minutes. This will help stop the solution draining into your nose and throat. This is especially advisable in children, the elderly and population at risk. Your eye will remain numb for about one hour, depending on how many drops you received. Avoid touching the eye until the anaesthetic has worn off. A period of at least one minute should be allowed after administration of Minims Proxymetacaine hydrochloride 0.5% w/v, before subsequent administration of other topical agents.
Possible side effects
Allergic reactions can occasionally occur that affect the cornea (a transparent membrane covering the iris and pupil of the eye) and the iris. Your doctor or eye specialist will be able to tell if an allergic reaction occurs. The following reactions have been reported very rarely and usually wear off quickly:
- widening of the pupil (center of the iris)
- transient loss of lens movement (inability to read)
- irritation of the conjunctiva (a membrane which lines the inside of the eyelid) In rare circumstances, a defect or inflammation of the cornea (whitening of the deep cornea, immunology-mediated disorder) and/orinflammation of the iris may occur. If any of the side effects gets serious, please seek immediate medical attention. If you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet please tell your doctor or pharmacist. Reporting of side effects If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via: Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.
How to store it
your eye drops
Keep out of the reach and sight of children. Do not use the eye drops after the expiry date which is stated on the overwrap of each unit and on the carton after the letters "EXP". The expiry date refers to the last day of that month. Store in a refrigerator at 2-8°C. Do not freeze. If necessary, the product may be stored at temperatures not exceeding 25°C for up to 1 month only and then thrown away. In that case, affix a label bearing the relevant expiry date to the carton label. The drops are in special single use "Minims" units, to examine both eyes if necessary. Once used, they should be thrown away. 6. Further information What do your eye drops contain
- The active ingredient is Proxymetacaine Hydrochloride. Each unit contains approximately 0.5 ml eye drops solution of proxymetacaine hydrochloride 0.5% (2.5 mg).
- The other ingredients are hydrochloric acid, sodium hydroxide and purified water. This medicine does not contain a preservative as it is a sterile single use unit. Contents of the pack Each carton contains 20 units. Marketing Authorisation Holder: Bausch & Lomb UK Ltd. 106 London Road – Kingston-upon-Thames – KT2 6TN – UK Manufacturer: Laboratoire Chauvin Zone Industrielle de Ripotier 50 Avenue Jean Monnet 07200 Aubenas France DATE OF PREPARATION: November 2023
Frequently asked questions about Minims Proxymetacaine Hydrochloride 0.5% w/v, Eye drops solution
How do I take Minims Proxymetacaine Hydrochloride 0.5% w/v, Eye drops solution?
Minims Proxymetacaine Hydrochloride 0.5% w/v, Eye drops solution comes as eye drops. Always follow the dose your doctor or pharmacist has given you, and read the leaflet that comes with the medicine.
What is the active substance in Minims Proxymetacaine Hydrochloride 0.5% w/v, Eye drops solution?
The active substance in Minims Proxymetacaine Hydrochloride 0.5% w/v, Eye drops solution is proxymetacaine hydrochloride.
Where does this information come from?
This leaflet reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for Minims Proxymetacaine Hydrochloride 0.5% w/v, Eye drops solution, as published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). The version printed inside your medicine’s packaging is the one that applies to you.
Can I get Minims Proxymetacaine Hydrochloride 0.5% w/v, Eye drops solution without a prescription?
Whether a medicine is available over the counter or on prescription only depends on its licence. Check the leaflet, or ask your pharmacist — they can tell you straight away.
About this leaflet
The text above reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for this medicine, restructured for easier reading.
- Source: electronic medicines compendium (emc), Datapharm
- Active substance: proxymetacaine hydrochloride
- Official document: view the original leaflet on emc →
⚕For healthcare professionals — Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC)Full SmPC: dosage, interactions, contraindications, warnings+
4.1. Therapeutic indications
To be used as a topical ocular anaesthetic.
4.2. Posology and method of administration
Adults (including the elderly) and children:
Deep anaesthesia: Instil 1 drop every 5 - 10 minutes for 5 - 7 applications. Removal of sutures: Instil 1 or 2 drops 2 to 3 minutes before removal of stitches.Removal of foreign bodies: Instil 1 or 2 drops prior to operating.Tonometry: Instil 1 or 2 drops immediately before measurement.Do not use if the solution is more than pale yellow in colour.Each Minims unit should be discarded after a single useA period of at least one minute should be allowed after administration of Minims Proxymetacaine hydrochloride 0.5%, before subsequent administration of other topical agents.
4.3. Contraindications
Do not use in patients with a known hypersensitivity to any component of the preparation. In view of the immaturity of the enzyme system which metabolises the ester type local anaesthetics in premature babies, this product should be avoided in these patients.
4.4. Special warnings and precautions for use
This product should be used cautiously and sparingly in patients with known allergies, cardiac disease or hyperthyroidism because of the increased risk of sensitivity reactions. This product is not intended for long term use. Regular and prolonged use of topical ocular anaesthetics e.g. in conjunction with contact lens insertion, may cause softening and erosion of the corneal epithelium, which could produce corneal opacification with accompanying loss of vision. Minims Proxymetacaine hydrochloride is not miscible with fluorescein, however, fluorescein can be added to the eye after it has been anaesthetised with Minims Proxymetacaine hydrochloride.Protection of the eye from rubbing, irritating chemicals and foreign bodies during the period of anaesthesia is very important. Patients should be advised to avoid touching the eye until the anaesthesia has worn off.Tonometers soaked in sterilising or detergent solutions should be thoroughly rinsed with sterile distilled water prior to use.Systemic absorption may be reduced by compressing the lacrimal sac at the medial canthus for a minute during and following instillation of the drops. (This blocks the passage of the drops via the naso lacrimal duct to the wide absorptive area of the nasal and pharyngeal mucosa. It is especially advisable in children). Use with caution in an inflamed eye as hyperaemia greatly increases the rates of systemic absorption through the conjunctiva.
4.5. Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
None stated.
4.6. Pregnancy and lactation
Safety for use in pregnancy and lactation has not been established, therefore, use only when considered essential by the physician.
4.7. Effects on ability to drive and use machines
May cause transient blurring of vision on instillation. Warn patients not to drive or operate hazardous machinery unless vision is clear.
4.8. Undesirable effects
Pupillary dilatation or cycloplegic effects have rarely been observed with Proxymetacaine hydrochloride preparations. Irritation of the conjunctiva or other toxic reactions have occurred only rarely. A severe, immediate-type apparently hyperallergic corneal reaction may rarely occur. This includes acute, intense and diffuse epithelial keratitis; a grey ground-glass appearance; sloughing of large areas of necrotic epithelium; corneal filaments and sometimes, iritis with descemetitis.
4.9. Overdose
Not applicable.
🇵🇱 Known in Poland as
Medicines sold in Poland with the same active substance: W Polsce znany jako
- AlcaineProxymetacaini hydrochloridum · eye / ear / nose
Same active substance. The strength, the form and whether you need a prescription can differ. Always ask a pharmacist before you switch. Polish medicines in the UK →
💬 Ask about this leaflet
Ask anything about Minims Proxymetacaine Hydrochloride 0.5% w/v, Eye drops solution. The assistant answers only from this leaflet — if the leaflet does not cover it, it will say so. It does not give medical advice.
Answers come from the patient leaflet published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). They are not medical advice. Ask a pharmacist or your GP if you are unsure. For urgent help call NHS 111, or 999 in an emergency.