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 Tetracaine Hydrochloride 1.0% 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 Tetracaine 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® Tetracaine Hydrochloride contains a local anaesthetic. It is used to numb the eye temporarily. Your doctor or eye specialist may use it to examine or treat your eye without it being painful. This medicine should be avoided in premature babies. 2. Before you use your eye drops Do not use these drops if if you are allergic to the active substance (tetracaine) or any of the other ingredients (refer to the end of this leaflet). if you are allergic to other similar types of local anaesthetic. if you are taking medicines used to treat bacterial infection or diabetes called "sulphonamides". in premature babies. Take special care 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. Do you use any of these medicines? medicines called "sulphonamides" used to treat bacterial infection or diabetes. If the answer to any of these questions is yes, tell your doctor or eye specialist. 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 your 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 for single use only and provided in single use Minims units, to examine both eyes if necessary. Once opened, use immediately. Discard any unused portion. Dosage The usual dose is 1 drop of solution in one or both eyes. If necessary, your doctor or eye specialist will tell you to use more than one drop. Method of administration
The doctor or eye specialist will put the drops in your eye for you. He/she may ask you to press gently on the inner corner of your eyelid 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. He/she will then throw away the Minims unit, even if some solution remains. Your eye will remain numb, depending on how many drops you received. Avoid touching the eye until the anaesthetic has worn off. Your doctor or eye specialist will make sure that your eye is properly protected. If you use more Minims® Tetracaine Hydrochloride than you should, an overdose is very unlikely to occur. If you suddenly feel unwell after receiving the drops, tell your doctor or eye specialist or contact your nearest emergency department immediately.
Possible side effects
Minims® Tetracaine may sting or burn when the drops are first put in and your vision may become blurred. This will gradually wear off. Occasionally, the skin around the eyes can become sore, superficial defect or swelling of cornea (the transparent membrane covering the surface of the eye) may also be observed after short-term application of these eye-drops. If you find that you have itching, discomfort, soreness around your eyes or blurred vision that is causing you a problem, you should tell your doctor or pharmacist. The cornea (the transparent membrane covering the surface of the eye) may be damaged by prolonged administration of anaesthetic eye drops. 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: The 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. Do not store above 25°C. Do not freeze. Store in the original package in order to protect from light. The drops are for single use only and provided in single use Minims units, to examine both eyes if necessary. Once opened, use immediately. Discard any unused portion. Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. These measures will help to protect the environment. 6. Further information What do your eye drops contain The active ingredient is tetracaine hydrochloride. Each unit contains approximately 0.5 ml eye drops solution of tetracaine hydrochloride 0.5% w/v (2.5 mg) or 1% w/v (5 mg). The other ingredients are hydrochloric acid (for pH adjustment) 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 Tetracaine Hydrochloride 1.0% w/v, Eye drops solution
How do I take Minims Tetracaine Hydrochloride 1.0% w/v, Eye drops solution?
Minims Tetracaine Hydrochloride 1.0% 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 Tetracaine Hydrochloride 1.0% w/v, Eye drops solution?
The active substance in Minims Tetracaine Hydrochloride 1.0% w/v, Eye drops solution is tetracaine hydrochloride.
Are there equivalent medicines to Minims Tetracaine Hydrochloride 1.0% w/v, Eye drops solution?
Medicines with the same active substance, strength and form include: Minims Tetracaine Hydrochloride 0.5% w/v, Eye drops solution. They are interchangeable only if your prescriber or pharmacist says so.
Where does this information come from?
This leaflet reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for Minims Tetracaine Hydrochloride 1.0% 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 Tetracaine Hydrochloride 1.0% 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: tetracaine 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
Ocular anaesthetic for topical instillation into the conjunctival sac.
4.2. Posology and method of administration
Adults and children One drop or as required. Each Minims unit should be discarded after use.
4.3. Contraindications
Not to be used in patients with a known hypersensitivity to the product. Tetracaine is hydrolysed in the body to p-amino-benzoic acid and should not therefore be used in patients being treated with sulphonamides. In view of the immaturity of the enzyme system which metabolises the ester type local anaesthetics in premature babies, tetracaine should be avoided in these patients.
4.4. Special warnings and precautions for use
The anaesthetised eye should be protected from dust and bacterial contamination. The cornea may be damaged by prolonged application of anaesthetic eye drops. Systemic absorption may be reduced by compressing the lacrimal sac at the medial canthus for a minute during and following the 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.)
4.5. Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
Tetracaine should not be used in patients being treated with sulphonamides (see 4.3 above)
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
Tetracaine may give rise to dermatitis in hypersensitive patients. On instillation an initial burning sensation may be experienced. This may last for up to 30 seconds. Corneal disorders such as superficial punctuate keratitis or edema may be observed following short-term application of Tetracaine (amethocaine) eye drops for topical anaesthesia. The cornea may be damaged by prolonged application of anaesthetic eye drops.
4.9. Overdose
Not expected.
💬 Ask about this leaflet
Ask anything about Minims Tetracaine Hydrochloride 1.0% 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.