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Acetylcholine

Generic name: acetylcholine ophthalmic

Brand names: Miochol-E, Miochol-E/Steri-Tags, Miochol-E System Pak, Miochol, Miochol Plus

Dosage Forms

Excipient information presented when available (limited, particularly for generics); consult specific product labeling.

Solution Reconstituted, Intraocular, as chloride:

Miochol-E: 20 mg (1 ea) [contains mannitol]

Pharmacology

Mechanism of Action

Causes contraction of the sphincter muscles of the iris, resulting in miosis and contraction of the ciliary muscle, leading to accommodation spasm

Pharmacokinetics/Pharmacodynamics

Onset of Action

Rapid

Duration of Action

~20 minutes (Kanski 1968); duration as long as 6 hours has been reported (Roszkowska 1998)

Use: Labeled Indications

Ophthalmic surgery: To obtain miosis of the iris in seconds after delivery of the lens in cataract surgery, in penetrating keratoplasty, iridectomy, and other anterior segment surgery where rapid miosis may be required

Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to acetylcholine chloride or any component of the formulation

Dosage and Administration

Dosing: Adult

Ophthalmic surgery: Intraocular: Usual dosage: 0.5 to 2 mL

Dosing: Geriatric

Refer to adult dosing.

Reconstitution

Reconstitute in an aseptic environment immediately before use.

Administration

Ophthalmic: Open under aseptic conditions only. Attach filter before irrigating eye. Instill into anterior chamber before or after securing one or more sutures; instillation should be gentle and parallel to the iris face and tangential to the pupil border; in cataract surgery, acetylcholine should be used only after delivery of the lens.

Storage

Store unopened vial at 4°C to 25°C (39°F to 77°F); prevent from freezing. Prepare solution immediately before use and discard unused portion. Acetylcholine solutions are unstable. Only use if solution is clear and colorless.

Drug Interactions

Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors: May enhance the adverse/toxic effect of Cholinergic Agonists. Monitor therapy

Beta-Blockers: May enhance the adverse/toxic effect of Cholinergic Agonists. Of particular concern are the potential for cardiac conduction abnormalities and bronchoconstriction. Monitor therapy

Sincalide: Drugs that Affect Gallbladder Function may diminish the therapeutic effect of Sincalide. Management: Consider discontinuing drugs that may affect gallbladder motility prior to the use of sincalide to stimulate gallbladder contraction. Consider therapy modification

Adverse Reactions

Frequency not defined.

Cardiovascular: Bradycardia, flushing, hypotension

Dermatologic: Diaphoresis

Ophthalmic: Cloudy vision, corneal decompensation, corneal edema

Respiratory: Dyspnea

Warnings/Precautions

Disease-related concerns:

  • Diseases affected by systemic effects: Systemic effects rarely occur but can cause problems for patients with asthma, GI spasm, acute heart failure, hyperthyroidism, Parkinson's disease, peptic ulcer disease, and or urinary tract obstruction. In a scientific statement from the American Heart Association, ophthalmic cholinergic agents have been determined to be agents that may exacerbate underlying myocardial dysfunction (magnitude: minor) (AHA [Page 2016]).

Other warnings/precautions:

  • Aseptic conditions: Open under aseptic conditions only; do not gas sterilize.
  • Cataract surgery: During cataract surgery, use only after lens is in place.

Patient Education

  • Discuss specific use of drug and side effects with patient as it relates to treatment. (HCAHPS: During this hospital stay, were you given any medicine that you had not taken before? Before giving you any new medicine, how often did hospital staff tell you what the medicine was for? How often did hospital staff describe possible side effects in a way you could understand?)
  • Have patient report immediately to prescriber sudden vision changes, severe eye irritation, or eye pain (HCAHPS).
  • Educate patient about signs of a significant reaction (eg, wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; seizures; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat). Note: This is not a comprehensive list of all side effects. Patient should consult prescriber for additional questions.

Intended Use and Disclaimer: Should not be printed and given to patients. This information is intended to serve as a concise initial reference for healthcare professionals to use when discussing medications with a patient. You must ultimately rely on your own discretion, experience and judgment in diagnosing, treating and advising patients.

Source: Wolters Kluwer Health. Last updated December 2, 2019.