Patients may experience photophobia and eyes should be protected from bright light while the pupils are dilated.
Prolonged use of atropine eye drops may lead to local irritation, transient stinging, hyperaemia, oedema and conjunctivitis. An increase in intra-ocular pressure may occur, especially in patients with closed angle glaucoma.
Hypersensitivity to atropine is not uncommon and may appear as a skin rash or conjunctivitis.
Systemic toxicity may be produced by the instillation of the eye drops especially in infants and the elderly. Reported symptoms include severe ataxia, restlessness, excitement and hallucinations.
Other adverse effects may include a dry mouth with difficulty in swallowing and talking, flushing and a dry skin, transient bradycardia followed by tachycardia, palpitations and arrhythmias, reduced bronchial secretions, urinary urgency and retention and constipation.
Side effects that occur occasionally include confusion (particularly in the elderly), nausea, vomiting and giddiness.
Reporting of suspected adverse reactions
Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard.