Homatropine

Homatropine (Equipin, Isopto Homatropine) is an anticholinergic medication that inhibits muscarinic acetylcholine receptors and thus the parasympathetic nervous system. It is used in eye drops as a cycloplegic, to temporarily paralyze accommodation, and as a mydriatic, to dilate the pupil.

Homatropine is less potent than atropine and has a shorter duration of action. It is available as the hydrobromide or methylbromide salt. The latter, in addition to papaverine, is used as component of mild drugs that help "flush" the bile (e.g. Neo-Bilagit).

Certain preparations of drugs such as hydrocodone are mixed with a small, sub-therapeutic amount homatropine methylbromide to discourage intentional overdose.

Homatropine is also given as an atropine substitute given to reverse the muscarinic and CNS effects associated with indirect cholinomimetic (anti-AChase) administration.

Side effects

 * Blurred vision
 * Sensitivity to light

Contraindications

 * Untreated glaucoma
 * Myasthenia gravis
 * Severe heart failure
 * Thyrotoxicosis