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Tetracaine Hydrochloride

Prescription NDA TE AB1 RLD Official labelling
Informational index, not medical advice. Content is reproduced from public FDA and NLM data. Always confirm against the manufacturer's current prescribing information. Report adverse events to FDA MedWatch.

Overview

Brand name
Tetracaine Hydrochloride
Generic name
Tetracaine Hydrochloride
Dosage form
Solution/ Drops
Route
Ophthalmic
Marketing category
NDA · NDA
Labeler
Bausch & Lomb Americas Inc.
Product type
Human Prescription Drug
DEA schedule
Not scheduled
Active ingredients
1
NDC product codes
4
Packages
7
Data completeness
76% of corroborating sources present

Active ingredients

Source: NDC Directory
Active ingredients and strengths as listed in the NDC Directory.
Ingredient Strength RxCUI Monograph
Tetracaine Hydrochloride 5 mg/mL 1547771 View

Forms, strengths and routes

Source: NDC Directory
Dosage form
Solution/ Drops
Route of administration
Ophthalmic
Presentations
11

Pharmacologic classes are listed in the class section below.

Pharmacologic class

Source: NDC Directory
Established pharmacologic classes (EPC), mechanisms of action (MoA), chemical structures (CS) and physiologic effects (PE).
Class Type Browse
Ester Local Anesthetic [EPC] EPC 5 members — no class page
Esters [CS] CS 5 members — no class page
Local Anesthesia [PE] PE All 53 members

Regulatory status

Source: Drugs@FDANDC Directory
Application number
210821
Application type
NDA · New Drug Application
Approval date
March 12, 2019
Sponsor
BAUSCH LOMB IRELAND
Products on application
1
Submissions recorded
2
Products approved under application 210821.
Product Trade name Form Strength Ingredient Status TE Flags
210821-001 TETRACAINE HYDROCHLORIDE SOLUTION TETRACAINE HYDROCHLORIDE Prescription AB1 RLD RS

Therapeutic equivalence

Source: Orange Book
TE code
AB1
Reference Listed Drug
Yes
Reference Standard
Yes

What this rating means: Therapeutically equivalent — bioequivalence demonstrated by in vivo or in vitro testing

Codes beginning with “A” indicate products the FDA considers therapeutically equivalent. Codes beginning with “B” indicate bioequivalence has not been established. See methodology.

Approval history

Source: Drugs@FDA
Most recent submissions on application 210821.
Type No. Action Status Date Review
Supplement 5 Labeling Approved February 22, 2022 Standard
Original application 1 Type 5 - New Formulation or New Manufacturer Approved March 12, 2019 Standard

Review documents

  • 0 · Supplement · February 25, 2022
  • 0 · Supplement · February 23, 2022
  • 0 · Original application · April 18, 2019
  • 0 · Original application · March 14, 2019
  • 0 · Original application · March 13, 2019

Prescribing information

Source: openFDA Drug Labeling

Reproduced verbatim from the Structured Product Labeling submitted to the FDA (effective 20260207). This is the manufacturer's labelling text, not a summary and not advice.

HUMAN PRESCRIPTION DRUG · 20260207 HUMAN PRESCRIPTION DRUG · 20260121 HUMAN PRESCRIPTION DRUG · 20251205 HUMAN PRESCRIPTION DRUG · 20240821

Recent Major Changes

openFDA Drug Labeling

Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 ) 02/2022

Indications and Usage

openFDA Drug Labeling

1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Tetracaine Hydrochloride Ophthalmic Solution, USP 0.5% is indicated for procedures requiring a rapid and short-acting topical ophthalmic anesthetic. Tetracaine Hydrochloride Ophthalmic Solution, USP 0.5%, is an ester local anesthetic indicated for procedures requiring a rapid and short-acting topical ophthalmic anesthetic. ( 1 )

Dosage and Administration

openFDA Drug Labeling

2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION One drop topically in the eye(s) as needed. One drop topically in the eye(s) as needed. ( 2 )

Dosage Forms and Strengths

openFDA Drug Labeling

3 DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTHS Tetracaine Hydrochloride Ophthalmic Solution, USP 0.5% is a clear, colorless, ophthalmic solution containing 0.5% w/v tetracaine hydrochloride equivalent to tetracaine 0.44% w/v. Sterile, preserved, ophthalmic solution containing 0.5% tetracaine hydrochloride. ( 3 )

Contraindications

openFDA Drug Labeling

4 CONTRAINDICATIONS Tetracaine Hydrochloride Ophthalmic Solution, USP 0.5% should not be used in patients with a history of hypersensitivity to any component of this preparation. Tetracaine Hydrochloride Ophthalmic Solution, USP 0.5%, should not be used in patients with a history of hypersensitivity to any component of this preparation. ( 4 )

Warnings and Cautions

openFDA Drug Labeling

5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Do not use intracamerally since use may damage corneal endothelial cells. ( 5.1 ) Prolonged use or abuse may lead to corneal epithelial toxicity and may manifest as epithelial defects which may progress to permanent corneal damage. ( 5.2 ) Patients should not touch the eye for at least 10-20 minutes after using anesthetic as accidental injuries can occur due to insensitivity of the eye. ( 5.3 ) For Administration by Healthcare Provider : Tetracaine Hydrochloride Ophthalmic Solution, USP 0.5% is not intended for patient self-administration. ( 5.4 ) 5.1 Corneal Injury with Intracameral Use Not for injection or intraocular use. Do not use intracamerally because use of Tetracaine Hydrochloride Ophthalmic Solution, USP 0.5% may lead to damage of the corneal endothelial cells. 5.2 Corneal Toxicity Prolonged use or abuse may lead to corneal epithelial toxicity and may manifest as epithelial defects which may progress to permanent corneal damage. 5.3 Corneal Injury Due to Insensitivity Patients should not touch the eye for at least 10-20 minutes after using anesthetic as accidental injuries can occur due to insensitivity of the eye. 5.4 For Administration by Healthcare Provider Tetracaine Hydrochloride Ophthalmic Solution, USP 0.5% is indicated for administration under the direct supervision of a healthcare provider. Tetracaine Hydrochloride Ophthalmic Solution, USP 0.5% is not intended for patient self-administration [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )].

Adverse Reactions

openFDA Drug Labeling

6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following serious ocular adverse reactions are described elsewhere in the labeling: Corneal Injury with Intracameral Use [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] Corneal Toxicity [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] Corneal Injury Due to Insensitivity [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] The following adverse reactions have been identified following use of Tetracaine Hydrochloride Ophthalmic Solution, USP 0.5%. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. Ocular Adverse Reactions Transient stinging, burning, and conjunctival redness, eye irritation, eye pain, ocular discomfort. Ocular adverse events: transient stinging, burning, conjunctival redness, eye irritation, eye pain, ocular discomfort. ( 6 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Oceanside Pharmaceuticals at 1-800-321-4576 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Use in Specific Populations

openFDA Drug Labeling

8 USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS 8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary There are no adequate and well-controlled studies with Tetracaine Hydrochloride Ophthalmic Solution, USP 0.5% in pregnant women. Animal developmental and reproductive toxicity studies with tetracaine hydrochloride have not been reported in the published literature. 8.2 Lactation Risk Summary There are no data to assess whether Tetracaine Hydrochloride Ophthalmic Solution, USP 0.5% is excreted in human milk or to assess its effects on milk production/excretion. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for Tetracaine Hydrochloride Ophthalmic Solution, USP 0.5% and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed child from Tetracaine Hydrochloride Ophthalmic Solution, USP 0.5%. 8.3 Females and Males of Reproductive Potential No human data on the effect of Tetracaine Hydrochloride Ophthalmic Solution, USP 0.5% on fertility are available. 8.4 Pediatric Use Safety of Tetracaine Hydrochloride Ophthalmic Solution, USP 0.5% in the pediatric population has been demonstrated in clinical trials. Efficacy of Tetracaine Hydrochloride Ophthalmic Solution, USP 0.5% for use in pediatric patients has been extrapolated from adequate and well controlled clinical trials in the adult population. 8.5 Geriatric Use No overall differences in safety or effectiveness of Tetracaine Hydrochloride Ophthalmic Solution, USP 0.5% have been observed between elderly and younger patients.

Mechanism of Action

openFDA Drug Labeling

12.1 Mechanism of Action Tetracaine blocks sodium ion channels required for the initiation and conduction of neuronal impulses thereby affecting local anesthesia.

Description

openFDA Drug Labeling

11 DESCRIPTION Tetracaine Hydrochloride Ophthalmic Solution, USP 0.5% is a sterile, clear, colorless, topical local anesthetic for ophthalmic use only containing tetracaine hydrochloride as the active pharmaceutical ingredient. Tetracaine hydrochloride is chemically designated as benzoic acid, 4-(butylamino)-, 2-(dimethylamino) ethyl ester, monohydrochloride. Its chemical formula is C 15 H 24 N 2 O 2 ● HCl and it is represented by the chemical structure: Tetracaine hydrochloride is a fine, white, crystalline, odorless powder with a molecular weight of 300.83. Active ingredient: tetracaine hydrochloride 0.5% w/v (equivalent to 0.44% w/v tetracaine) Preservative: chlorobutanol 0.4% Inactive ingredients: boric acid, edetate disodium dihydrate, potassium chloride, water for injection. Sodium hydroxide and/or hydrochloric acid may be added to adjust pH (3.7 – 6.0). chemstructure

10 OVERDOSAGE Prolonged use of a topical ocular anesthetic including Tetracaine Hydrochloride Ophthalmic Solution, USP 0.5% may produce permanent corneal opacification and ulceration with accompanying visual loss.

How Supplied / Storage and Handling

openFDA Drug Labeling

16 HOW SUPPLIED/STORAGE AND HANDLING Tetracaine Hydrochloride Ophthalmic Solution, USP 0.5% is supplied as a sterile, aqueous, topical ophthalmic solution in a low-density polyethylene plastic dropper bottle with a low-density polyethylene dropper tip and white polypropylene cap in the following sizes: NDC 82260-920-15 15 mL in a 15 mL Bottle NDC 82260-920-05 5 mL in a 7.5 mL Bottle After opening, this product can be used until the expiration date stamped on the bottle. Storage: Store at 15°C to 25°C (59°F to 77°F). Protect from light. Do not use if solution contains crystals, cloudy, or discolored.

Adverse event reports

Source: openFDA FAERS
156
FAERS reports mentioning this drug
as of 2026-09-25T03:42:24+00:00
A report count is not a risk measure. FAERS accepts voluntary and mandatory reports without establishing causation, and reporting is influenced by how widely a drug is used, how long it has been marketed, and media attention. FDA states that reports “do not prove that the drug caused the event”. Compare rates, not totals.

Attributed to this product's most-reported active ingredient: TETRACAINE HYDROCHLORIDE. Combination products with more than six active ingredients are not attributed, because a report count summed across a long ingredient list measures the list, not the medicine.

Packaging and NDCs

Source: NDC Directory
Every National Drug Code package associated with this medication. The NDC is the identifier used for dispensing, billing and pharmacovigilance in the United States.
Package NDC Product NDC Labeler Description Marketing start
82260-920-05 82260-920 Bausch & Lomb Americas Inc. 1 BOTTLE, DROPPER in 1 CARTON (82260-920-05) / 5 mL in 1 BOTTLE, DROPPER September 21, 2022
82260-920-15 82260-920 Bausch & Lomb Americas Inc. 1 BOTTLE, DROPPER in 1 CARTON (82260-920-15) / 15 mL in 1 BOTTLE, DROPPER September 21, 2022
24208-092-05 24208-092 Bausch & Lomb Incorporated 1 BOTTLE, DROPPER in 1 CARTON (24208-092-05) / 5 mL in 1 BOTTLE, DROPPER September 23, 2022
24208-092-15 24208-092 Bausch & Lomb Incorporated 1 BOTTLE, DROPPER in 1 CARTON (24208-092-15) / 15 mL in 1 BOTTLE, DROPPER September 23, 2022
0187-0920-05 0187-0920 Bausch Health US LLC 1 BOTTLE in 1 CARTON (0187-0920-05) / 5 mL in 1 BOTTLE June 27, 2019
68682-920-05 68682-920 Oceanside Pharmaceuticals 1 BOTTLE in 1 CARTON (68682-920-05) / 5 mL in 1 BOTTLE April 5, 2020
68682-920-64 68682-920 Oceanside Pharmaceuticals 1 BOTTLE in 1 CARTON (68682-920-64) / 15 mL in 1 BOTTLE June 27, 2019
82260-920 82260-920 Bausch & Lomb Americas Inc. — September 21, 2022
24208-092 24208-092 Bausch & Lomb Incorporated — September 23, 2022
0187-0920 0187-0920 Bausch Health US LLC — June 27, 2019
68682-920 68682-920 Oceanside Pharmaceuticals — June 27, 2019

Sources for this page

Every dataset that contributed a fact to this page.
Dataset Agency Used for
NDC Directory FDA Identity, ingredients, strengths, forms, routes, labelers, packages
Drugs@FDA FDA Application, sponsor, submissions, review documents, marketing status
Orange Book FDA Therapeutic equivalence codes, reference drug flags, patents, exclusivity
Drug Labeling FDA / NLM Prescribing information reproduced above
FAERS FDA Adverse event report counts

Generated September 25, 2026 · 12 sections on this page.