Topic Overview

If you have narrow drainage angles and are at risk for closed-angle glaucoma, you may need to avoid medicines that widen (dilate) the pupil, the dark spot in the center of the eye. Talk with your eye specialist about medicines that you should not take.

The following kinds of medicines may dilate the pupil. Look for these names on the list of ingredients of any medicines you use—both prescription and nonprescription—and check with your doctor before using them again.

• Antihistamines and decongestants: Pseudoephedrine (such as Actifed or Sudafed), diphenhydramine (such as Benadryl), hydroxyzine (such as Vistaril), and clemastine fumarate (such as Tavist)
• Asthma medicines: Albuterol (such as Proventil or Ventolin), metaproterenol sulfate, isoetharine (such as Bronkosol), and theophylline (such as Uniphyl)
• Motion sickness medicines: Scopolamine (such as Transderm-Scop) and dimenhydrinate (such as Dramamine).
• Some medicines used to treat depression (tricyclic antidepressants): Tricyclic antidepressants, such as amitriptyline, nortriptyline (such as Pamelor), doxepin (such as Sinequan), clomipramine (Anafranil), amoxapine, chlordiazepoxide and amitriptyline (Limbitrol), trimipramine (Surmontil), and imipramine (such as Tofranil). But some medicines used to treat depression (such as fluoxetine or Prozac) do not affect the pupils and are safe to take.

Some medicines used to treat glaucoma that decrease the production of the fluid inside the eye (adrenergic medicines) also may cause the pupil to dilate. Your doctor can tell you whether these medicines are safe for you.