Comprehensive medication guide to Cyclogyl including estimated pricing, availability information, side effects, and how to find it in stock at your local pharmacy.
Estimated Insurance Pricing
$5–$20 copay for generic cyclopentolate on most commercial plans (Tier 1–2); typically no prior authorization required. When administered in-office during an eye exam, cost is usually bundled into the visit fee. Medicare Part D coverage varies by plan.
Estimated Cash Pricing
Generic cyclopentolate costs approximately $25–$60 at retail pharmacies without insurance; as low as $7.62–$12.35 with GoodRx or SingleCare coupons for a 2–15 mL bottle. Brand-name Cyclogyl 1% (15 mL) retails for $50–$75 or more.
Medfinder Findability Score
40/100
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Cyclogyl is the brand name for cyclopentolate hydrochloride, a prescription ophthalmic (eye drop) solution manufactured by Alcon Laboratories. It belongs to a drug class called anticholinergics, which work by blocking acetylcholine receptors in the eye. Generic cyclopentolate is also available from Sandoz and Bausch Health.
Cyclogyl is FDA-approved to cause mydriasis (pupil dilation) and cycloplegia (temporary paralysis of the focusing muscles) in preparation for eye exams. It is available in three concentrations: 0.5%, 1%, and 2% ophthalmic solutions. The 1% solution is the most commonly used for adults and children aged 1–12.
Cyclogyl is also sometimes used off-label to treat anterior uveitis — inflammation inside the front of the eye. It is not a controlled substance and requires a prescription from a licensed provider.
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Cyclogyl (cyclopentolate) is a competitive muscarinic receptor antagonist. It blocks acetylcholine from binding to M3 muscarinic receptors in two key eye structures: the iris sphincter muscle and the ciliary muscle.
When the iris sphincter muscle is blocked, it can no longer constrict the pupil, allowing the dilator muscle to widen it — this is mydriasis. When the ciliary muscle is blocked, the lens can no longer change shape to focus on objects at different distances — this is cycloplegia, or paralysis of accommodation.
Onset of mydriasis occurs within 30–60 minutes of instillation; cycloplegia begins within 25–75 minutes. Effects typically resolve within 24 hours, though in individuals with darker irises, recovery may take up to 48 hours or longer.
0.5% — ophthalmic solution
Used for infants and patients with lighter-colored irises; 15 mL bottle
1% — ophthalmic solution
Most commonly used concentration for adults and children aged 1–12; available in 2 mL, 5 mL, and 15 mL bottles
2% — ophthalmic solution
Used for patients with darker irises requiring stronger cycloplegia; available in 2 mL, 5 mL, and 15 mL bottles
Cyclogyl (cyclopentolate) has been in active FDA shortage since February 2023, when Akorn Pharmaceuticals permanently closed following bankruptcy. Akorn was one of the largest U.S. manufacturers of generic ophthalmic solutions, including cyclopentolate. Their closure created an immediate and severe supply gap.
Only three manufacturers now produce cyclopentolate for the U.S. market: Alcon (brand Cyclogyl), Sandoz (generic), and Bausch Health (generic). While Sandoz has increased production since 2024, the FDA still lists cyclopentolate in active shortage as of 2026. Availability remains inconsistent — what's in stock at one pharmacy may be completely unavailable a few miles away.
If you're having trouble finding Cyclogyl at your pharmacy, medfinder can help. medfinder contacts pharmacies near you to find out which ones have it in stock, then texts you the results — saving you hours of phone calls.
Cyclogyl is not a controlled substance, so any licensed prescriber can write for it — there are no DEA schedule requirements. In practice, it is prescribed almost exclusively by eye care professionals.
Ophthalmologists (MD/DO) — Medical eye care specialists; manage surgical and complex medical eye conditions
Optometrists (OD) — Perform the majority of routine cycloplegic exams in the U.S.
Pediatric ophthalmologists — Primary prescribers for complex pediatric cases (amblyopia, strabismus)
Nurse Practitioners (NP) and Physician Assistants (PA) — May prescribe within their scope, particularly those in ophthalmology practices
Telehealth is generally not appropriate for obtaining a cyclopentolate prescription, as the medication is used to enable an in-person eye examination. Patients needing Cyclogyl should schedule with a local ophthalmologist or optometrist.
No. Cyclogyl (cyclopentolate hydrochloride) is not a controlled substance and is not scheduled by the DEA. It is a prescription-only (Rx) medication, meaning you need a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider to obtain it at a pharmacy.
Because it is not a controlled substance, there are no special requirements for prescription refills, no quantity limits imposed by federal law, and no DEA registration required for prescribers. Any licensed prescriber can write for cyclopentolate. That said, it is used almost exclusively in clinical eye care settings and is rarely prescribed for home use except in specific circumstances (pre-exam dilation or uveitis treatment).
These side effects are expected and are a direct result of how cyclopentolate works:
Blurred vision (especially up close) lasting up to 24 hours
Light sensitivity (photophobia) — wear UV-protective sunglasses
Burning or stinging upon instillation (brief)
Eye redness or mild irritation
Transient increase in intraocular pressure
Eye pain or significant increase in eye pressure (possible angle-closure glaucoma)
Rapid heartbeat (tachycardia) — especially in infants
Confusion, disorientation, hallucinations, or behavioral disturbances — especially in children (30–45 min post-instillation with 2% solution)
Seizures (rare; increased risk in infants with CNS damage)
Fever, flushed or dry skin — signs of systemic anticholinergic effects
Severe allergic reaction (rare): hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of face/lips/tongue/throat
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Tropicamide (Mydriacyl)
Shorter-acting alternative; onset ~30 min, recovery 6–7 hours. Slightly weaker cycloplegia than cyclopentolate. Acceptable for routine adult dilation and some pediatric exams without strabismus.
Atropine (Isopto Atropine)
Gold standard for cycloplegic potency; longest duration (7–14 days). Used for accommodative esotropia, myopia control, amblyopia treatment, and maximum cycloplegia cases.
Homatropine hydrobromide
Intermediate-acting cycloplegic; duration 1–3 days. Weaker than atropine and cyclopentolate; used for uveitis treatment and some refractive cases.
Cyclomydril (cyclopentolate + phenylephrine)
Combination product recommended for infants under 6 months. Contains lower-dose cyclopentolate (0.2%) combined with phenylephrine (1%) for safer use in neonates.
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Carbachol (ophthalmic)
moderateDirectly opposes cyclopentolate's effect; may prevent adequate dilation in glaucoma patients using carbachol.
Pilocarpine (ophthalmic)
moderateCholinergic agonist that directly counters cyclopentolate; patients on pilocarpine for glaucoma may have difficulty dilating.
Ophthalmic cholinesterase inhibitors (echothiophate)
moderateIncrease acetylcholine levels and significantly reduce cyclopentolate's effectiveness.
Other anticholinergic medications
moderateAdditive anticholinergic effects when cyclopentolate is systemically absorbed; increased risk of CNS effects, tachycardia, urinary retention, especially in elderly.
Cyclogyl (cyclopentolate) is an essential ophthalmic medication — the standard of care for pediatric cycloplegic exams and widely used for routine dilation in patients of all ages. Its ongoing shortage since 2023 has disrupted eye care practices and frustrated patients and providers alike.
The good news: supply has stabilized compared to the worst period of 2023–2024. But availability remains inconsistent, and patients who need a retail prescription may still face challenges finding it. Generic cyclopentolate is significantly more affordable than brand-name Cyclogyl, and discount cards from GoodRx or SingleCare can reduce the cost to as low as $7.62 — well within reach for most patients.
If you're struggling to find Cyclogyl at your local pharmacy, medfinder can search pharmacies near you and text you the results. Don't waste hours calling around — let medfinder do the work for you.
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