Clear Eyes (Ophthalmic)

Naphazoline helps reduce redness caused by minor eye irritations, including those from colds, dust, wind, smog, pollen, swimming, or wearing contact lenses.

Some of these products are available only with a prescription from your doctor.

If you experience eye pain or changes in your vision, or if redness or irritation of the eye continues, worsens, or lasts more than 72 hours, stop using the medicine and consult your doctor.

In deciding to use a medicine, you and your doctor need to weigh the risks of taking the medicine against the benefits it may provide. Consider the following for this medicine:

Allergies

Inform your doctor if you have ever had any strange or allergic reactions to this medicine or any other medicines. Also, let your healthcare professional know if you have any other allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For over-the-counter products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

This medicine is not recommended for infants and children, as they are particularly sensitive to the effects of naphazoline.

Geriatric

Many medicines have not been specifically studied in older adults. Therefore, it may not be known if they work the same way in older people or if they cause different side effects or problems. There is no specific information comparing the use of naphazoline in the elderly with its use in other age groups.

Breast Feeding

There are not enough studies in women to determine the risk to infants when using this medicine during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before using this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Some medicines should not be used together, while others may be used in combination even if an interaction might happen. If you are taking this medicine, it is very important that your healthcare professional knows if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been highlighted because of their potential importance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is generally not recommended, but may be necessary in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may adjust the dose or frequency of one or both medicines.

• Iobenguane I 131

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be taken around mealtime or with specific types of food due to possible interactions. Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also lead to interactions. Talk to your healthcare professional about using your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

Having other medical issues may affect how you use this medicine. Be sure to inform your doctor if you have any other medical conditions, especially:

• Type 2 diabetes mellitus or
• Heart disease or
• High blood pressure or
• Overactive thyroid—Using ophthalmic naphazoline may worsen the condition

• Eye disease, infection, or injury—Symptoms may be confused with possible side effects of ophthalmic naphazoline.

Along with its necessary effects, this medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Not all side effects may happen, but if they do, they might need medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

With overuse or long-term use

• Increased eye irritation

Symptoms of too much medicine being absorbed into the body

• Dizziness
• Headache
• Increased sweating
• Nausea
• Nervousness
• Weakness

Symptoms of overdose

• Decrease in body temperature
• Drowsiness
• Slow heartbeat
• Severe weakness

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Your health care professional may also be able to tell you how to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue, are bothersome, or if you have any questions about them:

Less common or rare

• Blurred vision
• Large pupils

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your health care professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You can report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

In the U.S.

• AK-Con
• Albalon
• Allersol
• Clear Eyes
• Naphcon
• Ocu-Zoline
• Vasoclear

Available Dosage Forms:

• Solution

Therapeutic Class: Decongestant

Pharmacologic Class: Sympathomimetic

Chemical Class: Imidazoline

Do not use naphazoline ophthalmic solution if it becomes cloudy or changes color.

Naphazoline should not be used in infants and children. It may cause severe slowing down of the central nervous system (CNS), which may lead to unconsciousness. It may also cause a severe decrease in body temperature.

Use this medicine only as directed. Do not use more of it, do not use it more often, and do not use it for more than 72 hours, unless otherwise directed by your doctor. To do so may make your eye redness and irritation worse and may also increase the chance of side effects.

To use:

• First, wash your hands. With the middle finger, apply pressure to the inside corner of the eye (and continue to apply pressure for 1 or 2 minutes after the medicine has been placed in the eye). Tilt the head back and with the index finger of the same hand, pull the lower eyelid away from the eye to form a pouch. Drop the medicine into the pouch and gently close the eyes. Do not blink. Keep the eyes closed for 1 or 2 minutes to allow the medicine to be absorbed.
• To keep the medicine as germ-free as possible, do not touch the applicator tip to any surface (including the eye). Also, keep the container tightly closed.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For ophthalmic solution (eye drop) dosage form: For eye redness: Adults—Use one drop not more often than every four hours. Children—Use is not recommended.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.