Glycerin (Oral)

Glycerin (Oral) is used to treat conditions that cause high eye pressure, like glaucoma. It may also be used before eye surgery to lower eye pressure.

Glycerin may be used for other conditions as decided by your doctor.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Your doctor should check your progress at regular visits to make sure that this medicine is working properly.

In some patients, headaches may happen when taking this medicine. To help prevent or relieve the headache, lie down while taking this medicine and for a short time after taking it. If headaches become severe or do not go away, check with your doctor.

In deciding to use a medicine, you and your doctor need to think about the risks and benefits. For this medicine, consider the following:

Allergies

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

Pediatric

There is no specific information comparing the use of glycerin in children to its use in other age groups, but this medicine is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in children than it does in adults.

Geriatric

Glycerin reduces water in the body, which may increase the risk of dehydration in elderly patients taking it.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women to determine the risk to infants when using this medication during breastfeeding. Consider the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Some medicines should not be used together at all, while others can be used together, even if there may be an interaction. In these cases, your doctor may adjust the dose or take other precautions. It is very important for your healthcare professional to know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below when you are taking this medicine. The following interactions have been selected based on their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be necessary in some situations. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may adjust the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Arsenic Trioxide

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may increase the risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may adjust the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Licorice

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or certain types of food due to possible interactions. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also lead to interactions. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

Having other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical issues, especially:

• Type 2 diabetes mellitus—Using glycerin may increase the risk of dehydration (losing too much body water)

• Confused mental states or
• Heart disease or
• Kidney disease—Glycerin may worsen these conditions

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Not all of these side effects may occur, but if they do, they may need medical attention.

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

Less common

• Confusion

Rare

• Irregular heartbeat

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 or are bothersome, or if you have any questions about them:

More common

• Headache
• nausea or vomiting

Less common

• Diarrhea
• dizziness
• dryness of mouth or increased thirst

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

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

In the U.S.

• Osmoglyn

In Canada

• Glycerin

Available Dosage Forms:

• Spray

Therapeutic Class: Protectant, Dental

Pharmacologic Class: Diuretic, Osmotic

It is very important that you take this medicine only as directed. Do not take more of it and do not take it more often than your doctor ordered.

To improve the taste of this medicine, mix it with a small amount of unsweetened lemon, lime, or orange juice, pour over cracked ice, and sip through a straw.

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 oral dosage form (oral solution): To lower pressure in the eye: Adults—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The usual dose is 1 to 2 grams per kilogram (kg) (0.45 to 0.91 grams per pound) of body weight taken one time. Then, additional doses of 500 milligrams (mg) per kg (227 mg per pound) of body weight every six hours may be taken if needed. Children—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The usual dose is 1 to 1.5 grams per kg (0.45 to 0.68 grams per pound) of body weight taken one time. The dose may be repeated in four to eight hours if needed.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

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.