Mitomycin ophthalmic

Mitomycin is a type of medicine that stops the growth and spread of some cells in the body.

Mitomycin ophthalmic (for the eyes) is used during glaucoma surgery.

Mitomycin ophthalmic may also be used for reasons not mentioned in this medication guide.

A healthcare provider will apply mitomycin ophthalmic to your eye(s) during glaucoma surgery.

Glaucoma surgery is usually done while you are awake. You will receive medicine to numb your eyes and lessen pain or discomfort during the surgery.

If general anesthesia is used for your surgery, you will not be awake during the operation.

Mitomycin ophthalmic is a liquid medicine that is first applied to a tray of tiny sponges. The sponges will soak in the mitomycin for at least 60 minutes.

Once the sponges are filled with mitomycin, your surgeon will place the sponges directly onto your eye.

The sponges will stay in place for 2 minutes and then be removed.

After the sponges are taken out, your eye will be rinsed thoroughly.

Your doctor may prescribe other eye medications for you to use after surgery. Use all medications as directed. Read the medication guide or patient instructions provided with each medication. Do not change your doses or medication schedule without your doctor's advice.

You should not use mitomycin ophthalmic if you are pregnant.

You should not be treated with this medicine if you are allergic to mitomycin.

You should not be treated with mitomycin ophthalmic if you are pregnant, or if you think you may be pregnant. Mitomycin could harm the unborn baby or cause birth defects.

Before you receive mitomycin ophthalmic, tell your doctor about all your medical conditions or allergies, and all the medicines you are using. Also make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

It is not known whether mitomycin ophthalmic passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed after being treated with this medicine. Follow your doctor's instructions about how long after treatment you should wait before you can breast-feed again.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Mitomycin ophthalmic may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor right away if you have:

• blurred vision, vision loss;
• tunnel vision, eye pain, seeing halos around lights; or
• eye swelling, redness, severe discomfort, crusting or drainage (these may be signs of infection).

Common side effects of mitomycin ophthalmic may include:

• eye redness; or
• changes in vision.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Usual Adult Dose for Glaucoma:

-Usual dose: 0.2 mg applied with saturated sponges (provided in the kit) equally to the treatment area with surgical forceps-Duration of therapy: 2 minutesComments:-This drug should not be administered intraocularly.-After 2 minutes, sponges and preparation materials should be discarded in a chemotherapy waste bag.Use: As an adjunct to ab externo glaucoma surgery

Because you will receive mitomycin ophthalmic in a clinical setting, it is unlikely that you will miss a dose.

Since mitomycin ophthalmic is given by a healthcare professional in a medical setting, an overdose is unlikely to occur.

Do not use other eye medications unless your doctor tells you to.

It is not likely that other drugs you take by mouth or inject will affect mitomycin ophthalmic. However, many drugs can interact with each other. Inform all your healthcare providers about all medicines you use, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.