Naphazoline (Ophthalmic)

Naphazoline is used to reduce redness from minor eye irritations, including those caused by 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 a change in vision, or if redness or irritation in 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 will consider the risks and benefits. For this medicine, think about 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 provider know if you have any other allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

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

Geriatric

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

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women to determine the risk to infants when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh 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 may be used together even if an interaction might happen. In such cases, your doctor may want to adjust the dose or take other precautions. It is especially important that your healthcare provider knows if you are taking any of the medicines listed below while using this medicine. The following interactions have been identified based on their potential importance 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 cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both medicines.

• Iobenguane I 131

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Some medicines should not be used 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 provider the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

Other medical conditions may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure to inform your doctor if you have any other medical issues, especially:

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

• Eye disease, infection, or injury—The symptoms of these conditions may be mistaken for possible side effects of ophthalmic naphazoline.

Along with its necessary effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Not all of these side effects may happen, but if they do, they may 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

• Increase in 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
• weakness (severe)

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 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.

• 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.