Optrex red eyes

How does it work?

Optrex red eyes eye drops contain two active ingredients, naphazoline hydrochloride and hamamelis water, otherwise known as distilled witch hazel.

Naphazoline hydrochloride is a type of medicine called a sympathomimetic. It acts on alpha receptors in the walls of blood vessels. This causes the blood vessels to narrow and restricts the flow of blood through them. This action reduces redness in the eyes.

Distilled witch hazel has cooling and mild astringent actions that soothe irritated eyes.

Optrex red eyes eye drops can be used to provide relief from irritated, bloodshot eyes caused by dusty or smoky atmospheres, eye strain or chlorine in swimming pools.

The eye drops can be used up to four times a day.

What is it used for?

Red, bloodshot, irritated eyes.

Warning!

These eye drops must not be taken by mouth.

Optrex red eyes eye drops contain the preservative benzalkonium chloride, which can be absorbed by soft contact lenses and cause eye irritation. If you wear soft contact lenses, you should remove them while using these eye drops.

When using the eye drops you should take care to not touch the dropper tip to any surface, or to your eye, in order to avoid contaminating the eye drops with germs.

Optrex red eyes eye drops are sterile until opened. The bottles contain a preservative that helps keep the eye drops sterile once they are in use. However, any medicine remaining in the bottle after it has been open for four weeks or more is likely to be contaminated with germs and should no longer be used. Dispose of carefully, preferably by returning to your pharmacy. You may find it helpful to write the date of first opening on the packet.

If symptoms persist despite treatment, seek medical advice from your doctor, pharmacist or optician.

Not to be used in

Children under 12 years of age

Glaucoma

Eye infections or other eye diseases

People who have recently had eye surgery.

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

There is no safety information available on the use of the use of these eye drops during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, they have been widely used for many years without apparant ill consequence. Seek medical advice from your doctor before using these eye drops if you are pregnant.

If you do use these eye drops while pregnant or breastfeeding, you can minimise the amount of medicine absorbed into your bloodstream by pressing on the tear duct while putting in the drops, and for a few minutes after. The tear duct is at the corner of the eye closest to your nose.

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

Stinging on application

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

How can this medicine affect other medicines?

If you are using more than one type of eye drop you should administer them at least five minutes apart, to prevent the second drop washing away the first. Use eye gels or ointments last.

If you are being treated for glaucoma, eye infections or other eye diseases you should not use these eye drops.

<<Back
The documents contained in this web site are presented for information purposes only. The material is in no way intended to replace professional medical care or attention by a qualified practitioner. The materials in this web site cannot and should not be used as a basis for diagnosis or choice of treatment. Conditions for use



© Copyright 1998 - 2004 NetDoctor.co.uk - All rights reserved