Dipivefrin (Ophthalmic)
   
Dipivefrin (Ophthalmic)
US Brand Names
• AKPro
• Propine C Cap B.I.D.
Canadian Brand Names
• DPE
• Ophtho-Dipivefrin
• Propine
Another commonly used name is dipivefrine .
Description
Dipivefrin (dye-PI-ve-frin) is used to treat certain types of glaucoma.
This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription, in the following dosage form:
Special Considerations
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For dipivefrin, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to dipivefrin or epinephrine. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as preservatives.
Pregnancy
Dipivefrin has not been studied in pregnant women. However, this medication has not been shown to cause birth defects or other problems in animal studies.
Breast-feeding
Dipivefrin may be absorbed into the body, but it is not known whether dipivefrin passes into the breast milk.
Children
Studies on this medicine have been done only in adult patients, and there is no specific information comparing use of this medicine in children with use in other age groups.
Older adults
Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults. Although there is no specific information comparing use of this medicine in the elderly with use in other age groups, this medicine is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults.
Other medicines
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your health care professional if you are using any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.
Other medical problems
The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of dipivefrin. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
Administration
Use this medicine only as directed . Do not use more of it and do not use it more often than your doctor ordered. To do so may increase the chance of too much medicine being absorbed into the body and the chance of side effects.
To use:
• First, wash your hands. Tilt the head back and, pressing your finger gently on the skin just beneath the lower eyelid, pull the lower eyelid away from the eye to make a space. Drop the medicine into this space. Let go of the eyelid and gently close the eyes. Do not blink. Keep the eyes closed and apply pressure to the inner corner of the eye with your finger for 1 or 2 minutes to allow the medicine to be absorbed by the eye.
• Immediately after using the eye drops, wash your hands to remove any medicine that may be on them.
• 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.
• If you are using the medicine with the compliance cap (C Cap):
o Before using the eye drops for the first time, make sure the number 1 or the correct day of the week appears in the window on the cap.
o Remove the cap and use the eye drops as directed.
o Replace the cap. Holding the cap between your thumb and forefinger, rotate the bottle until the cap clicks to the next station. This will tell you your next dose.
o After every dose, rotate the bottle until the cap clicks to the position that tells you your next dose.
Dosing
The dose of dipivefrin 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 dipivefrin. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
Missed dose
If you miss a dose of this medicine, apply the missed dose 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
To store this medicine:
• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Keep the medicine from freezing.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.
Precautions
Your doctor should check your eye pressure at regular visits.
Side Effects
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:
Rare
Fast or irregular heartbeat; increase in blood pressure; itching, pain, redness, or swelling of eye or eyelid (severe), or other irritation of the eye; skin rash or hives; watering of eyes (severe and continuing).
Other 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. However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:
Less common
Blurred vision; burning or stinging of the eye; headache; increased sensitivity of eyes to light; large pupils.
Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.
January 13, 1999 
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