Naphazoline (Ophthalmic)
   
Naphazoline (Ophthalmic)
US Brand Names
• Ak-Con
• Albalon
• Allerest
• Allergy Drops
• Clear Eyes Lubricating Eye Redness Reliever
• Comfort Eye Drops
• Degest 2
• Estivin II
• I-Naphline
• Muro's Opcon
• Nafazair
• Naphcon
• Naphcon Forte
• Ocu-Zoline Sterile Ophthalmic Solution
• VasoClear
• VasoClear A
• Vasocon Regular
Canadian Brand Names
• Ak-Con
• Albalon Liquifilm
• Naphcon Forte
• Vasocon
Description
Naphazoline (naf-AZ-oh-leen) is used to relieve redness due to minor eye irritations, such as those caused by colds, dust, wind, smog, pollen, swimming, or wearing contact lenses.
Some of these preparations are available only with your doctor's prescription. Others are available without a prescription; however, your doctor may have special instructions on the Administration for your medical problem.
Naphazoline is available in the following dosage form:
Special Considerations
If you are using this medicine without a prescription, carefully read and follow any precautions on the label. For ophthalmic naphazoline, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to naphazoline. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as preservatives.
Pregnancy
This medicine may be absorbed into the body. However, studies on effects in pregnancy have not been done in either humans or animals.
Breast-feeding
Naphazoline may be absorbed into the mother's body. However, this medicine has not been reported to cause problems in nursing babies.
Children
Use by infants and children is not recommended, since they are especially sensitive to the effects of naphazoline.
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 or if they cause different side effects or problems in older people. There is no specific information comparing use of naphazoline in the elderly with use in other age groups.
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 ophthalmic naphazoline. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
• Diabetes mellitus (sugar diabetes) or
• Heart disease or
• High blood pressure or
• Overactive thyroid-Use of ophthalmic naphazoline may make the condition worse
• Eye disease, infection, or injury-The symptoms of the condition may be confused with possible side effects of ophthalmic naphazoline
Administration
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 ophthalmic naphazoline 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 ophthalmic naphazoline. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
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
If eye pain or change in vision occurs or if redness or irritation of the eye continues, gets worse, or lasts for more than 72 hours, stop using the medicine and check with your doctor .
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.
When this medicine is used for short periods of time at recommended doses, side effects usually are rare. However, check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following 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).
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 health care professional if either of the following side effects continues or is bothersome:
Less common or rare
Blurred vision; large pupils.
Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your health care professional.
February 24, 1994 
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