epinephrine Ophthalmic

ep-i-NEF-rin

Commonly used brand name(s)

In Canada

• Epifrin


• Glaucon

Available Dosage Forms:

• Solution

Uses For epinephrine

Ophthalmic epinephrine is used to treat certain types of glaucoma. It may also be used in eye surgery.

epinephrine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Before Using epinephrine

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to medicines in this group or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Studies on epinephrine have been done only in adult patients, and there is no specific information comparing use of epinephrine in children with use in other age groups

Geriatric

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 epinephrine in the elderly with use in other age groups, epinephrine is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults.

Pregnancy

Ophthalmic epinephrine may be absorbed into the body. However, studies on effects in pregnancy have not been done in either humans or animals.

Breast Feeding

Ophthalmic epinephrine may be absorbed into the body. However, it is not known whether epinephrine passes into the breast milk.

Interactions with 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 healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of medicines in this class. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Bronchial asthma or


• Type 2 diabetes mellitus or


• Eye disease (other) or


• Heart or blood vessel disease or


• High blood pressure or


• Overactive thyroid—Epinephrine may make the condition worse.

• Dental surgery on gums—Dental surgery may include the use of epinephrine in topical or injection form. Use of ophthalmic epinephrine during this time may increase blood levels of the medicine and increase the chance of side effects.

Proper Use of epinephrine

Use epinephrine 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.

For patients using epinephrine ophthalmic solution:

• Do not use if the solution turns pinkish or brownish in color, or if it becomes cloudy.

For patients using epinephryl borate ophthalmic solution:

• The color of this solution may vary from colorless to amber yellow. Do not use if the solution turns dark brown or becomes cloudy.

Dosing

The dose medicines in this class 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 these medicines. 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 epinephrine and epinephryl borate


• For ophthalmic solution (eye drops) dosage forms:
  
  • For glaucoma:
    
    • Adults and teenagers—One drop one or two times a day.
    
    
    • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    
    
  
  

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of epinephrine, take it 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

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Precautions While Using epinephrine

Your doctor should check your eye pressure at regular visits.

epinephrine may cause blurred vision or other vision problems for a short time after it is applied. If any of these occur, do not drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are not able to see well.

epinephrine 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:

Less common

• Blurred or decreased vision

Symptoms of too much medicine being absorbed into the body

• Fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeat


• feeling faint


• increased sweating


• paleness


• trembling

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. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

• Headache or browache


• stinging, burning, redness, or other eye irritation


• watering of eyes

Less common

• Eye pain or ache

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.

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More epinephrine Ophthalmic resources

• Epinephrine Ophthalmic Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Epinephrine Ophthalmic Drug Interactions
• Epinephrine Ophthalmic Support Group
• 0 Reviews for Epinephrine Ophthalmic - Add your own review/rating

• epinephrine ophthalmic Concise Consumer Information (Cerner Multum)

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