Lodoxamide eye drops

Allergic conjunctivitis causes red, watery and itchy eyes. It is caused by exposure to irritants such as plant pollens, pet fur, cosmetics or house dust mite. Seasonal allergic conjunctivitis occurs at certain times in a year, a common cause being an allergy to pollen in the hay fever season. Perennial allergic conjunctivitis persists throughout the year. This is commonly due to an allergy to house dust mite or animal hair.

Lodoxamide eye drops relieve the eye symptoms of an allergy by blocking the release of a chemical called histamine, which is produced by the body as part of the allergic reaction.

To make sure this is the right treatment for you, before you start using lodoxamide eye drops it is important that your doctor knows:

• If you are pregnant or breast-feeding.
• If you wear soft contact lenses.
• If the drops are intended for a child under 4 years of age. Lodoxamide eye drops are not recommended for this age group.
• If you have ever had an allergic reaction to any eye drops.
• If you are taking or using any other medicines. This includes any medicines you are taking which are available to buy without a prescription, as well as herbal and complementary medicines.

1. Wash your hands well before you use the drops.
2. Open the bottle.
3. Tilt your head back a little and pull the lower lid of your eye downwards to form a pocket.
4. Hold the bottle upside down near to your eye. Try not to touch your eye as you do this.
5. Gently press on the base of the bottle to release one drop into your eye.
6. Close your eye for a minute or two, and press gently on the side of your nose where the corner of your eye meets your nose. This helps to stop the drop from draining away and keeps it in your eye.
7. Repeat the process in your other eye if you have been told to use the drops in both eyes.
8. Put the cap back on the bottle.

• Before you start the treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from the pack. The manufacturer's leaflet will give you more information about the drops, and a full list of side-effects which you may experience from using them.
• Use lodoxamide eye drops four times a day, unless you have been told otherwise by your doctor.
• Take care not to touch your eye, fingers, or any other surface with the dropper of the bottle. This could infect the drops left in the bottle.
• When you first put the drops into your eye, it may cause blurred vision. This should quickly clear, but make sure you can see clearly again before you drive and before you use machines or tools.
• If you are using any other eye drops, leave at least five minutes between applying each preparation. This is to prevent more liquid going into your eye than it can handle. Otherwise the drops will overflow from your eye and not have the intended effect.
• Do not wear soft contact lenses while you are using lodoxamide eye drops unless your doctor has advised you otherwise. This is because lenses will irritate your eyes, and also because there is a preservative in the drops which can affect soft contact lenses.
• If your symptoms do not improve within a few days, or if they become worse, check again with your doctor.
• Your doctor will tell you how long to use the drops for. You should notice an improvement in your symptoms within a few days, but treatment for up to four weeks is sometimes required.

Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below contains some of the most common ones associated with lodoxamide eye drops. You will find a full list in the manufacturer's information leaflet supplied with the drops. Speak with your doctor if any of the following continue or become troublesome.

If you experience any other symptoms, which you think may be due to the drops, speak with your doctor or pharmacist.