Naphazoline Ophthalmic

Do not use this medication while wearing contact lenses. Naphazoline ophthalmic may contain a preservative that can discolor soft contact lenses. Wait at least 15 minutes after using this medicine before putting in your contact lenses.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist if it is safe for you to use naphazoline ophthalmic if you are also using any of the following drugs:

• an antidepressant--amitriptyline, clomipramine, desipramine, desvenlafaxine, doxepin, duloxetine, imipramine, maprotiline, milnacipran, nortriptyline, venlafaxine;
• ergot medicine--ergotamine, dihydroergotamine, ergonovine, methylergonovine; or
• an MAO inhibitor--furazolidone, isocarboxazid, linezolid, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine.

This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with naphazoline ophthalmic. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

• If you have an allergy to naphazoline or any other part of naphazoline (ophthalmic).
• If you are allergic to any drugs like this one, any other drugs, foods, or other substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had, like rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other signs.
• If you have taken certain drugs used for low mood (depression) like isocarboxazid, phenelzine, or tranylcypromine or drugs used for Parkinson's disease like selegiline or rasagiline in the last 14 days. Taking this medicine within 14 days of those drugs can cause very bad high blood pressure.

This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with naphazoline.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take this medicine with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Change in eyesight, eye pain, or very bad eye irritation.
• Headache.
• Dizziness.
• Upset stomach.
• Feeling sleepy.

• Discuss specific use of drug and side effects with patient as it relates to treatment. (HCAHPS: During this hospital stay, were you given any medicine that you had not taken before? Before giving you any new medicine, how often did hospital staff tell you what the medicine was for? How often did hospital staff describe possible side effects in a way you could understand?)

• Patient may experience stinging or blurred vision. Have patient report immediately to prescriber vision changes, eye pain, severe eye irritation, headache, dizziness, nausea, or fatigue (HCAHPS).

• Educate patient about signs of a significant reaction (eg, wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; seizures; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat). Note: This is not a comprehensive list of all side effects. Patient should consult prescriber for additional questions.

Intended Use and Disclaimer: Should not be printed and given to patients. This information is intended to serve as a concise initial reference for healthcare professionals to use when discussing medications with a patient. You must ultimately rely on your own discretion, experience and judgment in diagnosing, treating and advising patients.

Use exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Using the medication too long or too often may worsen your symptoms and cause damage to the blood vessels in your eyes.

Wash your hands before using the eye drops.

To apply the eye drops:

• Tilt your head back slightly and pull down your lower eyelid to create a small pocket. Hold the dropper above the eye with the tip down. Look up and away from the dropper and squeeze out a drop.

• Close your eye and gently press your finger to the inside corner of the eye for about 1 minute, to keep the liquid from draining into your tear duct.

• Use only the number of drops recommended.

Do not touch the tip of the eye dropper or place it directly on your eye. A contaminated dropper can infect your eye, which could lead to serious vision problems.

Do not use the eye drops if the liquid has changed colors or has particles in it.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Do not freeze. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.

Naphazoline is a decongestant used to relieve redness, puffiness, and itchy/watering eyes due to colds, allergies, or eye irritations (smog, swimming, or wearing contact lenses). It is known as a sympathomimetic (alpha receptor agonist) that works in the eye to decrease congestion.

Some brands of naphazoline eye drops also contain other ingredients. Lubricants (such as glycerin, hypromellose, or polyethylene glycol 300) help protect the eyes from more irritation. Zinc sulfate, an astringent, helps reduce redness and irritation.

How to use Naphazoline HCL Drops

Follow all directions on the product package, or use as directed by your doctor. If you are uncertain about any of the information, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

To apply eye drops, wash your hands first. To avoid contamination, do not touch the dropper tip or let it touch your eye or any other surface.

Remove contact lenses before applying the eye drops. Wait at least 10 minutes after using this medication before inserting contact lenses.

Before using, check this product visually. Do not use if the liquid has changed color or is cloudy. Use in affected eye(s) as directed.

Tilt your head back, look upward, and pull down the lower eyelid to make a pouch. Hold the dropper directly over the eye and place 1 drop into the pouch. Look downward and gently close your eyes for 1 to 2 minutes. Place one finger at the corner of the eye near the nose and apply gentle pressure. This will prevent the medication from draining away from the eye. Try not to blink and do not rub the eye. Repeat these steps if your dose is for more than 1 drop and for the other eye if so directed.

Do not rinse the dropper. Replace the dropper cap tightly after each use.

If you are using another kind of eye medication (e.g., drops or ointments), wait at least 5 minutes before applying other medications. Use eye drops before eye ointments to allow the eye drops to enter the eye.

Overuse of this type of medication may result in increased eye redness (rebound hyperemia). Tell your doctor if this occurs or if your condition persists or worsens after 48 hours.

Stinging, redness, widened pupils, or blurred vision may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

If your doctor has directed you to use this medication, remember that he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Tell your doctor right away if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: dizziness, nausea, sweating, drowsiness, weakness, nervousness, worsening redness/itching/swelling in or around the eyes.

Tell your doctor right away if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: eye pain, other vision problems, headache, decrease in body temperature, irregular heartbeat.

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

In the US -

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.

In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.

Some products that may interact with this drug include: cyclobenzaprine, guanethidine, MAO inhibitors (linezolid, methylene blue, moclobemide, phenelzine procarbazine, rasagiline, safinamide, selegiline, isocarboxazid, tranylcypromine), maprotiline, tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline).