Visine

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.

An overdose of tetrahydrozoline ophthalmic is not expected to be dangerous. Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222 if anyone has accidentally swallowed the medication.

Keep this medicine out of the reach of children. Certain eye medications can cause serious medical problems in a young child who accidentally sucks on or swallows medicine from the eye dropper.

Since tetrahydrozoline ophthalmic is used when needed, you may not be on a dosing schedule. If you are on a schedule, use the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Visine is an over the counter medication used to relieve eye redness in adults and children over 6 years of age. Visine belongs to a group of drugs called vasoconstrictors. These work to reduce eye redness by constricting the blood vessels in the eye.

This medication comes in drops and is inserted to the affected eye up to four times daily.

Common side effects of Visine include stinging or burning of the eye, blurred vision, and increased eye redness or irritation.

Discontinue use if conditions worsens or does not resolve in 72 hours.

Visine is part of the drug class:

• Sympathomimetics used as decongestants

Tetrahydrozoline is a vasoconstrictor. It works by narrowing swollen blood vessels in the eyes to reduce eye redness.

Tetrahydrozoline ophthalmic (for the eyes) is for temporary relief of minor eye redness, swelling, or draining caused by minor irritants.

Tetrahydrozoline ophthalmic may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

An overdose of tetrahydrozoline ophthalmic is not expected to be dangerous. Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222 if anyone has accidentally swallowed the medication.

Keep this medicine out of the reach of children. Certain eye medications can cause serious medical problems in a young child who accidentally sucks on or swallows medicine from the eye dropper.

Do not use this medication while wearing contact lenses. Tetrahydrozoline 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.

If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

• If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
• Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else's drugs.
• Keep a list of all your drugs (prescription, natural products, vitamins, OTC) with you. Give this list to your doctor.
• Talk with the doctor before starting any new drug, including prescription or OTC, natural products, or vitamins.
• Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. Check with your pharmacist. If you have any questions about this medicine, please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

This information should not be used to decide whether or not to take Visine or any other medicine. Only the healthcare provider has the knowledge and training to decide which medicines are right for a specific patient. This information does not endorse any medicine as safe, effective, or approved for treating any patient or health condition. This is only a brief summary of general information about this medicine. It does NOT include all information about the possible uses, directions, warnings, precautions, interactions, adverse effects, or risks that may apply to Visine. This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from the healthcare provider. You must talk with the healthcare provider for complete information about the risks and benefits of using this medicine.

Review Date: October 4, 2017

Applies to tetrahydrozoline ophthalmic: compounding powder, ophthalmic solution

Other

Systemic side effects are rare because of the minor extent of absorption after topical application.[Ref]

Ocular

Ocular side effects have included blurred vision, irritation, mydriasis, conjunctival hyperemia, and blepharoconjunctivitis. Conjunctival application, especially when high concentrations have been used in the elderly, may liberate pigment granules, presumably from the iris.[Ref]

Nervous system

Nervous system side effects associated with ocular sympathomimetic agents have included headache, tremor, trembling, dizziness, nervousness, and drowsiness.[Ref]

Cardiovascular

Cardiovascular side effects have rarely included palpitations, hypertension, and bradycardia.[Ref]

Some side effects of Visine Original may not be reported. Always consult your doctor or healthcare specialist for medical advice. You may also report side effects to the FDA.