Phenylephrine Hydrochloride, Ophthalmic

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: eye decongestant

Generic and brand names: phenylephrine hydrochloride, ophthalmic; AK-Dilate; AK-Nefrin; Isopto Frin; Mydfrin 2.5%; Neo-Synephrine Ophthalmic; Neo-Synephrine Viscous; Phenoptic; Prefrin Liquifilm; Relief Ophthalmic

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine, in the form of eyedrops, is used to relieve eye redness. It is also used to dilate the pupils for certain diagnostic and exam procedures and sometimes for surgery.

What should my health care provider know before I take this medicine?

If you are using the 10% solution of this medicine, be sure to tell your health care provider if you are also being treated for:

• diabetes
• glaucoma
• heart or blood vessel disease
• high blood pressure
• thyroid disease.

This medicine should be used with caution in:

• adults over the age of 65
• children who have low body weight

Talk with your health care provider before using this medicine if you have:

• an eye infection
• an eye injury
• problems with the normal tearing of your eyes
• recently had eye surgery.

Females of childbearing age: Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your health care provider's approval.

How do I use it?

Use the medicine exactly as directed by your health care provider. Do not use more drops or use them more often than directed. Using too much of this medicine may cause increased redness and irritation in the eye.

Wash your hands thoroughly before applying medicine to your eyes. Tilt your head back, and gently pull your lower eyelid down to form a pouch. Hold the dropper directly above your eye, look up, and squeeze a drop of the medicine into the pouch. Close your eyes for a minute or two and with a fingertip press gently on the inside corner of your eye to keep the medicine from draining out. Do not rub your eyes.

To keep from contaminating the medicine, do not let the tip of the dropper touch your eye or any other surface. Do not rinse the dropper. After use, put the cap on tightly. Do not use the medicine if it becomes discolored.

Do not use this medicine for more than 48 to 72 hours without your health care provider's approval.

If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and use the next one as directed. Do not use double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your health care provider.

What should I watch out for?

This medicine widens your pupils, so your eyes may be more sensitive to bright light. Wear dark glasses outdoors.

If you need surgery, or a diagnostic test such as a radioisotope scan, tell your health care provider you are using this medicine.

This medicine may cause temporary blurring of your vision. Do not drive or operate machinery until you can see clearly.

Do not use this medicine for other eye conditions unless your health care provider approves. Do not share eye medicines with others.

Be sure to tell your health care provider if you are using any other medicines in your eyes. You may need to allow some time between applications of these products or to stop using the other medicines.

If your eyes do not get better in a few days or if they get worse, contact your health care provider.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your health care provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Serious (report these to your health care provider right away): Any new redness, irritation, or swelling that develops while you are using the medicine; high blood pressure; rapid heartbeat; dizziness; chest pain; shortness of breath; severe eye pain or sensitivity to light; seeing floating spots.

Other: Stinging or blurred vision after applying the medicine, tearing, headache, tremor, weakness.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you use this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Also, using these medicines together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your health care provider if you are taking any of these medicines:

• beta-blockers such as propranolol (Inderal), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol), atenolol (Tenormin), timolol (Blocadren), sotalol (Betapace), nadolol (Corgard), and carvedilol (Coreg)
• guanethidine (Ismelin)
• MAO inhibitor antidepressants such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), tranylcypromine (Parnate), procarbazine (Matulane), selegiline (Eldepryl), furazolidine (Furoxone) and midodrine (ProAmatine). (Do not take an MAO inhibitor and this medicine within 14 days of each other.)
• methyldopa (Aldomet)
• reserpine (Serpasil)
• tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil), nortriptyline (Aventyl, Pamelor), imipramine (Tofranil), and doxepin (Sinequan).

Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, nonprescription, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins) with you. Be sure that you tell all health care providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your health care provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.