Optrex Infected Eyes Eye Drops Optrex Infected Eyes Eye Drops

Optrex Infected Eye Drops are recommended for use in children aged 2 years and over, in adults and the elderly. A child below the age of 2 years with an eye infection should see a doctor.

• are allergic to chloramphenicol or any of the ingredients, shown under the ingredients tab

• have ever had problems with your blood (in particular very low numbers of blood cells) during previous treatment with chloramphenicol

• have bone-marrow depression or a family history of blood problems such as low white blood cell, red blood cell, or platelet counts.

Do not use this product and seek advice from your doctor if:

• your eyesight is affected (loss of sight, reduced vision, blurred vision or halos around lights)

• you have pain within the eye

• your eye has suffered a blow or other injury

• your eye is inflamed and you have a rash on the scalp or face

• the pupil of your eye looks unusual or your eye looks cloudy

• your eyes are sensitive to light

• you have (or think you have) a foreign body in your eye, which has not been removed

• you have recently had an eye infection

• you suffer from or have ever suffered from glaucoma or dry eye syndrome

• you wear contact lenses. If you wear contact lenses and your contact lens practitioner or doctor has advised you to use this product, do not wear your lenses during the course of treatment. Soft contact lenses should not be replaced for 24 hours after completing the treatment.

• you are using any other eye drops or eye ointment

• you have had eye surgery or laser treatment in the last 6 months.

Tell your pharmacist before using this product if you:

• are taking any other medicines

• suffer from any other eye problems.

If you are taking bone marrow depressant drugs (drugs which decrease the activity of the bone marrow, causing low blood cell counts) such as azathioprine or are receiving chemotherapy, seek the advice of your pharmacist or your doctor before using this product.

If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant or breastfeeding speak to your doctor or pharmacist before using this product.

After using the drops, you may temporarily get blurred vision. Do not drive or operate machinery until your vision is clear. If in doubt, talk to your pharmacist or doctor.

Contains phenylmercuric nitrate which may cause allergic reactions.

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

Stop using the product and seek medical help immediately if you experience:

• allergic reactions such as itching, rashes, fever, swelling, hives, wheezing, difficulty breathing, systemic inflammatory reactions and other.

• changes in blood (anaemia) leading to severe tiredness or easy bruising.

Other side effects may include:

• Discolouration or clouding of the eye surface (cornea) or lens due to the preservative.

• The use of topical chloramphenicol may occasionally result in the overgrowth of other non susceptible organisms including fungi. If any new infection appears during treatment you should tell your doctor.

• blurred vision, eye irritation or mild burning or stinging when you put the drops in.

• irritation of the skin around the eyes, mercurialentis (brown discolouration of the lens) and atypical band keratopathy (appearance of calcium on the cornea). These may be due to the preservative in the drops called phenyl mercuric nitrate.

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.

Applying the drops

To be used in the eye(s) only.

1. Check the seal is not broken before first use.

2. Wash and dry your hands.

3. Remove the plastic cap from the eye drop tip.

4. Tilt your head back while seated or lie down on your back.

5. Gently pull the lower eyelid downwards and look up.

6. Place the tip of the bottle close to your eye. Squeeze the bottle and let one drop fall into the space between the lower eyelid and the eye. Take care that the tip of the bottle does not touch your eye, the skin around your eye or your fingers.

7. Close your eye for a moment.

8. When both eyes are to be treated, repeat for the other eye

9. Replace the cap straight away

Whilst applying the drops, do not

• breathe on or touch the dropper nozzle

• touch the eyes or eyelids with the dropper nozzle

• share your eye drops with anyone else.

For external use only.

The course of treatment is 5 days. Keep using these eye drops for 5 days. Do not stop just because you feel better – this could make your condition worse.

If your symptoms do not improve within 48 hours, consult your doctor. If your symptoms get worse, seek medical advice at once.

Do not use Optrex Infected Eye Drops for more than 5 days without consulting your doctor. Discard any remaining eye drops after the 5 day course of treatment. Do not use in children under 2 years of age.

If you take more medicine than you should: Wash your eyes with plenty of water and speak to your doctor or pharmacist. Symptoms of local overdose may include eye irritation, pain, swelling, tears in the eye, sensitivity to light.

If you forget to use your drops

If you have only just missed a dose and it is a long time before the next dose is due, put in the missed dose of drops straight away. If you missed the dose some time ago and it is nearly time for your next dose, just put in the next dose of drops at the right time. Never double up on a dose to make up for the one you have missed.

Replace the cap securely after use. Store at 2°C to 8°C. This is the temperature of most domestic refrigerators. Keep this and all medicines out of the sight and reach of children. Do not use after the ‘use by’ date shown on the bottle. Discard any unused product within 28 days of opening. Medicines should not be disposed of via waste water or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. These measures will help protect the environment.