Oxymetazoline (Ophthalmic)
Brand Names : Visine L.R., OcuClear
Before Using This MedicineIf you are taking this medicine
without a prescription, carefully read and follow any precautions on the label.
For ophthalmic oxymetazoline, the following should be considered:
Allergies - Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or
allergic reaction to oxymetazoline or to any other decongestant used in the
eye. Also tell your health care provider if you are allergic to any other
substances, such as preservatives.
Pregnancy - Ophthalmic oxymetazoline may be absorbed into the
body. However, studies on effects in pregnancy have not been done in either
humans or animals.
Breast-feeding - Oxymetazoline may be absorbed into the body. However,
oxymetazoline has not been shown to cause problems in nursing babies.
Children - Check with your doctor before using oxymetazoline
eye drops in children up to 6 years of age. Eye redness in children can occur
with illnesses, such as allergies, fevers, colds, and measles, that may require
medical attention.
Older adults - Many medicines have not been studied specifically
in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly
the same way they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effects
or problems in older people. There is no specific information comparing use
of oxymetazoline in the elderly with use in other age groups.
Other medicines - Although certain medicines should not be used
together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together
even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to
change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your health care
provider if you are using any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter
[OTC]) medicine.
Other medical problems - The presence of other medical
problems may affect the use of ophthalmic oxymetazoline. Make sure you tell
your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
-
Eye disease, infection, or injury - This medicine may mask the
symptoms of these conditions
-
Heart or blood vessel disease or
-
High blood pressure or
-
Overactive thyroid - If absorbed into the body, this medicine
may cause side effects that may make the medical problem worse
-
Use of soft contact lenses - Because of the preservative in this
medicine, some eye conditions may get worse if this medicine is used on top
of soft contact lenses
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