Acular

This medication is used to temporarily relieve itching eyes caused by seasonal allergies. It is also used to prevent and treat eye swelling due to a certain type of eye surgery (cataract removal). Ketorolac belongs to a class of drugs known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). It works by blocking certain natural substances in your body to reduce pain and swelling.

If you have been instructed to use this drug on a regular schedule, use the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Apply this medication to the affected eye(s), usually 4 times daily or as directed by your doctor. 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. This medication should not be used while wearing contact lenses. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for details. Tilt your head back, look upward, and pull down the lower eyelid to make a pouch. Hold the dropper directly over your eye and place one drop into the pouch. Look downward and gently close your eyes for 1 to 2 minutes. Place one finger at the corner of your eye (near the nose) and apply gentle pressure. This will prevent the medication from draining out. Try not to blink and do not rub your eye. Repeat these steps for your other eye if so directed. Do not rinse the dropper. Replace the dropper cap 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. Do not apply this medication more often than prescribed or continue using it for longer than directed by your doctor. This medication is usually for short-term use (2 weeks or less) unless otherwise directed by your doctor. Use of ketorolac eye drops for longer than prescribed may increase the risk of very serious side effects of the eye. Inform your doctor if your condition persists or worsens.

Your healthcare professionals (e.g., doctor or pharmacist) may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for it. Do not start, stop or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: anti-platelet medications (e.g., clopidogrel), "blood thinners" (e.g., warfarin), corticosteroid drugs (e.g., prednisone), other eye medications (e.g., corticosteroid eye drops). Check all prescription and nonprescription medicine labels carefully since many medications contain pain relievers/fever reducers (NSAIDs such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen) which, if used together with ketorolac, may increase your risk for bleeding. Low-dose aspirin, as prescribed by your doctor for specific medical reasons such as heart attack or stroke prevention (usually at dosages of 81-325 milligrams per day), should be continued. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details. This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.

Do not share this medication with others. This medication has been prescribed for your current condition only. Do not use it later for another eye condition unless told to do so by your doctor. A different medication may be necessary in those cases. If you suffer from allergies, try to minimize exposure to pollen and other irritants. Use of cold compresses over the eyes and lubricating eye drops can also help relieve symptoms. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly. This medicine may be harmful if swallowed.

Before using ketorolac, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to aspirin, other NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen, celecoxib); or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients (such as preservatives like benzalkonium chloride), which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details. This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: aspirin-sensitive asthma (a history of worsening breathing with runny/stuffy nose after taking aspirin or other NSAIDs). Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: bleeding problems, previous eye surgery, other eye problems (e.g., dry eye syndrome, corneal problems), diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, nasal polyps. Your vision may be temporarily unstable after applying this drug. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires clear vision until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. This medication should be used only when clearly needed during the first 6 months of pregnancy. Avoid use during the last 3 months of pregnancy due to the potential for harm to an unborn baby. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. It is not known whether this drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Store at room temperature between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets. Discard this medication if the solution changes color, becomes cloudy, or develops particles. Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.

This medication may temporarily sting or burn your eyes for 1-2 minutes when applied. Eye redness and headache may also occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because 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 immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: eye swelling, eye discharge. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: vision changes, eye pain, bleeding inside the eye. A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction may include: 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. In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.