Ocular lubricant is a solution specially formulated to moisturize the eyes.
Ocular lubricant is used to relieve burning, irritation, and discomfort of the eyes due to
dryness.
Ocular lubricant may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking ocular lubricant?
You should not use ocular lubricant if you have a bacterial, viral, or fungal infection in the
eye, unless you are also using an anti-infective medicine.
Ocular lubricant is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Talk to your healthcare
provider before using ocular lubricant if you are pregnant.
It is not known whether ocular lubricant passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing
baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take ocular lubricant?
Use this medication exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not
use it in larger amounts or for longer than recommended.
Wash your hands before using the eye drops.
Do not use this medication while you are wearing contact lenses. Ocular lubricant may
contain a preservative that can be absorbed by soft contact lenses. Wait at least 15 minutes after using
ocular lubricant before putting your contact lenses in.
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 dropper tip down. Look up and
away from the dropper as you squeeze out a drop, then close your eye.
Gently press your finger to the inside corner of the eye
(near your nose) for about 1 minute to keep the liquid from draining into your tear duct. If you
use more than one drop in the same eye, wait about 5 minutes before putting in the next drop.
Use only the number of drops your doctor has prescribed.
Do not allow the dropper tip to touch any surface, including
the eyes or hands. If the dropper becomes contaminated it could cause an infection in your eye,
which can lead to vision loss or serious damage to the eye.
Do not use the eye drops if the liquid has changed colors or has particles in
it.
To use the gel or ointment:
Pull your lower eyelid down to create a small pocket. Squeeze a
ribbon of ointment into the pocket without touching the tip of the tube to your eye.
Look downward before closing your eye.
You may have blurred vision for a short time s the ointment
settles in your eye.
Stop using ocular lubricant and call your doctor if your symptoms do not
improve within 72 hours of using ocular lubricant.
Store this medication at room temperature away from heat and moisture. Keep the tube or
bottle tightly closed when not in use.
What happens if I miss a dose of ocular lubricant?
Since ocular lubricant is used as needed, you may not be on a dosing schedule. If you are using
the medication regularly, use the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your
next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose.
Do not
use
extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Where can I get more information about ocular lubricant?
Your pharmacist has information about ocular lubricant written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of ocular lubricant?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using ocular lubricant and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect
such as severe eye pain or vision changes.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical
advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about ocular lubricant?
You should not use ocular lubricant if you have a bacterial, viral, or fungal infection in the
eye, unless you are also using an anti-infective medicine.
Do not use this medication while you are wearing contact lenses. Ocular lubricant may
contain a preservative that can be absorbed by soft contact lenses. Wait at least 15 minutes after using
ocular lubricant before putting your contact lenses in.
Do not allow the dropper tip to touch any surface, including the eyes or hands. If the dropper
becomes contaminated it could cause an infection in your eye, which can lead to vision loss or serious
damage to the eye.
Stop using ocular lubricant and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect
such as severe eye pain or vision changes.
Avoid using other medications in your eyes during treatment with ocular lubricant unless your
doctor has told you to.
Stop using this medication and call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve within 72
hours of using ocular lubricant.
What should I avoid while taking ocular lubricant?
Avoid using other medications in your eyes during treatment with ocular lubricant unless your
doctor has told you to.
What other drugs will affect ocular lubricant?
It is not likely that other drugs you take orally or inject will have an effect on ocular lubricant
used in the eyes. But many drugs can interact with each other. Tell your doctor about all your
prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs
prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of ocular lubricant?
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share
your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
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up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum
information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not
warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does
not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist
licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not
a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or
drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any
given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information
Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug
interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse
or pharmacist.
Content provided by Multum - Last Updated 11/10/2009