Oxymetazoline is a vasoconstrictor. It works by narrowing blood vessels in the eyes.
Oxymetazoline ophthalmic (for the eyes) is used to relieve redness, burning, irritation, and
dryness of the eye caused by wind, sun, and other minor irritants.
Oxymetazoline ophthalmic may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication
guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking oxymetazoline ophthalmic?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to oxymetazoline ophthalmic.
If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to
safely use this medication:
glaucoma;
heart disease or high blood pressure;
asthma;
diabetes; or
thyroid problems.
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether oxymetazoline
ophthalmic is harmful to an unborn baby. Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are
pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether oxymetazoline ophthalmic 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 oxymetazoline ophthalmic?
Use this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use it in larger amounts or for
longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
Do not use oxymetazoline ophthalmic while you are wearing contact lenses. This
medication may contain a preservative that can be absorbed by soft contact lenses and cause
discoloration. Wait at least 15 minutes after using oxymetazoline ophthalmic before putting your
contact lenses in.
Wash your hands before using the eye drops.
To apply the eye drops:
Shake the bottle gently before each use.
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.
Use only the number of drops your doctor has prescribed.
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.
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.
Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse after using
oxymetazoline ophthalmic. Do not use the medication for longer than 72 hours unless your doctor tells
you to. Overuse of oxymetazoline can damage the blood vessels in your eyes.
Store the drops at room temperature away from heat and moisture. Keep the bottle tightly
closed when not in use.
What happens if I miss a dose of oxymetazoline ophthalmic?
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 oxymetazoline ophthalmic?
Your pharmacist has information about oxymetazoline ophthalmic written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of oxymetazoline ophthalmic?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using oxymetazoline ophthalmic and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side
effect such as:
severe burning, stinging, pain, or irritation in your eyes;
fast or uneven heart rate; or
dangerously high blood pressure (severe headache, blurred
vision, buzzing in your ears, anxiety, confusion, chest pain, shortness of breath, uneven
heartbeats, seizure).
Less serious side effects may include:
mild burning, stinging, pain, or eye irritation;
redness or watering of your eye
blurred vision;
headache, dizziness;
feeling nervous or restless;
tremors or shaking;
nausea; or
increased sweating.
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 oxymetazoline ophthalmic?
Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you have glaucoma, heart disease or high blood
pressure, asthma, diabetes, or a thyroid disorder.
Tell your doctor if you take any heart or blood pressure medications.
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 oxymetazoline ophthalmic while you are wearing contact lenses. This
medication may contain a preservative that can be absorbed by soft contact lenses and cause
discoloration. Wait at least 15 minutes after using oxymetazoline ophthalmic before putting your
contact lenses in.
Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse after using
oxymetazoline ophthalmic. Do not use the medication for longer than 72 hours unless your doctor tells
you to. Overuse of oxymetazoline can damage the blood vessels in your eyes.
What should I avoid while taking oxymetazoline ophthalmic?
Avoid using other medications in your eyes during treatment with oxymetazoline ophthalmic
unless your doctor has told you to.
What other drugs will affect oxymetazoline ophthalmic?
Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially:
heart or blood pressure medications;
an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan),
phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine
(Parnate); or
a beta-blocker such as atenolol (Tenormin, Tenoretic),
carvedilol (Coreg), labetalol (Normodyne, Trandate), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol), nadolol
(Corgard), propranolol (Inderal, InnoPran), sotalol (Betapace), and others.
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with
oxymetazoline ophthalmic. 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 oxymetazoline ophthalmic?
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
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warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does
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interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse
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Content provided by Multum - Last Updated 11/10/2009