Tetrahydrozoline ophthalmic narrows the blood vessels (veins and arteries) in your eyes.
Tetrahydrozoline ophthalmic is used to relieve redness, burning, irritation, and dryness of
the eyes caused by wind, sun, and other minor irritants.
Tetrahydrozoline ophthalmic may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication
guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking tetrahydrozoline ophthalmic?
You not use tetrahydrozoline ophthalmic without a doctor's advice if you have glaucoma.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:
heart disease or coronary artery disease;
high blood pressure;
diabetes; or
a thyroid disorder.
FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an
unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether tetrahydrozoline nasal 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.
Do not give this medication to a child without a doctor's advice.
How should I take tetrahydrozoline ophthalmic?
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.
Do not use tetrahydrozoline ophthalmic more often than recommended, or use it for longer
than 48 to 72 hours without a doctor's advice. Long-term use of this medication may damage the blood
vessels in the eyes. Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse.
Wash your hands before and after using the eye drops.
Do not use this medication while you are wearing contact lenses. This medication may
contain a preservative that can be absorbed by soft contact lenses. Wait at least 15 minutes after using
tetrahydrozoline before putting your contact lenses in.
To apply the eye drops:
Tilt your head back slightly and pull down your lower eyelid. 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.
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. Call your doctor for a new prescription.
Store tetrahydrozoline ophthalmic at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep
the bottle properly capped.
What happens if I miss a dose of tetrahydrozoline 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 tetrahydrozoline ophthalmic?
Your pharmacist has information about tetrahydrozoline ophthalmic written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of tetrahydrozoline ophthalmic?
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 tetrahydrozoline and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious
side effects:
severe burning, stinging, redness, or swelling of your nose;
burning, stinging, pain, or increased redness of the eye;
tearing or blurred vision;
nausea;
nervousness, dizziness, drowsiness;
sleep problems (insomnia); or
headache.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your
doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about tetrahydrozoline ophthalmic?
You not use tetrahydrozoline ophthalmic without a doctor's advice if you have glaucoma.
Do not use this medication while you are wearing contact lenses. This medication may
contain a preservative that can be absorbed by soft contact lenses. Wait at least 15 minutes after using
tetrahydrozoline 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.
Do not use tetrahydrozoline ophthalmic more often than recommended, or use it for longer
than 48 to 72 hours without a doctor's advice. Long-term use of this medication may damage the blood
vessels in the eyes. Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse.
What should I avoid while taking tetrahydrozoline ophthalmic?
Do not touch the dropper to any surface, including your eyes or hands. The dropper is
sterile. If it becomes contaminated, it could cause an infection in your eye.
Do not use any other eye medications that have not been prescribed or recommended by
your doctor.
Do not use tetrahydrozoline ophthalmic while wearing contact lenses. If you wear contact lenses
take them out or talk to your doctor before using the medication.
What other drugs will affect tetrahydrozoline ophthalmic?
Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you also use any of the following drugs:
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), labetalol
(Normodyne, Trandate), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol), propranolol (Inderal, InnoPran), sotalol
(Betapace), timolol (Blocadren), and others.
This is not a complete list and there may be other drugs that can interact with
tetrahydrozoline 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 tetrahydrozoline 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.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate,
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