PHENYLEPHRINE (Ophthalmic)

Brand & Generic Names

Ak-Dilate	Neo-Synephrine
Ak-Nefrin	Ocugestrin
Dilatair	Ocu-Phrin
I-Phrine	Prefrin Liquifilm
Isopto Frin	Relief Eye Drops
Mydfrin	for Red Eyes

Basic Information

• Habit forming? No
• Prescription needed? Yes, some strengths
• Available as generic? No
• Drug class: Mydriatic, decongestant

Uses

• High concentration drops--Dilates pupils.
• Low concentration drops (available without prescription)--Relieves minor eye irritations caused by colds, hay fever, dust, wind, swimming, sun, smog, hard contact lenses, eye strain, smoke.

Dosage & Usage Information

How to use:
Eye drops
Wash hands.
Apply pressure to inside corner of eye with middle finger.
Continue pressure for 1 minute after placing medicine in eye.
Tilt head backward. Pull lower lid away from eye with index finger of the same hand.
Drop eye drops into pouch and close eye. Don't blink.
Keep eyes closed for 1 to 2 minutes.
Don't touch applicator tip to any surface (including the eye). If you accidentally touch tip, clean with warm soap and water.
Keep container tightly closed.
Keep cool, but don't freeze.
Wash hands immediately after using.

When to use:
As directed on label.

If you forget a dose:
Use as soon as you remember.

What drug does:
Acts on small blood vessels to make them constrict.

Time lapse before drug works:
15 to 90 minutes.

Don't use with:
Other eye drops or ointment without consulting your eye doctor.
Antidepressants, guanadrel, guanethidine, maprotiline, pargyline, any MAO inhibitor.

Overdose

SYMPTOMS:
None expected.

WHAT TO DO:

Not intended for internal use. If child accidentally swallows, call poison-control center.

Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects

Life-threatening:

None expected, Discontinue. Call unless you use much doctor right away. more than directed.

Common:

None expected.

Infrequent:

None expected, unless you use much more than directed. If too much is used-- Burning or stinging eyes, headache, watery eyes, eye irritation not present before.

Rare:

None expected, unless you use much more than directed. If too much gets absorbed--Paleness, dizziness, tremor, increased sweating, irregular or fast heartbeat.

Warnings & Precautions

Don't use if:

• You are allergic to phenylephrine.
• You have glaucoma.

Before you start, consult your doctor:

• If you have heart disease with irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, diabetes.
• If you take antidepressants*, guanadrel, guanethidine, maprotiline, pargyline, any MAO inhibitor.

Over age 60:
Adverse reactions and side effects may be more frequent and severe than in younger persons. Ask doctor about smaller doses.

Pregnancy:
Safety to unborn child unestablished. Avoid if possible. Consult doctor.

Breast-feeding:
Safety not established. Consult doctor.

Infants & children:
Use only under close medical supervision.

Prolonged use:
Avoid if possible.

Skin & sunlight:
Sometimes causes increased sensitivity to sunlight.

Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
No problems expected.

Discontinuing:
No problems expected.

Others:

• Keep cool, but don't freeze.
• Consult doctor if condition doesn't improve in 3 to 4 days.

Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

GENERIC NAME	COMBINED EFFECT
------------------------	-----------------------
Clinically significant intera	ctions with oral or injected

Possible Interaction with Other Substances

INTERACTS WITH	COMBINED EFFECT
---------------	---------------
Alcohol:	None expected.
Beverages:	None expected.
Cocaine:	None expected.
Foods:	None expected.
Marijuana:	None expected.
Tobacco:	None expected.