ANTIGLAUCOMA, LONG-ACTING (Ophthalmic)

Brand & Generic Names

DEMECARIUM
ECHOTHIOPHATE
ISOFLUROPHATE
Floropryl
Humorsol
Phospholine Iodide

Basic Information

• Habit forming? No
• Prescription needed? Yes
• Available as generic? No
• Drug class: Antiglaucoma (ophthalmic)

Uses

• Treats glaucoma (open-angle type).
• Treats glaucoma after some forms of eye surgery and a few other eye disorders.

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.
Press finger to tear duct in corner of eye for 2 minutes to prevent possible absorption by body. Eye ointment
Wash hands.
Pull lower lid down from eye to form a pouch.
Squeeze tube to apply thin strip of ointment into pouch.
Close eye 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.
Press finger to tear duct in corner of eye for 2 minutes to prevent possible absorption by body.

When to use:
As directed on label.

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

What drug does:
Inactivates an enzyme to reduce pressure inside the eye.

Time lapse before drug works:
5 to 60 minutes.

Don't use with:
Any other eye medicine without consulting your doctor.

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.

Common:

Pupils become small.

Infrequent:

Blurred vision, change in vision, eye pain, eyelids twitch, headache, watery eyes.

Rare:

Decreased vision with veil or curtain appearing, loss of bladder control, slow heartbeat, increased sweating, weakness, difficult breathing, vomiting, nausea, diarrhea.

Warnings & Precautions

Don't use if:
You are allergic to demecarium, echothiophate, isoflurophate.

Before you start, consult your doctor:

• If you have a history of retinal detachment.
• If you plan surgery under general or local anesthesia.
• If you have asthma, epilepsy, Down's syndrome, eye infection or other eye disease, heart disease, Parkinson's disease, ulcer in stomach or duodenum.

Over age 60:
No problems expected.

Pregnancy:
Risks to unborn child outweighs drug benefits. Don't use.

Breast-feeding:
Unknown effect. Consult doctor.

Infants & children:
Use under medical supervision only.

Prolonged use:
No problems expected.

Skin & sunlight:
No problems expected.

Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
Don't drive or pilot aircraft until you learn how medicine affects you. Don't work around dangerous machinery. Don't climb ladders or work in high places. Danger increases if you drink alcohol or take medicine affecting alertness and reflexes, such as antihistamines, tranquilizers, sedatives, pain medicine, narcotics and mind-altering drugs.

Discontinuing:

• Discontinue 2 to 3 weeks prior to eye surgery.
• Otherwise, don't discontinue without consulting your doctor. Dose may require gradual reduction if you have used drug for a long time. Doses of other drugs may also require adjustment.

Others:

• Keep appointments for regular eye examinations to measure pressure in the eye.
• Keep cool, but don't freeze.
• Eyeglass prescription may need changing.

Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

GENERIC NAME	COMBINED EFFECT
------------------------	-----------------------
Anticholinergics*	Increased risk of toxicity.
Atropine	May not be safe. Check with
(ophthalmic)	doctor.
Cholinesterase	Increased risk of toxicity.
Cyclopentolate	Reduces effect of
(ophthalmic)	antiglaucoma eye medicines.
Insecticides or	Increased toxic absorption of
pesticides with	pesticides.
Medicines to treat	Additive toxicity.
Physostigmine	Shortens action of antiglaucoma
(ophthalmic)	medicines.
Topical	Increased risk of toxic effects
anesthetics	of antiglaucoma eye medicines.

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.