APRACLONIDINE (Ophthalmic)
Some commonly used brand names are:
In the U.S.?
In Canada?
Other commonly used names are aplonidine and p-aminoclonidine.
Category
- Antiglaucoma agent, ophthalmic
- Antihypertensive, ocular
Description
Apraclonidine (a-pra-KLON-i-deen) 0.5% is used to treat glaucoma when the medications youhave been using for glaucoma do not reduce your eye pressure enough.
Apraclonidine 1% is used just before and after certain types of eye surgery(argon laser trabeculoplasty, argon laser iridotomy, and Nd:YAG laser posteriorcapsulotomy). The medicine is used to control or prevent a rise in pressurewithin the eye (ocular hypertension) that can occur after this type of surgery.
Apraclonidine 0.5% is available only with your doctor's prescription. Apraclonidine1% is given in the hospital at the time of the surgery. This medicine is availablein the following dosage form:
Ophthalmic- Ophthalmic solution (eye drops) (U.S. and Canada)
Before Using This Medicine
In deciding to use a medicine,the risks of using the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do.This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For apraclonidine, the followingshould be considered:
Allergies?Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual orallergic reaction to apraclonidine or clonidine. Also tell your health careprofessional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as preservatives.
Pregnancy?Apraclonidine has not been studied in pregnant women.However, apraclonidine has been shown to cause death of the fetus when givenby mouth to pregnant rabbits in doses that are many times larger than thehuman dose. Before using this medicine, make sure your doctor knows if youare pregnant or if you may become pregnant.
Breast-feeding?It is not known whether apraclonidine passes intothe breast milk. Although most medicines pass into breast milk in small amounts,many of them may be used safely while breast-feeding. Mothers who are using0.5% apraclonidine and who wish to breast-feed should discuss this with theirdoctor. For mothers who are to be treated with 1% apraclonidine during eyesurgery, your doctor may want you to stop breast-feeding during the day ofyour surgery.
Children?Studies on this medicine have been done only in adultpatients, and there is no specific information comparing use of apraclonidinein children with use in other age groups.
Older adults?Many medicines have not been studied specificallyin older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactlythe same way they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effectsor problems in older people. There is no specific information comparing useof apraclonidine in the elderly with use in other age groups.
Other medicines?Although certain medicines should not be usedtogether at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used togethereven if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want tochange the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your health careprofessional if you are using any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter[OTC]) medicine.
Other medical problems?The presence of other medicalproblems may affect the use of apraclonidine. Make sure you tell your doctorif you have any other medical problems, especially:
- Depression or
- Heart or blood vessel disease or
- High blood pressure?Apraclonidine may make the condition worse
- Kidney disease or
- Liver disease?Higher blood levels of apraclonidine may result,which may lead to increased side effects
- Unusual reaction to a medicine that reduces the pressure within theeye?Apraclonidine is a strong reducer of eye pressure and could alsocause this reaction
- Vasovagal attack (history of)?The signs and symptoms are paleness,nausea, sweating, slow heartbeat, sudden and severe tiredness or weakness,and possibly fainting, usually brought on by emotional stress caused by fearor pain. Apraclonidine may cause this reaction to happen again
Proper Use of This Medicine
If your doctorordered two different eye drops to be used together, wait at least 10 minutesbetween the times you apply the medicines. This will help to keep the secondmedicine from ''washing out'' the first one.
To use the eye drops:
- First, wash your hands. Tilt the head back and, pressing your fingergently on the skin just beneath the lower eyelid, pull the lower eyelid awayfrom the eye to make a space. Drop the medicine into this space. Let go ofthe eyelid and gently close the eyes. Do not blink. Keep the eyes closed andapply pressure to the inner corner of the eye with your finger for 1 or 2minutes to allow the medicine to be absorbed by the eye.
- If you think you did not get the drop of medicine into your eye properly,use another drop.
- To keep the medicine as germ-free as possible, do not touch the applicatortip to any surface (including the eye). Also, keep the container tightly closed.
Use this medicine only as directed. Do not usemore of it and do not use it more often than your doctor ordered. To do somay increase the chance of too much medicine being absorbed into the bodyand the chance of side effects.
It is important that your doctor check your progressat regular visits. This is to make sure the medicine is working properly.
Dosing?The dose of ophthalmic apraclonidine will bedifferent for different patients. Follow the doctor'sorders or the directions on the label. The following information includesonly the average doses of ophthalmic apraclonidine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tellsyou to do so.
- For ophthalmic solution (eye drops) dosageform:
- For glaucoma (0.5% apraclonidine):
- Adults?Use one drop in each eye two or three times a day.
- Children?Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For preventing ocular hypertension before and after eye surgery (1%apraclonidine):
- Adults?One drop is placed in the affected eye one hour beforesurgery, then one drop in the same eye immediately after surgery.
- Children?Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
Missed dose?If you are using this medicine regularly and youmiss a dose, use it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time foryour next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule.Do not double doses.
Storage?To store this medicine:
- Keep out of the reach of children.
- Store away from heat and direct light.
- The 0.5% eye drops may be stored in the refrigerator. However, keepthe medicine from freezing.
- Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be surethat any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.
Precautions While Using This Medicine
Thismedicine may cause some people to become dizzy, drowsy, or less alert thanthey are normally. Make sure you know how you react tothis medicine before you drive, use machines, or do anything else that couldbe dangerous if you are not alert.
Apraclonidine may cause your eyes to become more sensitive to light thanthey are normally. Wearing sunglasses and avoiding too much exposure to brightlight may help lessen the discomfort.
Side Effects of This Medicine
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects.Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they mayneed medical attention.
Check with your doctor or nurse as soon as possible if the following sideeffects occur:
For 0.5% apraclonidine
Less common or rare
Blurred vision or change in vision; chest pain; clumsiness or unsteadiness; depression; dizziness; eye discharge, irritation, or pain; irregular heartbeat; numbness or tingling in fingersor toes; raising of upper eyelid; rash around eyes; redness of eyelid, or inner liningof eyelid; swelling of eye, eyelid, or inner liningof eyelid; swelling of face, hands, or feet; wheezing or troubled breathing
Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medicalattention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjuststo the medicine. However, check with your doctor or nurse if any of the followingside effects continue or are bothersome:
Other side effects not listed above may also occur insome patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor ornurse.
Revised: 07/03/1995
