PHENYLEPHRINE (Ophthalmic)
Some commonly used brand names are:
In the U.S.?
- Ak-Dilate
- Ak-Nefrin
- Dilatair
- I-Phrine
- Isopto Frin
- Mydfrin
- Neofrin
- Neo-Synephrine
- Ocugestrin
- Ocu-Phrin Sterile Eye Drops
- Ocu-Phrin Sterile Ophthalmic Solution
- Phenoptic
- Prefrin Liquifilm
- Relief Eye Drops for Red Eyes
In Canada?
- Ak-Dilate
- Dionephrine
- Minims Phenylephrine
- Mydfrin
- Prefrin Liquifilm
- Spersaphrine
Generic name product may be available in the U.S.
Category
- Decongestant, ophthalmic
- Diagnostic aid, mydriatic
- Mydriatic
Description
Ophthalmicphenylephrine (fen-ill-EF-rin)in strengths of 2.5 and 10% is used to dilate (enlarge) the pupil. It is usedbefore eye examinations, before and after eye surgery, and to treat certaineye conditions. In the U.S., these preparations are available only with yourdoctor's prescription.
Ophthalmic phenylephrine in the strength of 0.12% is used to relieve rednessdue to minor irritations of the eye, such as those caused by allergy, dust,smoke, wind, and other irritants. This preparation is available without aprescription; however, your doctor may have special instructions on the properuse of phenylephrine for your eye problem.
Phenylephrine is available in 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 phenylephrine, the followingshould be considered:
Allergies?Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual orallergic reaction to phenylephrine or to sulfites. Also tell your health careprofessional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as preservatives.
Pregnancy?Ophthalmic phenylephrine may be absorbed into thebody. However, studies on effects in pregnancy have not been done in eitherhumans or animals.
Breast-feeding?Ophthalmic phenylephrine may be absorbed into themother's body. However, it is not known whether phenylephrine passes intobreast milk. Although most medicines pass into breast milk in small amounts,many of them may be used safely while breast-feeding. Mothers who are usingthis medicine and who wish to breast-feed should discuss this with their doctor.
Children?Children may be especially sensitive to the effectsof phenylephrine. This may increase the chance of side effects during treatment.In addition, the 10% strength is not recommended for use in infants. Also,the 2.5 and 10% strengths are not recommended for use in low birth weightinfants.
Older adults?Repeated use of 2.5 or 10% phenylephrine may increasethe chance of problems during treatment with this medicine. In addition, heartand blood vessel problems have occurred more often in elderly patients thanin younger adults.
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 phenylephrine. Make sure you tell your doctorif you have any other medical problems, especially:
- Type 2 diabetes mellitus or
- Heart or blood vessel disease or
- High blood pressure?The 2.5 and 10% strengths of phenylephrinemay make the condition worse
- Idiopathic orthostatic hypotension (a certain kind of low blood pressure)?Useof this medicine may cause a large increase in blood pressure to occur
Proper Use of This Medicine
Do not useif the solution turns brown or becomes cloudy.
To use:
- 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 2 or 3minutes to allow the medicine to be absorbed by the eye.
- Immediately after using the eye drops, wash your hands to removeany medicine that may be on them.
- 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.
For patients using the 2.5 or 10% eye drops:
- It is very important that you use this medicineonly as directed. Do not use more of it and do not use it more oftenthan your doctor ordered. To do so may increase the chance of too much medicinebeing absorbed into the body and the chance of side effects. This is especially important when this medicine is used in children or inpatients with heart disease or high blood pressure, since high dosesof this medicine may cause an irregular heartbeat and an increase in bloodpressure.
Dosing?The dose of ophthalmic phenylephrine will bedifferent for different patients. Follow your doctor'sorders or the directions on the label. The following information includesonly the average doses of ophthalmic phenylephrine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tellsyou to do so.
- For ophthalmic solution (eye drops) dosageform:
- For eye redness:
- Adults and children?Use one drop of 0.12% solution every threeor four hours as needed.
- For eye exams:
- Adults and children?Use one drop of 2.5% solution. Dependingon the eye test to be done, it will take from fifteen minutes to one or twohours for the medicine to work before you can have the eye test.
- For use before eye surgery:
- Adults and teenagers?Use one drop of 2.5 or 10% solution thirtyto sixty minutes before the start of eye surgery.
- Children?Use one drop of 2.5% solution thirty to sixty minutesbefore the start of eye surgery.
- For certain eye conditions:
- Adults and teenagers?Depending on the eye condition being treated,your doctor may tell you to use one drop of 2.5 or 10% solution in the eyefrom once a day to three times a day.
- Children?Depending on the eye condition being treated, yourdoctor may tell you to use one drop of 2.5% solution in the eye from oncea day to three times a day.
Missed dose?If you are using the 2.5 or 10% eye drops and youmiss a dose of this medicine, apply it as soon as possible. However, if itis almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to yourregular 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.
- Keep the 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
If eye pain or change in vision occurs or if redness or irritationof the eye continues, gets worse, or lasts for more than 72 hours, stop usingthe medicine and check with your doctor.
For patients using the 2.5 or 10% eye drops:
- After you apply this medicine to your eyes, your pupils will becomeunusually large. This will cause your eyes to become more sensitive to lightthan they are normally. When you go out during the daylighthours, even on cloudy days, wear sunglasses that block ultraviolet (UV) lightto protect your eyes from sunlight and other bright lights. Ordinarysunglasses may not protect your eyes. If you have any questions about thekind of sunglasses to wear, check with your doctor. Also, if this effect continuesfor longer than 12 hours after you have stopped using this medicine, checkwith your doctor.
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 as soon as possible if any of the following sideeffects occur:
Symptoms of too much medicine being absorbed into the body?Less common with 10% solution; rare with 2.5% or weakersolution
Dizziness; fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeat; increasedsweating; increase in blood pressure; paleness; trembling
Other side effects may occurthat usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go awayduring treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check withyour doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:
More common with 2.5 or 10% solution
Other side effects not listed abovemay also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check withyour doctor.
Revised: 10/2/2000
