Proper Use

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

Do not use if the solution turns brown or becomes cloudy.

To use:

  • First, wash your hands. Tilt the head back and, pressing your finger gently on the skin just beneath the lower eyelid, pull the lower eyelid away from the eye to make a space. Drop the medicine into this space. Let go of the eyelid and gently close the eyes. Do not blink. Keep the eyes closed and apply pressure to the inner corner of the eye with your finger for 2 or 3 minutes to allow the medicine to be absorbed by the eye.
  • Immediately after using the eye drops, wash your hands to remove any medicine that may be on them.
  • To keep the medicine as germ-free as possible, do not touch the applicator tip 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 medicine only as directed. Do not use more of it and do not use it more often than your doctor ordered. To do so may increase the chance of too much medicine being absorbed into the body and the chance of side effects. This is especially important when this medicine is used in children or in patients with heart disease or high blood pressure, since high doses of this medicine may cause an irregular heartbeat and an increase in blood pressure.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

  • For ophthalmic solution (eye drops) dosage form:
    • For eye redness:
      • Adults and children—Use one drop of 0.12% solution every three or four hours as needed.
    • For eye exams:
      • Adults and children—Use one drop of 2.5% solution. Depending on the eye test to be done, it will take from fifteen minutes to one or two hours 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 thirty to sixty minutes before the start of eye surgery.
      • Children—Use one drop of 2.5% solution thirty to sixty minutes before 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 eye from once a day to three times a day.
      • Children—Depending on the eye condition being treated, your doctor may tell you to use one drop of 2.5% solution in the eye from once a day to three times a day.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

For non-prescription strength eye drops, follow the package directions.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Portions of this document last updated: April 01, 2024

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