Boots Infected Eyes 0.5% W/V Eye Drops
Information for the user
AUMUS • •
•••
Chloramphenicol 0.5% w/v Eye Drops
Read all of this leaflet carefully because it contains important information for you.
This medicine is available without prescription to treat bacterial conjunctivitis. However, you still need to use it carefully to get the best results from it.
• Keep this leaflet, you may need to read it again
• Ask your pharmacist if you need more information or advice
• You must contact a pharmacist or doctor if your symptoms worsen at anytime, or do not improve after 48 hours
What this medicine is for
This medicine contains chloramphenicol, an antibiotic, which acts to treat bacterial infections.
It can be used for the treatment of acute bacterial conjunctivitis. Conjunctivitis is an infection of the lining that covers the front of the eye. When you have bacterial conjunctivitis the white part of one or both of your eyes will be red and/or your eyelids will be red and swollen.
There will be a sticky discharge from the eye, which may make it hard to open your eye when you wake up, and your eye may feel "gritty” or "irritated”.
These eye drops are not suitable for treating serious eye infections (see " !T alk to your doctor”).
Before you use this medicine
This medicine can be used by adults and children aged 2 years and over. However, some people should not use this medicine or should seek the advice of their pharmacist or doctor first.
X Do not use:
• If you are allergic to chloramphenicol or any of the ingredients
• If you have ever had problems with your bone marrow or blood when using chloramphenicol in the past (this includes capsules, injections and eye drops) - your doctor will have told you this
• If you have a family history of blood “dyscrasias” - a condition which can cause problems such as tiredness, fatigue, unusual bruising, or an increase in the number of infections that you get
• If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, unless your doctor tells you to ! Talk to your doctor:
• If you have any of the following symptoms of a serious eye infection:
- your eyesight has been affected by the infection - you may have loss of sight, reduced sight, blurred vision or see halos around lights
- you are sensitive to bright lights
- you have pain within the eye
- your eye looks cloudy or the pupil of your eye looks unusual
- your eye is swollen and you have rash on your face
You will need antibiotic tablets or injections to treat these infections.
You should also talk to your doctor:
• If you have a foreign body (e.g. a splinter) in your eye which has not been removed
• If you have an eye infection that keeps coming back often
• If you have had eye surgery or laser treatment in the last six months
• If you have raised pressure in the eye (glaucoma), dry eyes syndrome or an eye injury, or you have had one of these before
• If you are using any other eye drops or eye ointments
• If you wear contact lenses - If your doctor tells you to use this medicine, see ‘Other important information’
Other important information
Do not use this medicine for long periods of time or to treat an infection that keeps coming back. If you do the infection may become resistant to this medicine and will be difficult to treat if you get it again.
Driving and using machines: This medicine can cause blurred vision. Do not drive or use machines until you are sure that you are not affected.
If you wear contact lenses: If your doctor or contact lens practitioner has advised you to use this medicine do not wear your contact lenses during the course of treatment.
Wear your glasses instead.
If you wear soft contact lenses: The preservative in this medicine may damage them. Wait for at least 24 hours after you last use the medicine before wearing your lenses again. Information about some of the ingredients: Phenylmercuric nitrate may cause allergic reactions.
If you take other medicines
Before you use this medicine, make sure that you tell your pharmacist about any other medicines you might be using at the same time, particularly the following:
• Medicines that suppress your bone marrow such as drugs used to treat cancer
If you are unsure about interactions with any other medicines, talk to your pharmacist.
S How to use this medicine
Check that the seal is not broken before first use. If it is do not use the drops.
For use in the eyes only.
Follow the directions below which show you how to put the drops into your eye.
|
Age |
How much to use |
How often to use it |
|
Adults and children of 2 years and over |
Put one drop into the infected eye. Or If both eyes are infected put one drop into each eye. |
For the first 48 hours use every 2 hours and then use every 4 hours. |
|
Use the medicine for 5 days. Do not stop using the medicine 1 better, because this could make your condition worse. |
Defore then, even if you feel | |
It is only necessary to use this medicine during the day when you are awake. You do not need to wake yourself up in the night to use it.
If you forget to use the drops: Use them as soon as you remember, and then carry on as normal. If it is almost time for the next dose, wait until the normal time. Never double up on the dose to make up for the missed one.
If your symptoms do not begin to improve within 48 hours talk to your doctor.
If your symptoms worsen at any time during treatment see a doctor at once.
Do not use for children under 2 years.
Directions Do not:
• Breathe on or touch the dropper nozzle
• T ouch the eyes or eyelids with dropper nozzle
• Share you eye drops with anyone else
1. Wash and dry your hands
2. Open the bottle. Take care that the tip of the dropper bottle does not touch your eye, the skin around your eye or your fingers.
3. Tilt your head backwards while seated, or lie down on your back
4. Place the tip of the bottle close to your eye. Gently pull the lower eye lid downwards and look up
5. Squeeze the bottle gently and let one drop fall into the space between the lower eye lid and the eye
6. Close your eye for a moment
7. If both eyes are infected repeat steps 3 to 6 for the other eye
8. Replace the cap securely after use
Possible side effects
Most people can use this medicine without any problems but sometimes you may notice some side effects.
! If you notice any of the following serious side effects, stop using the medicine and see your doctor at once.
• Swelling of the lips, throat or face, difficulty breathing, a sore, red itchy or lumpy rash, fever -these are symptoms of a severe allergic reaction
If you notice any of the following side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist:
• Severe tiredness or easy bruising - this may be a sign of bone marrow depression
You may notice a temporary burning or stinging sensation when you put the drops in your eyes.
Reporting of side effects
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
How to store this medicine
Store this medicine in a refrigerator between 2°C and 8°C. Store it in the original package to protect it from light.
Keep this medicine in a safe place out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not use this medicine after the Use By date on the carton.
Throw away any medicine left at the end of the 5 day course.
What is in this medicine
These drops contain Chloramphenicol 0.5% w/v, which is the active ingredient.
As well as the active ingredient, these drops also contain purified water, boric acid, borax
and phenylmercuric nitrate.
The pack contains 10 ml of eye drops.
Who makes this medicine
MAH: BCM, Nottingham NG2 3AA Manufacturer: Hamol Limited Nottingham NG90 2DB Leaflet prepared January 2015 Almus® is a registered trademark.
Component code
PACK MOCK UP BOX
Product Name: Almus Chloramphenicol 0.5% w/v Eye Drops Product Licence No: PL00014/5181R
Wording Ref: Draft Copy V2, draft issue 3, 02/11/11, AL0079/Lt2, Pharma Code 957 Status: Internally Approved
Pack details: White HDPE/LDPE bottle, white LDPE plug
Pack size: 10 ml
Version No: 1
Date issued: 13/01/2015
Reason for change: addition of Yellow Card warning