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Package Leaflet - Information for the User

IOPIDINE 5 mg/ml eye drops, solution Apraclonidine (as hydrochloride)

Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start using this medicine.

•    Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.

•    If you have any further questions, ask your doctor or your pharmacist.

•    This medicine has been prescribed for you. Do not pass it on to others.

It may harm them, even if their symptoms are the same as yours.

•    If any of the side effects get serious, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell your doctor or pharmacist.

IN THIS LEAFLET

1.    What IOPIDINE is and what it is    4. Possible side effects

^{used for}    5. How to store IOPIDINE

².    ^{Before you use IOPIDINE}    6. Further information

3.    How to use IOPIDINE

IOPIDINE belongs to a group of medicines known as alpha agonists.

It is used in the treatment of chronic glaucoma in people who are already receiving other medicines to treat this disease.

In these people, IOPIDINE helps to reduce the fluid pressure in the eye and can delay the need for pressure relieving eye surgery.

Do not use IOPIDINE...

•    If you have a history of severe or unstable heart disease or circulatory problems.

•    If you are allergic to apraclonidine, clonidine or any of the ingredients listed in section 6.

•    If you are currently taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors antidepressants or tricycylic antidepressants.

•    If you are currently taking medicines of the class of sympathomimetics that are taken either orally or via injection.

•    In CHILDREN under 12 years of age.

Ask your doctor for advice.

Take special care...

•    Only use IOPIDINE for dropping in your eye(s).

•    IOPIDINE may not continue to control your eye pressure after you have used them for a period of time. Your doctor will examine you often while you are using IOPIDINE to see whether the eye drops are still working for you.

•    As IOPIDINE decreases the pressure in your eye(s), you should have your eye pressure checked regularly to ensure that the pressure in your eye(s) remains under control.

If you have a history of, or are taking medicine

to treat, any of the following:

•    Any heart disease (including angina, heart attacks or heart failure)

•    High blood pressure or other circulatory problems (including stroke, Raynaud’s disease and fainting spells)

•    Kidney or liver problems

•    Depression

•    Parkinson’s disease

•    Diabetes or low blood sugar. IOPIDINE may hide the signs and symptoms of a sudden reduction in blood sugar such as a fast heart beat or trembling.

•    If you are due to have an operation.

If any of these apply, you may still be able to use

IOPIDINE, but discuss it with your doctor first.

Using IOPIDINE with food and drink

No alcohol should be consumed during treatment with IOPIDINE as it can increase its effects.

Using other medicines

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are

taking or have recently taken any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription. IOPIDINE must not be used if you are taking monoamine oxidase inhibitor antidepressants or tricyclic antidepressants. IOPIDINE must also not be used if your are taking medicines of the class of sympathomimetics that are taken either orally or via injection.

IOPIDINE may increase the effects of some medicines used to treat - depression - asthma -high blood pressure - heart medicines containing digoxin or digitoxin - some forms of mental illness and Parkinson’s disease; and may interact with - some pain killers -sedatives - anaesthetic - tricyclic antidepressants - phenothiazines - cough and cold remedies -glaucoma medications such as timolol, brimonidine or dipivefrine - eye drops used to whiten the eye.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding

If you are pregnant or might get pregnant, or if you are breast-feeding a baby, talk to your doctor before you use IOPIDINE.

IOPIDINE should not be used during pregnancy or breast-feeding.

Driving and using machines

This type of medicine may cause you to feel sleepy and dizzy. If you do, you should not drive or operate machinery.

Important information if you wear Contact Lenses

Do not use the drops while wearing contact lenses. You should remove contact lenses (hard or soft) before using IOPIDINE and wait at least 15 minutes after use before putting your lenses back in. There is a preservative in IOPIDINE (benzalkonium chloride) that may cause eye irritation and is known to discolour soft contact lenses.

Continued over ►

The usual dose

The usual dose is 1 drop into your eye(s), 3 times each day.

Remove the loose collar from the cap when the bottle is first opened.

How to use

•    Wash your hands before you start.

•    Twist off the bottle cap.

•    Hold the bottle pointing down, between your thumb and fingers.

•    Tilt your head back.

•    Pull down your lower eyelid with a finger until there is a ‘pocket’ between the eyelid and your eye. The drop will go in here (picture 1).

•    Bring the bottle tip close to the eye. Do this in front of a mirror if it helps.

•If a drop misses your eye, try again.

•    If you forget to use IOPIDINE, continue with the next dose as planned. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule.

•    Do not use a double dose to make up.

•    If IOPIDINE is swallowed, see your doctor immediately.

•    If you use more IOPIDINE than you should

rinse it all out with warm water. Do not put in any more drops until it is time for your next regular dose.

Always use IOPIDINE exactly as your doctor has told you. You should check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.

Do not squeeze the bottle, only a gentle press on the bottom is needed.

After using IOPIDINE, press a finger into the corner of your eye, by the nose (picture 3). This helps to stop IOPIDINE getting into the rest of the body.

• If you use drops in both eyes, repeat the steps for your other eye. Put the bottle cap firmly back on immediately after use.

In case of accidental ingestion, symptoms of overdose may include decreased blood pressure, drowsiness, decreased heart rate, hypoventilation (reduced rate and depth of breathing), and convulsion.

If you are using other eye drop or eye ointment medicines, leave at least 5 minutes between each medicine. Eye ointments should be administered last.

If you have any further questions on the use of

IOPIDINE, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

4| POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS

Like all medicines, IOPIDINE can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. IOPIDINE can cause allergic reactions. If you experience one or more of the following eye symptoms - redness - itching - discomfort -watery eyes - abnormal sensation - eye and eyelid swelling - poor vision - see your doctor immediately.

If your vision gets worse straight after using IOPIDINE, stop use and see your doctor immediately.

• You may experience some or all of the following effects in your eye(s):

Very Common (affect more than 1 person in 10): increased redness - itching - inflammation.

Common (affect 1 to 10 people in 100): discomfort - watery eyes - swelling of the eyelids - gritty feeling in the eye - dry eye -eyelid crusting.

Uncommon (affect 1 to 10 people in 1000): bumps under the eyelids - swelling of the eye - abnormal vision - pain - inflammation and irritation of the eye or eyelids - corneal (the front part of your eye) surface damage -sensitivity to light - redness of the eyelid - raising or pulling up of the eyelids - increase in pupil size

-    reduced vision - blurred vision - drooping of eyelid - discharge or whitening of the eye.

• You may also experience effects in other areas of your body including:

Common: dry mouth - inflammation inside the nose - dermatitis - dry nose - weakness -headache - unusual taste.

Uncommon: chest pain - swelling of your hands, feet or extremities - irregular heart beat -constipation - nausea - feeling tired - sore throat

-    runny nose - muscle aches - poor coordination -sleepiness - dizziness - tingling feeling -nervousness - depression - difficulty sleeping -shortness of breath or difficulty breathing - unusual sense of smell - facial swelling - irritability -widening of blood vessels.

If any of the side effects get serious, or you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, tell your doctor or pharmacist.

•    Keep out of the reach and sight of children.

•    Do not refrigerate or freeze or store above 25°C.

•    Keep the bottle tightly closed and in the outer carton.

•    Do not use the drops after the expiry date (marked ‘Exp’) on the bottle and the carton. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.

•    Stop using the bottle 4 weeks after first opening, to prevent infections.

•    Medicines should not be disposed of via waste water or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. These measures will help to protect the environment.

•    Do not pass this medicine on to others.

It may harm them, even if their symptoms are the same as yours.

FURTHER INFORMATION

What IOPIDINE contains

•    The active substance is apraclonidine 5 mg/ml (as hydrochloride).

•    The other ingredients are sodium chloride, sodium acetate trihydrate, benzalkonium chloride, hydrochloric acid and/or sodium hydroxide (to adjust pH) and purified water.

What IOPIDINE looks like and contents of the pack

IOPIDINE is a clear, colourless to pale yellow solution supplied in a pack containing a 5 ml or 10 ml plastic bottle with a screw cap.

Marketing authorisation holder:

Alcon Laboratories (UK) Ltd.

Frimley Business Park, Frimley, Camberley, Surrey, GU16 7SR, United Kingdom.