Optrex Allergy 2% W/V Eye Drops Solution
PACKAGE LEAFLET: INFORMATION FOR THE USER
EM Pharma Allergy Relief 2% w/v Eye Drops
Sodium cromoglicate
Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start using this medicine because it contains important information for you.
• Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
• Ask your pharmacist if you need more information or advice.
• If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse.
This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. See section 4.
• You must talk to your doctor if your eyes do not feel better or if they feel worse after 2 days.
What is in this leaflet:
1. What this medicine is and what it is used for
2. What you need to know before you use this medicine
3. How to use this medicine
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store this medicine
6. Contents of the pack and other information
1. WHAT THIS MEDICINE IS AND WHAT IT IS USED FOR
This medicine contains a medicine called sodium cromoglicate.
This belongs to a group of medicines called anti-allergics.
It works by stopping the release of the natural substances in your eyes that can lead to an allergic reaction. Signs of an allergic reaction include itchy, watery, red or inflamed eyes and puffy eyelids.
This medicine is used for the prevention and treatment of eye allergies.
These allergies can happen:
• At any time of the year and is called ‘perennial allergic conjunctivitis’
• In different seasons of the year caused by different pollens. This is called ‘seasonal allergic conjunctivitis’ or hay fever
2. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOU USE THIS MEDICINE
Do not use this medicine
• if you are allergic (hypersensitive) to sodium cromoglicate or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in Section 6: Contents of the pack and other information)
Signs of an allergic reaction include: a rash, swallowing or breathing problems, swelling of your lips, face, throat, tongue and worsening of redness, itching or swelling of the eye or eyelid.
Do not use this medicine if the above applies to you. If you are not sure, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using these eye drops.
Warnings and Precautions
• Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using this medicine if you wear soft contact lenses. You should not wear contact lenses while using these drops
If you are not sure if the above applies to you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using this medicine.
Other medicines and this medicine
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant, or are planning to have a baby; ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine.
Driving and using machines
You may have blurred eyesight straight after using this medicine.
If this happens, do not drive or use any tools or machines until you can see clearly. This medicine contains benzalkonium chloride This medicine contains benzalkonium chloride. This may cause your eyes to become irritated and may change the colour of your contact lenses. Avoid contact with soft contact lenses. Remove contact lenses prior to application and wait at least 15 minutes before reinsertion.
3. HOW TO USE THIS MEDICINE
Always use this medicine exactly as described in this leaflet or as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
How to use this medicine
![](/data/mhra/doc/fee16f396e212321ba0fb9af9915c446_files/fee16f396e212321ba0fb9af9915c446-1.jpg)
• Wash your hands
• Before using the medication for the first time, be sure that the tamper-proof seal on the bottle neck is unbroken. A gap between the bottle and the cap is normal for an unopened bottle.
• Remove the cap from the bottle.
• Tilt your head back
• Squeeze one or two drops inside the lower lid without touching your eye
• Close your eye
• Wipe away any excess liquid from the eyes with a clean tissue
• Always put the cap back on the bottle as soon as you have used it
• Repeat in the other eye if needed
How much to use
• One or two drops in each eye four times a day, or as directed by your doctor.
• If your symptoms worsen or do not improve, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
If you use more medicine than you should
Contact your doctor if you use the eye drops more frequently than the recommended dose, or continuously for more than three months.
If you forget to use this medicine
If you forget a dose, use your drops as soon as you remember.
However, if it is nearly time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not use a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.
If you stop using this medicine
You should keep using these drops if you are still around the things that you are allergic to. If you stop using this medicine your allergy symptoms may come back.
If you have any further questions on the use of this product, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
4. POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
Stop using this medicine and see a doctor as soon as possible if:
• The itching, redness or swelling gets worse. You may be allergic to these drops. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if any of the side effects gets serious or lasts longer than a few days, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet:
• Stinging or burning in your eyes or blurring of eyesight. This should only last for a short time and occurs immediately after using the eye drops.
• Mild eye irritation.
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.
5. HOW TO STORE THIS MEDICINE
Keep out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the bottle label and carton after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
This medicine does not require any special storage conditions before opening the bottle and after opening the bottle, do not store above 25°C. This medicine is sterile when you buy them, so you must not keep them for more than four weeks after opening the bottle.
Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use.
These measures will help to protect the environment.
6. CONTENTS OF THE PACK AND OTHER INFORMATION
What this medicine contains
• The active substance is sodium cromoglicate. Each 1ml of eye drops contains 20mg of sodium cromoglicate (2.0% w/v). One drop contains 0.7mg of sodium cromoglicate.
• The other ingredients are disodium edetate, benzalkonium chloride and water for injections.
What this medicine looks like and contents of the pack
This medicine is a clear colourless to pale yellow solution supplied in either a 5ml or 10ml plastic dropper bottle with a tamper-proof cap.
Marketing Authorisation Holder
Aspire Pharma Limited Bellamy House, Winton Road Petersfield
Hampshire, GU32 3HA UK
Manufacturer
Rafarm S.A.
Agiou Louka str.
19002 Paiania
Attiki
Greece
Distributor
EM Pharma
Old Dalby Business Park Old Dalby Leicestershire LE14 3NJ UK
This leaflet was last revised in 12/2015.
Aspire
1010306-P1.3 Pharma