Optrex Infected Eye Ointment

bacterial conjunctivitis. When you have acute bacterial conjunctivitis the white part of one or both of your eyes will i be red and /or your eyelids will be red or swollen. There will be a sticky discharge, which can make the eye difficult | [to open in the morning and the eye may feel ‘gritty’ or ‘irritated’. Chloramphenicol eye ointment is not suitable for i treating eye infections that have spread to the deeper layers of the eye coverings or into the fluid within the eyeball.| Antibiotic tablets or injections are needed to treat these deeper and more serious infections. i

pefore using your medicine i

Boots Pharmacy Antibiotic Eye Ointment is recommended for use in adults, children aged 2 years and over and the [ [elderly. It is recommended that a child below the age of 2 years with an eye infection should be seen by a doctor, i ilf you or any members of your family have ever had problems with your bone marrow making blood cells, you [

[should not use the eye ointment. i

po not use this product if: '

' • You are allergic to chloramphenicol or any of the ingredients shown under ‘What is in the pack?’ [

[ • You have ever had problems with your blood On particular very low numbers of blood cells) during a previous '

i course of treatment with chloramphenicol [

[ • You or your family have a history of blood problems. i

)f any of the following statements apply to you, do not use this product and seek the advice of your doctor: ¹

¹ • Your eyesight is affected floss of sight, reduced vision, blurred vision or halos around lights) I

[ • You are experiencing pain within the eye ¹

¹ • Your eye has suffered a blow or other injury [

[ • Your eye is inflamed and you have a rash on the scalp or face ¹

' •Thepupilofyoureyelooksunusualoryoureyelookscloudy [

[ • If your eyes are sensitive to light ¹

' • You have (or think you have) a foreign body in your eye which has not been removed [ • You have recently had an eye infection '

i • You suffer from or have ever suffered from glaucoma or dry eye syndrome [

[ • You are currently using any other eye ointment or eye drops '

i • You have had eye surgery or laser treatment in the last 6 months. x

'If you wear contact lenses, seek advice either from your optometrist, contact lens practitioner or doctor before § ^u use this product. You should not wear your contact lenses during the course of treatment. If you wear soft g

contact lenses_do not start wearing them for_at least_24 hours after you have finished using the eye ointment. _ _ <3

iYou must tell your pharmacist before using the product If the answer to any of the following questions is YES.

Are you pregnant, or planning to become pregnant?

Are you breastfeeding?

Are you taking any other medicines?

|Do you suffer from any other eye problems?

After using this ointment you may temporarily get blurred vision. Do not drive or operate machinery until your vision is clear.

'If in doubt, talk to your pharmacist or doctor.

Mow to use your medicine

ifo be used in the eye(s) only.

Check the tube seal is not broken before first using the eye ointment, jl. Wash and dry your hands.

12. Remove the cap. Take special care that the nozzle of the tube does ' not touch your eye, the skin around your eye or your fingers.

3. Use a mirror, this will help you see what you are doing.

4. Place the nozzle of the tube close to your eye. Gently pull the lower eyelid downwards and look up.

|S. Squeeze the tube gently and apply about 1 cm of ointment to the space between the lower eyelid and the eye. 6. Close your eye for a moment.

When both eyes are to be treated, repeat steps 3-6.

Replace the cap securely after use.

The aose is a small amount of ointment (approx 1 cm) to be applied to the affected eye(s).

| • If you are using drops during the day and the ointment at night - apply the ointment at night, before going to i bed. The course of treatment is 5 days.

! • If you are using just the ointment - apply 3 to 4 times a day. The course of treatment is 5 days. iYour pharmacist will advise which is the most suitable treatment for you.

You should consult your doctor if symptoms do not improve within 48 hours.

[You should seek further immediate medical advice at any time if symptoms worsen.

iDo not use Boots Pharmacy Antibiotic Eye Ointment for more than 5 days without consulting your doctor.

| • Do not breathe on or touch the nozzle of the tube, i • Do not touch the eyes or eyelids with the nozzle of the tube.

' • Do not share your eye ointment with anyone else.

| • Keep using this eye ointment for 5 days. Do not stop just because you feel better - this could make your i condition worse.

| • Discard any remaining eye ointment after the 5 day course of treatment.

[Boots Pharmacy Antibiotic Eye Ointment is for external use only.

If you forget to use your ointment:

'Have you only just missed a dose and is it a long time before the next dose is due?

[if YES, put in the missed dose of ointment straight away.

Did you miss the dose sometime ago and is it nearly time for your N EXT dose?

[If YES, just put in the next dose of ointment at the right time.

Never double up on the next dose to make up for the one you have missed.

After using your eye ointment

Some people may get one or more of these side effects. Some effects happen straight away but do not last long -[others may only happen after several days of use.

i • blurred vision, or mild burning or stinging when you put the ointment in (these should fade quickly)

[ • allergic effects such as itching, or rashes (get medical help straight away if you get a severe reaction with i swelling or breathing problems)

' • changes in the blood (anaemia) leading to severe tiredness or easy bruising.

[if you do not feel well, or are worried about your health, talk to a pharmacist or doctor.

[Storing your medicine

'Replace the cap securely after use.

[Do not store above 25°C.

keep this and all medicines out of the sight and reach of children.

'If your doctor tells you to stop treatment, return any left over ointment to your pharmacist.

[Do not use after the ‘use by’ date shown on the carton and end of the tube.

[Remember - this medicine is for YOU. Never give it to other people - it may harm them, even if their symptoms appear to be the same.

[If you have any questions or are not sure about anything, ask your pharmacist or doctor. They can obtain additional information about this medicine if necessary.

'Leaflet prepared August 2007