Naphazoline Hydrochloride, Ophthalmic

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: eye decongestant

Generic and brand names: naphazoline hydrochloride, ophthalmic; AK-Con Ophthalmic; Albalon Liquifilm Ophthalmic; Allerest Eye Drops; Clear Eyes; Clear Eyes ACR; Comfort Eye Drops; Maximum Strength Allergy Drops; Nafazair; Naphcon Ophthalmic; VasoClear; Vasocon Ophthalmic

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine, in the form of eyedrops, is used to relieve irritation or congestion and to treat eye allergies and inflammation.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• an allergic reaction to any medicine
• diabetes
• glaucoma (increased pressure in the eyes)
• heart problems
• high blood pressure
• thyroid problems
• trouble urinating or an enlarged prostate.

Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

How do I use it?

Use the medicine exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider. Do not use more drops or use them more often than prescribed.

Wash your hands thoroughly before applying medicines to your eyes. Tilt your head back, and gently pull your lower eyelid down to form a pouch. Hold the dropper directly above your eye, look up, and squeeze a drop of the medicine into the pouch. Close your eyes for a minute or two and with a fingertip press gently on the inside corner of your eye to keep the medicine from draining out. Do not rub your eyes.

To keep from contaminating the medicine, do not let the tip of the dropper touch your eye or any other surface. Do not rinse the dropper. After use, put the cap on tightly. Do not use the medicine if it becomes discolored or cloudy

If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and use the next one as directed. Do not use double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.

What should I watch out for?

If your eyes do not get better in a few days or if they get worse, contact your healthcare provider.

Do not use this medicine for other eye conditions without your healthcare provider's approval. Do not share eye medicines with others.

If you wear contact lenses, ask your healthcare provider if you can continue to wear them while you are using this medicine.

If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.

Do not use this medicine in the eyes of infants or children without your healthcare provider's approval.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Severe eye pain; chest pain; sensitivity to light; floating spots in the eyes; blurred vision; tremor; sweating; unexplained weakness; rapid or slow heart beat; dizziness; nausea; headache; decrease in body temperature; increased redness, irritation, or swelling of the eyes.

Other: Stinging or tearing when you put in the drops, sneezing.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• MAO inhibitor antidepressants such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), and tranylcypromine (Parnate) (Do not take an MAO inhibitor and this medicine within 14 days of each other.)
• tricyclic antidepressants, such as amitriptyline, nortriptyline (Aventyl, Pamelor), imipramine (Tofranil), and doxepin (Sinequan).

Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, nonprescription, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins) with you. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.