Oxymetazoline ophthalmic solution

What is this medicine?

Oxymetazoline (OX ee me TAZ oh leen) is an eye decongestant. This medicine is used to treat eye redness caused by minor irritations. This medicine will not treat an infection.

How should I use this medicine?

This medicine is only for use in the eye. Do not take by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Wash hands before and after use. Tilt your head back slightly and pull your lower eyelid down with your index finger to form a pouch. Try not to touch the tip of the dropper to your eye, fingertips, or any other surface. Squeeze the prescribed number of drops into the pouch. Close the eye for a few moments to spread the drops. Do not use your medicine more often than directed.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this drug may be prescribed for children as young as 6 years for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (Report these to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome.):

• changes in vision

• eye pain

What may interact with this medicine?

The medicine may interaction with the following medications:

• MAOIs like isocarboxazid, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, and tranylcypromine

• medicines to treat blood pressure and heart disease like ace-inhibitors, beta-blockers, calcium-channel blockers, digoxin, and diuretics

• medicines to treat enlarged prostate like alfuzosin, doxazosin, prazosin, and terazosin

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, use only that dose. Do not use double or extra doses.

Where should I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store at room temperature between 20 and 25 degrees C (68 and 77 degrees F). Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• diabetes

• glaucoma

• heart disease

• high or low blood pressure

• history of stroke

• Raynaud's phenomenon

• scleroderma

• Sjogren's syndrome

• thromboangiitis obliterans

• thyroid disease

• trouble urinating due to an enlarged prostate gland

• an unusual or allergic reaction to oxymetazoline, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

• pregnant or trying to get pregnant

• breast-feeding

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

Tell your doctor or health care professional if your symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse. Tell you doctor or health care professional right away if you have any change in your vision. Do not drive or use machinery until you know how this medicine affects you.

To prevent the spread of infection, do not share eye products with anyone else.

If you wear contact lenses, ask your doctor or health care professional when you can use your lenses again.