What is Naphazoline Zinc Ophthalmic?
Naphazoline is a vasoconstrictor. It works by narrowing swollen blood vessels in the eyes to reduce eye redness.
Zinc is a mineral that is used in this medication as an astringent to gently clear proteins and mucus from the outer surface of the eye.
The combination of naphazoline and zinc ophthalmic is used for temporary relief of minor eye irritation such as redness, dryness, or burning. This medication is also used to clear mucus build-up on the outer surface of the eye caused by dust, pollen, or smoke.
Naphazoline and zinc ophthalmic may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about Naphazoline Zinc Ophthalmic?
Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have glaucoma, heart disease, high blood pressure, or a thyroid disorder.
Naphazoline and zinc ophthalmic should be used for only 2 or 3 days at a time. Stop using the medication and call your doctor if your eye condition does not improve within 72 hours of use.
Do not allow the dropper tip to touch any surface, including the eyes or hands. If the dropper becomes contaminated it could cause an infection in your eye, which can lead to vision loss or serious damage to the eye.
Stop using this medication and call your doctor if you have ongoing or worsening eye redness, eye pain, changes in your vision, chest pain, fast or uneven heart rate, severe headache, buzzing in your ears, anxiety, confusion, or feeling short of breath.
Do not use this medication while you are wearing contact lenses. Naphazoline and zinc ophthalmic may contain a preservative that can be absorbed by soft contact lenses and cause discoloration. Wait at least 15 minutes after using naphazoline and zinc ophthalmic before putting your contact lenses in.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Naphazoline Zinc Ophthalmic?
Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:
- glaucoma
- heart disease, high blood pressure; or
- a thyroid disorder
If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use this medication, or you may need a dose adjustment or special tests during treatment.
FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether naphazoline and zinc ophthalmic passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use naphazoline and zinc ophthalmic without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Naphazoline Zinc Ophthalmic Side Effects
What are the possible side effects of Naphazoline Zinc Ophthalmic?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using naphazoline and zinc ophthalmic and call your doctor if you have a serious side effect such as:
- ongoing or worsening eye redness
- eye pain
- changes in your vision
- chest pain, fast or uneven heart rate; or
- severe headache, buzzing in your ears, anxiety, confusion, or feeling short of breath
Less serious side effects may include:
- burning, stinging, pain, or increased redness of the eye
- blurred vision, watery eyes
- headache
- tremor
- nausea
- sweating
- nervousness
- dizziness; or
- drowsiness
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Naphazoline Zinc Ophthalmic Interactions
What other drugs affect Naphazoline Zinc Ophthalmic?
It is not likely that other drugs you take orally or inject will have an effect on topically applied naphazoline and zinc ophthalmic. But many drugs can interact with each other. Before using naphazoline and zinc ophthalmic, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:
- an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate); or
- a beta-blocker such as acebutolol (Sectral), atenolol (Tenormin), betaxolol (Kerlone), bisoprolol (Zebeta), carteolol (Cartrol), carvedilol (Coreg), esmolol (Brevibloc), labetalol (Normodyne, Trandate), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol), nadolol (Corgard), penbutolol (Levatol), pindolol (Visken), propranolol (Inderal, InnoPran), sotalol (Betapace), or timolol (Blocadren)
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with naphazoline and zinc ophthalmic. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.
What should I avoid while taking Naphazoline Zinc Ophthalmic?
Do not use this medication while you are wearing contact lenses. Naphazoline and zinc ophthalmic may contain a preservative that can be absorbed by soft contact lenses and cause discoloration. Wait at least 15 minutes after using naphazoline and zinc ophthalmic before putting your contact lenses in.
Do not use other eye medications at the same time you use naphazoline and zinc ophthalmic unless your doctor has told you to.
Naphazoline Zinc Ophthalmic Dosage
How should I take Naphazoline Zinc Ophthalmic?
Use this medication exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use it in larger amounts or for longer than recommended.
Using naphazoline and zinc more often than recommended or for longer than 72 hours may increase eye redness and could damage the blood vessels in your eyes.
Wash your hands before using the eye drops.
To apply the eye drops:
- Tilt your head back slightly and pull down your lower eyelid. Hold the dropper above the eye with the dropper tip down. Look up and away from the dropper as you squeeze out a drop, then close your eye
- Gently press your finger to the inside corner of the eye (near your nose) for about 1 minute to keep the liquid from draining into your tear duct. The usual dose of this medication is 1 or 2 drops in each affected eye up to 4 times a day
- Do not allow the dropper tip to touch any surface, including the eyes or hands. If the dropper becomes contaminated it could cause an infection in your eye, which can lead to vision loss or serious damage to the eye
- Naphazoline and zinc ophthalmic should be used for only 2 or 3 days at a time. Stop using the medication and call your doctor if your eye condition does not improve within 72 hours of use
Do not use the eye drops if the liquid has changed colors or has particles in it. Call your doctor for a new prescription.
Store the drops at room temperature away from heat and moisture. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.
What happens if I overdose on Naphazoline Zinc Ophthalmic?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.
An overdose of naphazoline and zinc ophthalmic is not likely to cause life-threatening symptoms. However, using the medication too long or too often may worsen your symptoms and cause damage to the blood vessels in your eyes.
What happens if I miss a dose of Naphazoline Zinc Ophthalmic?
Since naphazoline and zinc ophthalmic is used as needed, it is not likely that you will be on a dosing schedule. Do not use extra medicine to make up a missed dose.
Sourced from everydayhealth.com