O General Information and Indications:
Azelastine is used to relieve the
itching of allergic pink eye. Azelastine is in a class of medications called
antihistamines. It works by blocking histamine, a substance in the body that
causes allergic symptoms.
O Information For Users:
Azelastine comes as an eyedrop to apply to the
eye. It is usually applied to the affected eye(s) twice a day. To help you
remember to use azelastine, use it around the same time every day. Follow
the directions on your prescription label, ask your doctor or pharmacist If
you have any questions. Use azelastine exactly as directed. Do not use more
or less of it or use it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
To apply the eyedrops, follow these steps:
o Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
o Use a mirror or have someone else put the drops in your eye.
o Remove the protective cap. Make sure the end of the dropper is not chipped
or cracked.
o Avoid touching the dropper against your eye or anything else.
o Hold the dropper tip down at all times to prevent drops from flowing back
into the bottle and contaminating the remaining contents.
o Lie down or tilt your head back.
o Holding the bottle between your thumb and index finger, place the dropper
as near as possible to your eyelid without touching it.
o Brace the remaining fingers of that hand against your cheek or nose.
o With the index finger of your other hand, pull the lower lid of the eye
down to form a pocket.
o Drop the prescribed number of drops into the pocket made by the lower lid
and the eye. Placing the drops on the surface of the eyeball can cause
stinging.
o Close your eye and press lightly against the lower lid with your finger
for 2-3 minutes to keep the medication in the eye. Do not blink.
o Replace and tighten the cap right away. Do not wipe or rinse it off.
o Wipe off any excess liquid from your cheek with a clean tissue. Wash your
hands again.
O Special
precautions:
o Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have
allergy to azelastine or any other medications.
o Inform your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription
medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are
taking.
o Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are
breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while using azelastine, call your
doctor.
o you should know that you should not wear contact lenses if your eye(s)
is/are red. If your eye is not red and you wear contact lenses, you should
know that azelastine solution contains benzalkonium chloride, which can be
absorbed by soft contact lenses. Remove your contact lenses before applying
azelastine and put them back in 10 minutes later.
O
Possible Adverse
Effects:
Azelastine may cause adverse effects. Inform
your doctor if any of the following symptoms are severe or do not go away:
o eye burning or stinging
o headaches
o bitter taste
o eye pain
o blurred vision (Impaired vision)
o extreme tiredness (fatigue)
o sore throat
Some adverse effects could be serious. The following symptom is uncommon,
but if you experience it, call your doctor without delay:
o difficulty breathing
O Brand Name(s):
o Astelin® Nasal Spray
o Optivar® |
