Drugs List

Therapeutic Indications

Uses

Dry eye syndrome

Contraindications

Children under 18 years

Precautions and Warnings

Wearing of contact lenses
Breastfeeding
Pregnancy

Advise patient blurred vision may affect ability to drive/operate machinery
Contains benzalkonium chloride - may cause keratopathy
Administer concomitant ocular medication 15 minutes prior to instillation
To reduce systemic absorption compress lacrimal sac during administration
Advise patient not to re-insert contact lenses for 30 mins post-treatment
Advise patient to avoid touching the eye/other surfaces with container tip
Advise patient to consult a doctor if symptoms persist despite treatment

Pregnancy and Lactation

Pregnancy

Use carbomer 974P with caution in pregnancy.

At the time of writing there is limited published information regarding the use of carbomer 947P during pregnancy.

Schaefer (2015) advises that generally eye drops may be used for all appropriate indications during pregnancy.

The use of all medication in pregnancy should be avoided whenever possible; particularly in the first trimester. Non-drug treatments should also be considered. When essential, a medication with the best safety record over time should be chosen, employing the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible time. Polypharmacy should be avoided. Teratogens taken in the pre-embryonic period, often quoted as lasting until 14 to 17 days post-conception, are believed to have an all-or-nothing effect. Where drugs have a short half-life, and when the date of conception is certain, this may allow women to be reassured where drug exposure has occurred within this time frame. Further advice may be available from the UK National Teratology Information Service (NTIS) and through ToxBase, available via password on the internet ( www.toxbase.org ) or if this is unavailable at the backup site ( www.toxbasebackup.org ).

Lactation

Use carbomer 974P with caution in breastfeeding.

At the time of writing there is limited published information regarding the safety of carbomer 947P in breastfeeding.

Schaefer (2015) considers that most eye drops are compatible with breastfeeding as, due to the pharmacokinetic considerations, toxic effects for the breastfed baby are unlikely.

Neonates, infants born prematurely, those with low birth weight, those with an unstable gastrointestinal function or who have serious illnesses may require special consideration. For any infant, if a drug is prescribed to the nursing mother, it should be at the lowest practical dose and for the shortest time. When drug administration is unavoidable and breastfeeding is to continue, minimisation of exposure of the infant to the drug may sometimes be achieved by timing the maternal doses to just after a feeding episode. Infants exposed to drugs via breast milk should be monitored for unusual signs or symptoms. Interactions between the drug received by the infant from the mother's milk and medication prescribed for the infant should also be considered, for example, when the drug given to the infant may prevent metabolism of the drug received via breast milk.
Specialist advice is available from the UK Drugs in Lactation Advisory Service at https://www.midlandsmedicines.nhs.uk/content.asp?section=6&subsection=17&pageIdx=1

Side Effects

Blurred vision (transient)
Burning sensation
Stinging

Presentation

Eye gel containing Carbomer 974P

Drugs List

Therapeutic Indications

Uses

Dry eye syndrome

Dosage

Adults

Elderly

Contraindications

Children under 18 years

Precautions and Warnings

Wearing of contact lenses
Breastfeeding
Pregnancy

Advise patient blurred vision may affect ability to drive/operate machinery
Contains benzalkonium chloride - may cause keratopathy
Administer concomitant ocular medication 15 minutes prior to instillation
To reduce systemic absorption compress lacrimal sac during administration
Advise patient not to re-insert contact lenses for 30 mins post-treatment
Advise patient to avoid touching the eye/other surfaces with container tip
Advise patient to consult a doctor if symptoms persist despite treatment

Pregnancy and Lactation

Pregnancy

Use carbomer 974P with caution in pregnancy.

At the time of writing there is limited published information regarding the use of carbomer 947P during pregnancy.

Schaefer (2015) advises that generally eye drops may be used for all appropriate indications during pregnancy.

The use of all medication in pregnancy should be avoided whenever possible; particularly in the first trimester. Non-drug treatments should also be considered. When essential, a medication with the best safety record over time should be chosen, employing the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible time. Polypharmacy should be avoided. Teratogens taken in the pre-embryonic period, often quoted as lasting until 14 to 17 days post-conception, are believed to have an all-or-nothing effect. Where drugs have a short half-life, and when the date of conception is certain, this may allow women to be reassured where drug exposure has occurred within this time frame. Further advice may be available from the UK National Teratology Information Service (NTIS) and through ToxBase, available via password on the internet ( www.toxbase.org ) or if this is unavailable at the backup site ( www.toxbasebackup.org ).

Lactation

Use carbomer 974P with caution in breastfeeding.

At the time of writing there is limited published information regarding the safety of carbomer 947P in breastfeeding.

Schaefer (2015) considers that most eye drops are compatible with breastfeeding as, due to the pharmacokinetic considerations, toxic effects for the breastfed baby are unlikely.

Neonates, infants born prematurely, those with low birth weight, those with an unstable gastrointestinal function or who have serious illnesses may require special consideration. For any infant, if a drug is prescribed to the nursing mother, it should be at the lowest practical dose and for the shortest time. When drug administration is unavoidable and breastfeeding is to continue, minimisation of exposure of the infant to the drug may sometimes be achieved by timing the maternal doses to just after a feeding episode. Infants exposed to drugs via breast milk should be monitored for unusual signs or symptoms. Interactions between the drug received by the infant from the mother's milk and medication prescribed for the infant should also be considered, for example, when the drug given to the infant may prevent metabolism of the drug received via breast milk.
Specialist advice is available from the UK Drugs in Lactation Advisory Service at https://www.midlandsmedicines.nhs.uk/content.asp?section=6&subsection=17&pageIdx=1

Side Effects

Blurred vision (transient)
Burning sensation
Stinging

Overdosage

It is strongly recommended that the UK National Poisons Information Service be consulted on cases of suspected or actual overdose where there is doubt over the degree of risk or about appropriate management.

The following number will direct the caller to the relevant local centre (0844) 892 0111

Information may be obtained if you have access to ToxBase the primary clinical toxicology database of the National Poisons Information Service. This is available via password on the internet ( www.toxbase.org ) or if this is unavailable at the backup site ( www.toxbasebackup.org ).

Further Information

Last Full Review Date: March 2017

Reference Sources

Drugs During Pregnancy and Lactation: Treatment Options and Risk Assessment, 3rd edition (2015) ed. Schaefer, C., Peters, P. and Miller, R. Elsevier, London.

Summary of Product Characteristics: Liquivisc. Thea Pharmaceuticals Ltd. Revised June 2015.