Drugs List

Therapeutic Indications

Uses

Eye redness due to minor irritations : short-term symptomatic relief

Contraindications

Children under 12 years
Wearing of contact lenses
Acute iritis
Corneal damage
Glaucoma
Severe ocular disorder

Precautions and Warnings

Arteriosclerosis
Cardiovascular disorder
Diabetes mellitus
Hypertension
Hyperthyroidism

Do not use prior to peripheral iridectomy if predisposed to glaucoma
Advise patient blurred vision may affect ability to drive/operate machinery
Contains benzalkonium chloride
To reduce systemic absorption compress lacrimal sac during administration
Discontinue prior to anaesthetics which sensitise to sympathomimetics
Discontinue if irritation persists/worsens or continued redness occurs
Discontinue if patient develops decreased visual acuity +/or ocular pain
Advise patient to avoid touching the eye/other surfaces with container tip
Remove contact lenses before use and re-insert 15 minutes after use

Pregnancy and Lactation

Pregnancy

Naphazoline hydrochloride eye drops are considered safe for use in 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

Naphazoline hydrochloride eye drops are considered safe for use in breastfeeding.

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)
Dilatation of pupils

Presentation

Eye drops containing naphazoline hydrochloride (preservative containing)

Drugs List

Therapeutic Indications

Uses

Eye redness due to minor irritations : short-term symptomatic relief

Dosage

Adults

Children

Contraindications

Children under 12 years
Wearing of contact lenses
Acute iritis
Corneal damage
Glaucoma
Severe ocular disorder

Precautions and Warnings

Arteriosclerosis
Cardiovascular disorder
Diabetes mellitus
Hypertension
Hyperthyroidism

Do not use prior to peripheral iridectomy if predisposed to glaucoma
Advise patient blurred vision may affect ability to drive/operate machinery
Contains benzalkonium chloride
To reduce systemic absorption compress lacrimal sac during administration
Discontinue prior to anaesthetics which sensitise to sympathomimetics
Discontinue if irritation persists/worsens or continued redness occurs
Discontinue if patient develops decreased visual acuity +/or ocular pain
Advise patient to avoid touching the eye/other surfaces with container tip
Remove contact lenses before use and re-insert 15 minutes after use

Pregnancy and Lactation

Pregnancy

Naphazoline hydrochloride eye drops are considered safe for use in 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

Naphazoline hydrochloride eye drops are considered safe for use in breastfeeding.

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)
Dilatation of pupils

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: May 2017

Reference Sources

Summary of product characteristics: Murine irritation & redness relief 0.012% eye drops. Prestige brands (UK) Limited. Revised December 2016.