Phenylephrine (Into the eye)

Introduction:

Phenylephrine (fen-il-EF-rin)

Treats uveitis and wide angle glaucoma. Also used during certain eye tests or procedures.

Brand Name(s):

Neofrin, Mydfrin, Altafrin, AK-Dilate, Prefrin Liquifilm

There may be other brand names for this medicine.

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

You should not receive this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to phenylephrine. You should not receive this medicine if you have narrow angle glaucoma or an aneurysms (a blood vessel problem). Do not give this medicine to an infant.

How to Use This Medicine:

Liquid

  • This medicine is given as eye drops into your eyes.
  • A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine.
  • Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to use and how often. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
  • Wash your hands with soap and water before and after using this medicine.
  • Lie down or tilt your head back. With your index finger, pull down the lower lid of your eye to form a pocket.
  • To use the eye drops: Hold the dropper close to your eye with the other hand. Drop the correct number of drops into the pocket made between your lower lid and eyeball. Gently close your eyes. Place your index finger over the inner corner of your eye for 1 minute. Do not rinse or wipe the dropper or allow it to touch anything, including your eye. Put the cap on the bottle right away. Keep the bottle upright when you are not using it.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:

  • Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
  • Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of the used medicine container and any leftover medicine after you have finished your treatment. You will also need to throw away old medicine after the expiration date has passed.
  • Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

  • Make sure your doctor knows if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as Elderyl®, Marplan®, Nardil® or Parnate® in the past 21 days.
  • Make sure your doctor knows if you are using beta blockers such as atenolol, labetolol, metoprolol, nadolol, propranolol, timolol, Inderal®, Toprol®, Blocadren®, Lopressor® or Tenormin®. Tell your doctor if you are using antidepressants such as amitriptyline, imipramine, nortripytline, doxepin, Norpramin®, or Vivactil®.
  • Make sure your doctor knows if you are using reserpine, guanethidine, methyldopa, atropine, dicyclomine (Bentyl®), glycopyrrolate (Robinul®), or scopolamine (Transderm Scop®). Tell your doctor if you receive medicines for anesthesia.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

  • Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breast feeding.
  • Make sure your doctor knows if you have heart disease, a history of heart rhythm problems, diabetes, glaucoma, high blood pressure, blood vessel disease, or thyroid disease.
  • This medicine should not be used in children without a doctor's approval.
  • If you hurt your eye, develop an eye infection, or need to have eye surgery, talk with your doctor right away. You may need to change your medicine or stop using it.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

  • Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing.
  • Chest pain or uneven heartbeat.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

  • Blurred vision, eye sensitivity to light.
  • Temporary eye irritation or burning.
  • Swelling, redness, or itching of the eyelids.
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