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Apraclonidine Ophthalmic

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Why is this medication prescribed?

Araclonidine 0.5% eye drops are used for the short-term treatment of glaucoma in patients who are taking other medications for the condition but still have elevated pressure in the eye. Glaucoma is a condition that can damage the optic nerve and result in vision loss and is typically brought on by increased pressure in the eye. When undergoing certain kinds of laser eye surgery, aracclonidine 1% eye drops are used to avoid or lessen increasing eye pressure. The drug apraclonidine belongs to the group of drugs known as alpha-2-adrenergic agonists. By reducing the volume of fluid produced inside the eye, it lessens the pressure there.

How should this medicine be used?

Apraclonidine is available as a 1% solution to inject into the eye as well as a 0.5% solution (liquid). Three times a day, the 0.5% solution is typically injected into the afflicted eye or eyes. Typically, the eye being treated receives the 1% solution 1 hour prior to the laser eye surgery and once more right away following the procedure. Use apraclonidine eye drops at around the same times each day if you use them frequently. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any instructions on your prescription label that you are unsure about following. As recommended, use apraclonidine eye drops only. Use these only as directed by your doctor, neither more nor less often.

Use of apraclonidine eye drops is restricted to the eye. Never ingest the eye drops.

After using araclonidine 0.5% eye drops for a while, often less than a month, it’s possible that they won’t keep your eye pressure under control. While you are using apraclonidine 0.5% eye drops, your doctor will check on you frequently to make sure they are still helping you.

Aproclonidine 0.5% eye drops serve to temporarily manage glaucoma but do not treat the disease. Even if you feel good, keep using apraclonidine 0.5% eye drops. Without consulting your physician, never stop using apraclonidine 0.5% eye drops.

Follow these steps to administer the eye drops:

  • Use soap and water to thoroughly wash your hands.
  • Make sure the dropper tip is not broken or chipped by inspecting it.
  • Eyedrops and droppers must be kept clean; avoid contacting the dropper tip to your eye or anything else.
  • Pull your lower eyelid down to create a pocket with your index finger while cocking your head back.
  • With your other hand, place the dropper as near to your eye as you can without touching it, tip down.
  • Place the hand’s remaining fingers to your face.
  • Squeeze the dropper gently while looking up so that a single drop falls into the lower eyelid’s pocket. Your index finger should be taken off the lower eyelid.
  • Tip your head down so that you are looking at the floor while closing your eyes for two to three minutes. Avoid blinking or squeezing your eyelids.
  • Give the tear duct a slight squeeze with your finger.
  • Use a tissue to remove any extra liquid from your face.
  • Wait at least 5 minutes before administering the subsequent drop if you need to use more than one in the same eye.
  • Replace and tighten the dropper bottle’s cap if you’re using the 0.5% eye drops. Never rinse or clean the dropper tip. For your second dose of the 1% eye drops, throw away the old bottle and use a new one.
  • To get rid of any medication, wash your hands.

Other uses for this medicine

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details if you believe this drug should be used for something else.

What special precautions should I follow?

Before using apraclonidine eye drops,

  • If you are allergic to apraclonidine, clonidine (Catapres, Catapres TTS, in Clorpres, Duraclon), or any other drugs, let your doctor and pharmacist know right once.
  • Inform your physician if you are currently using any monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, including tranylcypromine (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), and selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam) (Parnate). If you are currently using one of these medications or have recently quit taking one of these medications, your doctor may advise against using apraclonidine eye drops.
  • Inform your doctor and pharmacist about any additional prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, dietary supplements, and herbal products you are now taking or intend to use. Incorporate any of the following: antidepressants, particularly imipramine (Tofranil), amitriptyline (Elavil), amoxapine (Asendin), clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), doxepin (Adapin, Sinequan), protriptyline (Vivactil), and trimipramine (Surmontil); beta blockers like atenolol (Tenormin), betaxolol (Betoptic S), levobunolol (Betagan), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL), nadolol (Corgard), propranolol (Inderal), and timolol (Betimol, Timoptic); digoxin (Lanoxicaps, Lanoxin); other glaucoma; narcotic (opiate) pain relievers, sedatives, sleeping aids, tranquillizers, and drugs for anxiety, mental illness, or seizures. Your doctor might need to adjust the dosage of your drugs or keep a close eye on you for side effects.
  • If you are using other eye medications, use them at least 5 minutes prior to or following the application of apraclonidine eye drops.
  • A recent heart attack, depression, diabetes, high blood pressure, a stroke or ministroke, Raynaud’s disease (a condition that causes sudden tightening of the blood vessels in the fingers and toes), thromboangiitis obliterans (inflammation of the blood vessels in the arms and legs), fainting, or heart, liver, or kidney disease should all be disclosed to your doctor.
  • If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, let your doctor know. Call your doctor if you become pregnant while using apraclonidine eye drops.
  • Inform your doctor if you are nursing a baby. Your doctor will probably advise you not to breastfeed that day if you will be utilising apraclonidine 1% drops on the day of laser eye surgery.
  • Inform the surgeon or dentist that you are using apraclonidine eye drops if you are having surgery, including dental surgery.
  • You need to be aware that apraclonidine eye drops might cause you to feel sleepy. Prior to understanding how this drug affects you, avoid using machinery or driving a car.
  • As you use apraclonidine eye drops, consult your doctor about whether drinking alcohol is safe. The adverse effects of apraclonidine may be exacerbated by alcohol.
  • You should be aware that using apraclonidine eye drops may result in fainting, lightheadedness, and dizziness if you get out of a resting position too rapidly. Get out of bed gradually, resting your feet on the floor for a few minutes before standing up, to avoid this issue.

What special dietary instructions should I follow?

Keep eating normally unless your doctor instructs you otherwise.

What should I do if I forget a dose?

The missed dose should be administered as soon as you remember. If the next dose is soon due, skip the missed one and carry on with your regular dosing plan. To make up for a missing dose, do not provide more drops.

What side effects can this medication cause?

Side effects from apraclonidine eye drops are possible. If any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away, let your doctor know right once:

  • Eyes that are swollen, itching, red, or watery
  • Uneasy vision
  • Sensing something in the eye
  • Heartbeat that is irregular, sluggish, or hammering
  • Distorted vision
  • White eyes
  • Wet eyes
  • Widening eyes (dark circles in the centre of the eyes)
  • Elevated eyelids
  • Unusual lack of coordination
  • Not enough energy
  • Sleepiness
  • Having trouble falling or staying asleep
  • Strange dreams
  • Dizziness
  • Headache
  • Depression
  • Irritability
  • Having tingling, burning, or pain in your hands or feet
  • A modified sense of smell or taste
  • Mouth ache
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Abdominal pain
  • Constipation
  • Diarrhea
  • A burning or dry nose
  • Chest pain or discomfort
  • Skin sensitivity
  • Rash
  • Itching
  • Feel heated
  • Sweaty or clammy palms
  • Reduced sexual arousal

Some adverse effects can be very harmful. Call your doctor right away if any of these symptoms occur to you:

  • Fainting
  • Swelling of the lower legs, lower arms, feet, ankles, or face, eyes, arms, or hands
  • Breathing difficulty

Other negative effects of apraclonidine eye drops are possible. If you experience any strange issues while taking this medicine, contact your doctor right away.

You or your doctor can submit a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting programme online or by phone if you have a serious side event (1-800-332-1088).

What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication?

Keep this medication tightly closed in the original container and out of the reach of children. Store it away from light, excessive heat, and moisture at room temperature (not in the bathroom).

Unused prescriptions must be disposed of carefully to prevent pets, kids, and other people from ingesting them. You should not, however, dispose of this medication in the toilet. Instead, utilising a medicine take-back programme is the easiest approach to get rid of your medication. To find out about take-back programmes in your area, speak with your pharmacist or the garbage/recycling department in your city. If you do not have access to a take-back programme, see the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medicines website at http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for additional information.

As many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and are simple for young children to open, it is crucial to keep all medications out of sight and out of reach of children. Always lock safety caps and promptly stash medication up and away from young children where it is out of their sight and reach to prevent poisoning. http://www.upandaway.org

In case of emergency/overdose

Call your local poison control centre at 1-800-222-1222 if someone ingests apraclonidine eye drops. Dial 911 to reach the nearest emergency services if the sufferer has collapsed or has stopped breathing.

Overdose symptoms could include:

  • Slow heartbeat
  • Sleepiness
  • Chills

What other information should I know?

Keep all of your doctor’s appointments.

Do not share your medication with anybody else. Any queries you may have regarding medication refills should be directed to your pharmacist.

You should keep a written record of every medication you take, including any over-the-counter (OTC) items, prescription drugs, and dietary supplements like vitamins and minerals. This list should be brought with you whenever you see a doctor or are admitted to the hospital. You should always have this information with you in case of emergencies.

Brand names

  • Iopidine®
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