Before using lodoxamide eye drops

Before using lodoxamide eye drops make sure your doctor or pharmacist knows:

• if you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breast-feeding.
• if you wear soft contact lenses.
• if you have ever had an allergic reaction to this or to any other medicine.
• if you are taking or using any other medicines, including those available to buy without a prescription, herbal and complementary medicines.

How to use lodoxamide eye drops

1. Wash your hands well before use.
2. Shake the bottle, then remove the outer cap.
3. Tilt your head back and pull the lower lid of your eye out to form a pocket.
4. Hold the container upside down near to your eye. Try not to touch your eye as you do this.
5. Gently press on the bottom of the bottle to release one drop into your eye. If you think that the drop missed your eye then try again.
6. Close your eye for at least two minutes and press gently on the side of your nose where the corner of your eye meets your nose.
7. Repeat in your other eye if you have been told to use the drops in both eyes.
8. Replace the outer cap on the container. Try not to touch the applicator tip with anything, including your eye or fingers.
9. Wash your hands well after use.

Getting the most from your treatment

• Before starting this treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside the pack.
• Use lodoxamide eye drops exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. This is usually one to two drops in the affected eye(s) four times a day.
• You should notice an improvement in your symptoms within a few days, but longer treatment for up to 4 weeks is sometimes required.
• If your symptoms do not improve at all, or if they become worse, check with your doctor or pharmacist.
• If you are using any other eye drops or ointments, leave at least five minutes between each one.
• Try to use this preparation at regular intervals as directed by your doctor or pharmacist, and try not to miss any doses.
• Lodoxamide drops are not recommended for children under four years old.
• Do not wear soft contact lenses when using lodoxamide eye drops.
• Wait at least 15 minutes after use before putting your contact lenses back in. There is a preservative in lodoxamide drops that may cause eye irritation and discolouration of soft contact lenses.
• When first put in, lodoxamide eye drops may cause blurred vision.
• Make sure you can see clearly before you drive, operate machinery or do any other jobs which could be dangerous if you were unable to see properly.

Can lodoxamide eye drops cause problems?

Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. These usually improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side-effects continue or become troublesome.

Other side-effects that may occasionally occur include eyelid crusting, dry or red eyes, flushing, headache, dizziness, tiredness or a dry nose.

If you experience these or any other worrying or troublesome symptoms, which you think may be due to this medicine, speak with your pharmacist or doctor.

How to store lodoxamide eye drops

• Keep all medicines out of the reach and sight of children.
• Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light.
• Discard these eye drops four weeks after opening.

Important information about all medicines

References

• Manufacturer's PIL, Alomide® Allergy 0.1% eye drops, Alcon Laboratories (U.K) Limited, electronic Medicines Compendium. Dated October 2010
• British National Formulary; 62nd Edition (Sep 2011) British Medical Association and Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, London (link to current BNF)