Ocuflox

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NOTICE: This Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) is intended for persons living in Australia.

(ofloxacin 3 mg/mL)

Consumer Medicine Information

What is in this leaflet

This leaflet answers some common questions about OCUFLOX^®eye drops. It does not contain all the available information. It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.

All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor has weighed the risks of you using OCUFLOX^®eye drops against the benefits they expect it will have for you.

If you have any concerns about using this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Keep this leaflet with the medicine. You may need to read it again.

What OCUFLOX^® eye drops are used for

OCUFLOX^®eye drops contain the drug ofloxacin and are used to treat certain eye infections.

OCUFLOX^® eye drops act by killing a wide range of bacteria that cause certain eye infections such as conjunctivitis (inflamed eyes) and corneal ulcers (infection on the surface of the eye).Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why OCUFLOX^® eye drops have been prescribed for you.

Before you use OCUFLOX^® eye drops

When you must not use it

Do not use OCUFLOX^®eye drops if:

you have an allergy to ofloxacin or any of the ingredients listed

when wearing soft contact lenses

the packaging shows any signs of tampering

4 weeks after opening them

the expiry date on the carton and bottle has passed

if you use this medicine after the expiry date has passed, it may not work effectively

the seal around the cap is broken.

These drops are for topical use only.

Before you start to use it

Tell your doctor if:

you have had an allergy to any medicines or any other substances, such as foods, preservatives or dyes

you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant

you are breast-feeding or intend to breast-feed

you have an allergy to antibiotics

you wear contact lenses

you are taking other medicines, including any you have bought at you pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.

Do not put OCUFLOX^® eye drops into your eye(s) while you are wearing soft contact lenses. The preservative in OCUFLOX^® eye drops (benzalkonium chloride) may be deposited in soft contact lenses. You can put your soft contact lenses back into your eyes 15 minutes after you have used OCUFLOX^® eye drops.

Avoid allowing the tip of the dispensing container to contact the eye or surrounding structures to avoid eye injury and contamination of eye drops.

Taking other medicines

Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, including any that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.

It is not expected that OCUFLOX^®will interact with other medicines, however you should always ask your optical practitioner, doctor or pharmacist if you have any concerns about using OCUFLOX^®eye drops as well as other medications.

How to use OCUFLOX^® eye drops

How much to use

Your doctor will tell you how many drops you need to use each day. Use OCUFLOX^®eye drops only as prescribed by your doctor.

Conjunctivitis:

The usual dosage of eye drops is one drop in the eye(s) every four hours for the first two days, then one drop every six hours for up to eight days. Do not stop using OCUFLOX^® eye drops even if you feel well unless instructed by your doctor. You should not normally use these drops for this complaint for more than 10 days without checking with your doctor.

Corneal Ulcer:

The usual dosage of eye drops is one drop in the eye(s) every 30 minutes (while awake) for the first two days, then one drop every hour for the next four days. Then put one drop in the eye(s) four times daily until your doctor tells you to stop. Your eye(s) will usually be completely healed within 21 days. Do not stop using OCUFLOX^® eye drops even if you feel well unless instructed by your doctor.

How to use it

Open the eye(s) needing the drops, tilt your head back and look upward

Gently pull down the lower eyelid

Bring the eye drops near the eye and squeeze one drop into the eye

Avoid touching the eye, eyelids or lashes with the dropper

Close your eyes and blink; this helps distribute the drops in the eye chamber

While your eyes are closed, gently press your fingers on the inner corner(s) of your eye(s)

Wipe any excess away with a clean tissue

Replace cap on the dropper bottle.

How long to use it

Continue using OCUFLOX^®eye drops for as long as your doctor prescribes.

If you forget to use it

If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and use your next dose when you are meant to. Otherwise, use the drops as soon as you remember, and then go back to using them as you would normally.

If you are not sure whether to skip the dose, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Do not use double the amount to make up for the dose that you missed.

If you use too much) (overdose)

If you accidentally put several drops in your eye(s), immediately rinse your eye(s) with warm water.

If you think that you or anyone else may have swallowed any or all of the contents of OCUFLOX^® eye drops, immediately telephone your doctor or Poisons Information Centre 24 hours on 13 11 26 (Australia) for advice, or go to casualty at your nearest hospital. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.

If you have used too many OCUFLOX^® eye drops you may have burning, stinging, tearing, itching and pain of the eye(s) (see below ‘Side effects’). The eye(s) should be flushed with water or saline solution. If you have questions or concerns, or are not sure about something, please consult your doctor or pharmacist.

While you are using OCUFLOX^® eye drops

Things you must do

If you develop an eye infection, receive an eye injury, or have eye surgery tell your doctor.

If you become pregnant while using OCUFLOX^® eye drops tell your doctor immediately.

If you wear soft contact lenses, remove them before using OCUFLOX^® eye drops. Leave your lenses out for at least 15 minutes after putting in the eye drops.

Tell your doctor if your condition gets worse or does not get better while using OCUFLOX^® eye drops.

If you are about to start any new medicine tell your doctor and pharmacist that you are using OCUFLOX® eye drops.

Things you must not do

Do not give OCUFLOX^® eye drops to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as you.

Do not stop using OCUFLOX^® eye drops without first talking to your doctor.

Things to be careful of

Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are using OCUFLOX^® eye drops.

Keep enough eye drops to last weekends and holidays.

Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how OCUFLOX^® eye drops affect you.

When using OCUFLOX^® eye drops avoid direct exposure to sunlight or artificial ultraviolet light.

OCUFLOX^®eye drops should not be recommended for use in children under the age of 12 years.

Side effects

All medicines can have side effects. Sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are not. Some patients may experience unwanted effects during OCUFLOX^® treatment. You may need medical treatment if you get some of the side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.

If while undergoing treatment with OCUFLOX^® eye drops you experience any side-effects or symptoms which may be due to this medication (whether or not it is mentioned below) please inform your Doctor or Pharmacist as early as possible.

Things which may occur:

Burning, stinging, tearing and itching of the eyes, feeling something in the eye, inability to tolerate bright light, blurred vision, red and inflamed eyes, swelling around the eyes, mouth, pharynx, under the skin, watery eye, itchy eye/eyelid, skin rash or hives, dry eyes, pain in the eye, shortness of breath or dizziness.

After using OCUFLOX^® eye drops

Storage

Keep your OCUFLOX^®eye drops in a cool place where the temperature stays below 25C.

Keep the medicine where children cannot reach it.

OCUFLOX^®eye drops should be protected from light and excess heat.

Do not put the eye drops in the freezer.

Any open unused OCUFLOX^® eye drops should be thrown out after 4 weeks of use or returned to your pharmacist.

Disposal

If your doctor tells you to stop using the eye drops or they have passed their expiry date, ask your pharmacist what to do with any remaining bottles.