patient information leaflet isotopo alkaline

Patient Information Leaflet

ISOPTO® ALKALINE

(Hypromellose)

EYE DROPS, SOLUTION

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT ISOPTO® ALKALINE

Please read this leaflet carefully before you start to take your medicine. This leaflet provides a summary of the information available on your medicine.

For further information or advice ask your doctor or pharmacist.

WHAT IS IN ISOPTO ALKALINE?

The name of this medicine is Isopto Alkaline. It is a sterile ophthalmic solution containing a substance called hypromellose which acts as an artificial tear to lubricate your eye.

Isopto Alkaline is supplied in a 10 ml bottle containing 10 mg of hypromellose in every ml of solution. It also contains 0.1 mg of Benzalkonium chloride in each ml of solution as a preservative.

Other ingredients include Sodium citrate, Sodium Phosphate, Sodium biphosphate, Sodium chloride and Purified water.

HOW ISOPTO ALKALINE WORKS?

If your doctor or pharmacist has prescribed this medicine for you to use then you will be suffering from dry eyes or eye irritation due to lack of tears in your eyes.

Isopto Alkaline contains a substance called hypromellose which makes the medicine slightly thicker than water and allows the medicine to lubricate your eye and act like an artificial tear, relieving the irritation in your eye.

BEFORE USING ISOPTO ALKALINE

In some circumstances this medicine may not be suitable for you, so :

If you are pregnant or intending to become pregnant.
If you are breastfeeding a baby.
If you have ever had to stop taking a medicine because you were allergic to it or any ingredient present in a medicine.

INFORM YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE STARTING TO TAKE THIS MEDICINE

If the irritation in your eye does not get better, if it gets worse or you start to experience headache, eye pain, vision changes or continued redness in your eye then you may require treatment with other medicines. Stop using this medicine and see your doctor.
You must not wear soft contact lenses whilst using this medicine.
You may experience temporary blurred vision when using this medicine. Do not drive or operate hazardous machinery unless your vision is clear.

USING ISOPTO ALKALINE

Isopto Alkaline is packaged in a container specially designed for ease of use. This Drop-Tainer® contains 10 ml of Isopto Alkaline. Follow the instructions in the section of this leaflet titled "How to use Isopto Alkaline" for the correct use of this medicine.

To prevent contamination of your medicine do not allow the dropper to touch your eye or any other surface.

DOSE

The recommended dose and frequency of treatment is one or two drops in each affected eye three times daily or as specified by your doctor or pharmacist.

This medicine is suitable for use in both adults and children.

HOW TO USE ISOPTO® ALKALINE

By following the 10 steps listed below you will ensure that Isopto Alkaline is being used correctly and to the best effect.

	1.Wash your hands before using Isopto Alkaline.
	2.Sit down in front of a mirror so that you can see what you are doing.
	3.Remove the cap from the bottle.
	4.Make sure the dropper tip does not touch anything as this may contaminate the contents.
	5.Hold the bottle upside down in one hand between your thumb and middle finger.
	6.Using the forefinger of your other hand gently pull down the lower eyelid of the affected eye.
	7.Place the dropper bottle tip close to, but not touching, your eye and gently tap the base of the bottle with your forefinger so that one or two drops, as directed, fall into the gap between the eye and the lower lid.
	8.Now release the lower eyelid, and blink a few times to make sure the whole of the eye is covered by the liquid.
	9.Repeat steps 5 to 8, above, for the other eye, if necessary.
	10.Replace and tightly close the cap on the dropper bottle.

AFTER USING ISOPTO ALKALINE

You may experience mild stinging in your eye or blurred vision. This will not last for long, if it does then stop using the medicine and see your doctor or pharmacist.

If you experience any other reactions after using Isopto Alkaline then tell your doctor or pharmacist and follow his advice.

STORING ISOPTO ALKALINE

Keep Isopto Alkaline in a safe place out of the reach and sight of children.
Keep the container tightly closed and do not store above 25°C, do not store in a refrigerator.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date shown as "EXP" on the label and carton.
This medicine must be discarded one month after opening.

FURTHER INFORMATION

This leaflet does not contain all the information about your medicine. If you have any questions or are not sure about anything then you should ask your doctor or the pharmacist.

Please keep this leaflet in a safe place, preferably with your medicine as you may wish to read it again. Do not throw it away until you have finished your medicine.

Medicine: isotopo alkaline