Apraclonidine (Ophthalmic)

Brand Names : Iopidine, aplonidine, p-aminoclonidine

Proper Use of This Medicine

If your doctor ordered two different eye drops to be used together, wait at least 10 minutes between the times you apply the medicines. This will help to keep the second medicine from ''washing out'" the first one.

To use the eye drops :

• First, wash your hands. Tilt the head back and, pressing your finger gently on the skin just beneath the lower eyelid, pull the lower eyelid away from the eye to make a space. Drop the medicine into this space. Let go of the eyelid and gently close the eyes. Do not blink. Keep the eyes closed and apply pressure to the inner corner of the eye with your finger for 1 or 2 minutes to allow the medicine to be absorbed by the eye.
• If you think you did not get the drop of medicine into your eye properly, use another drop.
• To keep the medicine as germ-free as possible, do not touch the applicator tip to any surface (including the eye). Also, keep the container tightly closed.

Use this medicine only as directed . Do not use more of it and do not use it more often than your doctor ordered. To do so may increase the chance of too much medicine being absorbed into the body and the chance of side effects.

It is important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits . This is to make sure the medicine is working properly.

Dosing - The dose of ophthalmic apraclonidine will be different for different patients. Follow the doctor's orders or the directions on the label . The following information includes only the average doses of ophthalmic apraclonidine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

• For ophthalmic solution (eye drops) dosage form:
  • For glaucoma (0.5% apraclonidine):
    • Adults - Use one drop in each eye two or three times a day.
    • Children - Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  • For preventing ocular hypertension before and after eye surgery (1% apraclonidine):
    • Adults - One drop is placed in the affected eye one hour before surgery, then one drop in the same eye immediately after surgery.
    • Children - Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed dose - If you are using this medicine regularly and you miss a dose, use it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage - To store this medicine:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• The 0.5% eye drops may be stored in the refrigerator. However, keep the medicine from freezing.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.