Patient Medication Information: uses, side effects, how to take - Livostin Eye Drops
ABOUT THIS MEDICATION
What the medication is used for:
Your doctor has prescribed LIVOSTIN* eye drops for the temporary relief of the signs and symptoms of seasonal allergic conjunctivitis (red itchy eyes) in adults and children (12 to 65 years old).
What it does:
When LIVOSTIN* is instilled into your eye, it helps reduce the symptoms associated with allergies such as redness and itching of your eyes.
LIVOSTIN* blocks the action of histamine and relieves allergy symptoms. Histamine is a chemical released by the immune system
- the body’s defence against invading substances - when the body is affected by substances that you are allergic to (allergens).
When it should not be used:
Do not use LIVOSTIN* if you are allergic to it or to any of the non-medicinal ingredients (see What the nonmedicinal ingredients are). If you are not sure, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
What the medicinal ingredient is:
Levocabastine hydrochloride
What the non-medicinal ingredients are:
Benzalkonium chloride, disodium edetate, disodium phosphate, hypromellose, monosodium phosphate, polysorbate 80, propylene glycol and water for injection.
What dosage forms it comes in:
LIVOSTIN is in the form of eye drops containing 0.5 mg/mL levocabastine. It comes in bottles containing 10 or 15 mL.
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
DO NOT wear soft contact lenses while being treated with LIVOSTIN*
BEFORE taking LIVOSTIN*, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you:
are pregnant or intend to become pregnant while taking this medication;
- are breast feeding;
- have known hypersensitivity to this drug or its ingredients;
- wear soft contact lenses.
WHILE taking LIVOSTIN*:
- check with your doctor if you are not getting any relief or if any problems develop;
- report any untoward reactions to your doctor. This is very important, as it will aid in the early detection and prevention of potential complications.
if you experience any blurring of vision, do not drive or operate any machinery.
LIVOSTIN usually does not affect alertness or concentration. However, should you feel drowsy, be careful while driving or operating machinery
Not for use in children under 12 years of age.
Your doctor has prescribed this medicine for you. Do not give this medicine to anyone else.
INTERACTIONS WITH THIS MEDICATION
BEFORE taking LIVOSTIN*, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you:
- are taking any other drug (either prescription or non-prescription)
PROPER USE OF THIS MEDICATION
Usual dose:
The usual dose is 1 drop (15 mcg) of LIVOSTIN* eye drops instilled in each eye, 2 times daily. The dose may be increased to 1 drop 3 to 4 times daily. Always follow your doctor’s instructions.
It is not useful to continue the treatment for more than 3 days if no improvement is seen.
Shake LIVOSTIN* eye drops before each use.
LIVOSTIN* eye drops should be used within one month of the first opening of the bottle.
Overdose:
There has been no experience with overdosage of LIVOSTIN* eye drops.
In case of drug overdose, contact a health care practitioner, hospital emergency department or regional Poison Control Centre immediately, even if there are no symptoms.
IMPORTANT: PLEASE READ
LIVOSTIN*
Template Date: January 2010 Page 28 of 28
SIDE EFFECTS AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT THEM
The most common side effect is eye irritation.
Other side effects are headache, drowsiness and fatigue.
| SERIOUS SIDE EFFECTS, HOW OFTEN THEY HAPPEN AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT THEM | ||||
| Symptom / Effect | Talk with your doctor or pharmacist | Stop taking drug and call your doctor or pharmacist | ||
| Only if Severe | In all cases | |||
| Common | ||||
| Uncommon | Allergic reaction (rash, hives, swelling of the face, throat, lips, difficulty swallowing or breathing and abnormally fast heartbeats | x | ||
Keratitis, a condition where the eyes are very painful watery, bloodshot, and sensitive to light | x | |||
This is not a complete list of side effects. For any unexpected effects while taking LIVOSTIN*, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
HOW TO STORE IT
LIVOSTIN* eye drops should be stored between 15 and 30 °C.
LIVOSTIN* must be kept out of the reach and sight of children.
REPORTING SUSPECTED SIDE EFFECTS
You can report any suspected adverse reactions associated with the use of health products to the Canada Vigilance Program by one of the following 3 ways:
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- Report online at www.healthcanada.gc.ca/medeffect
- Call toll-free at 1-866-234-2345
Complete a Canada Vigilance Reporting Form and:
- Fax toll-free to 1-866-678-6789, or
Mail to: Canada Vigilance Program Health Canada
Postal Locator 0701D Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0K9
Postage paid labels, Canada Vigilance Reporting Form and the adverse reaction reporting guidelines are available on the MedEffect™ Canada Web site at www.healthcanada.gc.ca/medeffect.
NOTE: Should you require information related to the management of side effects, contact your health professional. The Canada Vigilance Program does not provide medical advice.
MORE INFORMATION
This document plus the full product monograph, prepared for health professionals can be found at: http:// www.novartis.ca or by contacting the sponsor,
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc.,
Dorval, QC
H9S 1A9
1-800-363-8883
Last revised: June 17, 2010
*Registered trademark