Patient Medication Information: uses, side effects, how to take - Opticrom
What is OPTICROM® used for?
- Helps prevent and relieve the symptoms of red, itchy, watery eyes due to allergies.
How does OPTICROM® work?
Most allergic reactions are caused by exposure to substances in the environment. These include pollens, mold spores, house dust and animal dander. Allergy symptoms include irritation, grittiness, redness and excessive watering of the eyes. Your allergy symptoms may only occur at certain times of the year in reaction to a particular pollen. These are seasonal allergies.
Special (mast) cells which are present in the mucus membranes of your nose and eyes react to allergens such as pollen or dust by releasing histamine. This release of histamine then sets off the whole cycle of allergic symptoms.
OPTICROM® works by blocking the release of histamine from the mast cells. This helps prevent the allergic response from taking place and so helps prevent the symptoms of red, itchy, watery eyes. OPTICROM® use should be started prior to your usual allergy season to gain the maximum preventative effect. In the case of unexpected exposure, begin treatment immediately at the first onset of symptoms. To maintain the symptom-free effect, it should be taken continuously throughout the season even when you feel you are free from your symptoms.
What are the ingredients in OPTICROM®?
Medicinal ingredients: sodium cromoglicate.
Non-medicinal ingredients: benzalkonium chloride, and edetate disodium and purified water.
OPTICROM® comes in the following dosage forms:
Ophthalmic solution 2%.
Do not use OPTICROM® if:
- You are hypersensitive to sodium cromoglycate or any of the other ingredients in OPTICROM®.
- You are allergic to any component of the OPTICROM® container.
To help avoid side effects and ensure proper use, talk to your healthcare professional before you take OPTICROM®. Talk about any health conditions or problems you may have, including if you:
- Have irritation or redness due to serious eye conditions such as infection, foreign body in the eye, or other mechanical or chemical corneal injury.
- Experience eye pain, changes in vision, pain on exposure to light, eye redness that does not last, excessive or milky (non-clear) discharge, abnormal pupils.
- Only one eye is affected.
- You have no nose symptoms.
Other warnings you should know about:
- OPTICROM® should only be used for allergic conditions of the eye.
- If condition worsens or if relief is not obtained within 72 hours consult your doctor immediately.
- Soft contact lenses should not be worn during treatment with OPTICROM®.
As with any drug, if you are pregnant or nursing a baby, seek a doctor’s advice before using OPTICROM®.
Tell your healthcare professional about all the medicines you take, including any drugs, vitamins, minerals, natural supplements or alternative medicines.
How to take OPTICROM®:
OPTICROM® are easily applied to the eye. First, you should tilt your head back and gently pull your lower lid down. Then carefully squeeze out two drops into each eye while looking up toward your forehead. Close your eyes gently for a few moments.
OPTICROM® should be used continually throughout your usual allergy season, even when you feel you are free from symptoms. Continued use will help ensure you remain symptom-free.
To maintain sterility, prevent touching the tip of the dropper with the eye or other surfaces.
Usual dose:
Adults and children over 5 years:
- Apply two drops into each eye 4 times per day at regular intervals.
- Do not use more than 8 drops in each eye in 24 hours.
Overdose:
There have been no reported cases in humans of overdose with OPTICROM®.
| If you think you have taken too much OPTICROM®, contact your healthcare professional, hospital emergency department or regional poison control centre immediately, even if there are no symptoms. |
Missed Dose:
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to the regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.
What are possible side effects from using OPTICROM®?
These are not all the possible side effects you may feel when taking OPTICROM®. If you experience any side effects not listed here, contact your healthcare professional.
Side effects may include:
Eye Disorders
- mild stinging in the eye
- burning sensation in the eye
- eye redness
- watery eyes
- itchy eyes
- dryness around the eye
- puffy eyes
- eye irritation
- blurred vision
- sties
Serious side effects and what to do about them
| Symptom / effect | Talk to your healthcare professional | Stop taking drug and get immediate medical help |
| Only if severe | In all cases | |
| Allergic reaction: skin redness, difficulty breathing, and eye swelling | ||
| X | ||
If you have a troublesome symptom or side effect that is not listed here or becomes bad enough to interfere with your daily activities, talk to your healthcare professional.
Reporting Side Effects
You can report any suspected side effects associated with the use of health products to Health Canada by:
NOTE: Contact your health professional if you need information about how to manage your side effects. The Canada Vigilance Program does not provide medical advice. |
Storage:
Store at 15º to 30°C and protect from direct sunlight. Discard the opened bottle after four weeks.
Keep out of reach and sight of children.
If you want more information about OPTICROM®:
- Talk to your healthcare professional
Find the full product monograph that is prepared for healthcare professionals and
- includes this Patient Medication Information by visiting the Health Canada website (http://hc-sc.gc.ca/index-eng.php); the manufacturer’s website: www.allergan.ca, or by calling 1-800-668-6424.
Last Revised: May 3, 2019
OPTICROM® is a registered trademark of FISONS LIMITED, used under license by Allergan Inc. Allergan® and its design are trademarks of Allergan Inc.
©2019 Allergan. All rights reserved.