Colirio de apraclonidina

About apraclonidine eye drops

An increase in pressure within your eye can lead to damage to the optic nerve at the back of your eye. When this occurs it is called glaucoma. Glaucoma can lead to a loss of vision if it is not treated. Treatment with apraclonidine eye drops, in addition to your usual drops for glaucoma, can help to reduce eye pressure.

The 0.5% drops are prescribed for people who need additional help to control pressure in the eye in order to delay the need for laser treatment or surgery. The drops are usually prescribed for a short period of time, as the benefit from them tends to be lost after about a month, although this differs from person to person.

Apraclonidine is also used as a treatment during laser surgery. A higher-strength (1%) solution is used for this. It will be applied for you by the clinical staff who are treating you.

Apraclonidine eye drops are thought to work by reducing the amount of fluid (called aqueous humour) that you make in the front part of your eye. This helps to lower the pressure within your eye.

Before using apraclonidine eye drops

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine can only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start using the eye drops, it is important that your doctor knows:

• Si usa lentes de contacto blandas.

• If you have a heart condition or blood vessel disorder.

• If you have a depressive illness.

• If you have any of the following conditions: high blood pressure, Parkinson's disease, Raynaud's syndrome.

• Si está embarazada o en periodo de lactancia.

• Si tiene algún problema con el funcionamiento del hígado o de los riñones.

• Si alguna vez ha tenido una reacción alérgica a un medicamento.

• Si está tomando otros medicamentos. Esto incluye cualquier medicamento que esté tomando y que pueda adquirirse sin receta, así como medicamentos a base de plantas y complementarios.

How to use apraclonidine eye drops

1. Lávese bien las manos antes de utilizar las gotas.

2. Quita la tapa.

3. Inclina un poco la cabeza hacia atrás y tira del párpado inferior del ojo hacia abajo para formar una bolsa.

4. Sostenga la botella boca abajo cerca del ojo. Procure no tocarse el ojo mientras lo hace.

5. Presione suavemente la base del frasco para dejar caer una gota en el ojo.

6. Cierre el ojo durante uno o dos minutos y presione suavemente en el lado de la nariz donde la esquina del ojo se encuentra con la nariz. Esto ayuda a evitar que la gota se escurra y la mantiene en el ojo.

7. Repita el proceso en el otro ojo si le han indicado que utilice las gotas en ambos ojos.

8. Vuelva a colocar la tapa.

Aproveche al máximo su tratamiento

• Antes de empezar a usar el colirio, lea el prospecto impreso del envase. Le dará más información sobre el colirio y le proporcionará una lista completa de los efectos secundarios que puede experimentar con su uso.

• Use one drop into the eye (or eyes) affected three times each day. The benefit of treatment with the drops usually lasts for up to a month.

• Remember to use the drops at regular intervals and try not to miss any doses. If you do forget, use them as soon as you remember (unless it is nearly time for your next dose, in which case just use the drops when they are next due). Do not 'double up' to make up for a missed dose.

• Tenga cuidado de no tocar la punta del gotero con el ojo, los dedos o cualquier otra superficie. Así evitará que las gotas se contaminen.

• As you will also be using other eye drops for glaucoma, you should leave 5-10 minutes between putting in each type of drop. This is to prevent more liquid going into your eye than it can handle. Otherwise the drops will overflow from your eye and not have the intended effect.

• When first put in, eye drops can make your eyes water and may sometimes cause blurred vision. If this happens, it should quickly clear. Make sure you can see clearly again before you drive, or use tools or machines.

• Do not wear soft contact lenses unless your doctor has advised you otherwise. This is because bottles of eye drops contain preservatives which can affect some soft contact lenses.

• Please keep your regular appointments with your doctor and eye clinic so that your progress can be monitored.

Can apraclonidine eye drops cause problems?

Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below contains some of the most common ones associated with apraclonidine. You will find a full list in the manufacturer's information leaflet supplied with the eye drops. The unwanted effects often improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following continue or become troublesome.

How to store apraclonidine

• Mantenga todos los medicamentos fuera del alcance y de la vista de los niños.

• Almacenar en un lugar fresco y seco, lejos del calor y la luz directos.

• Los colirios en frasco sólo se conservan durante cuatro semanas una vez abierto el frasco, por lo que no debe utilizar las gotas si el frasco lleva abierto más tiempo. Esto ayudará a prevenir el riesgo de infecciones oculares.
  

Información importante sobre todos los medicamentos