Carmellose Sodium 0.5 Eye Drops, Carmize Lubricant Ophthalmic Solution 10ml (2 x 10ml Bottles)

Product Information

Carmellose sodium is a high molecular weight substance widely used as an excipient in oral and topical pharmaceutical formulations, also in cosmetics, toiletries and food products. Drugs During Pregnancy and Lactation: Treatment Options and Risk Assessment, 2nd edition (2007) ed. Schaefer, C., Peters, P. and Miller, R. Elsevier, London. If you use carmellose sodium with other eye drops, wait at least 5 minutes before using your other eye drops. The second eye drops can wash out the carmellose sodium and it may not work as well.

Make sure the tip of the bottle or dropper does not touch anything, including your eye, eyelashes, eyelid or your skin.If you forget to use the drops at your 'usual' time, do not worry, just put them in when you remember. Do not 'double up' the number of drops you use to make up for forgetting to use them. If you also use an eye ointment, always use your eye drops first and wait 5 minutes before using the ointment. The frequency of adverse reactions documented during clinical trials is given. The frequency is defined as follows: Very Common (≥ 1/10); Common (≥1/100, <1/10); Uncommon (≥1/1,000, <1/100); Rare (≥1/10,000, <1/1,000); Very Rare (<1/10,000), not known (cannot be estimated from the available data). Hold the bottle or dropper over your eye, look up, and allow 1 drop to fall into your lower eyelid.

Use the carmellose sodium eye drops within the expiry date on the bottle. Use them within 4 weeks of opening, unless your drops come with different instructions. This will help to prevent the risk of eye infections and the eye drops not working so well. Ask a pharmacist if you are not sure. Use one drop into the eye (or eyes) affected by dryness. Many people find it is sufficient to use the drops three or four times a day, but you can use the drops more frequently if your eyes are very dry. If the drops have been prescribed for you then follow the directions given by your doctor.

Adults

At the time of writing there is limited published experience regarding the safety of carmellose sodium in human pregnancy, however, carmellose sodium eye drops have been used for many years with no adverse effects reported and the manufacturer states no special precautions are necessary during pregnancy. Schaefer advises that artificial tears may be used for all appropriate indications during pregnancy (Schaefer 2007).

Neonates, infants born prematurely, those with low birth weight, those with an unstable gastrointestinal function or who have serious illnesses may require special consideration. For any infant, if a drug is prescribed to the nursing mother, it should be at the lowest practical dose and for the shortest time. When drug administration is unavoidable and breastfeeding is to continue, minimisation of exposure of the infant to the drug may sometimes be achieved by timing the maternal doses to just after a feeding episode. Infants exposed to drugs via breast milk should be monitored for unusual signs or symptoms. Interactions between the drug received by the infant from the mother's milk and medication prescribed for the infant should also be considered, for example, when the drug given to the infant may prevent metabolism of the drug received via breast milk. Carmellose sodium comes in a bottle with an eye dropper, or as a box of single-dose droppers. The single-dose droppers do not contain preservatives. How to use the eye drops At the time of writing there is limited published experience regarding the safety of carmellose sodium in breastfeeding, however, carmellose sodium eye drops have been used for many years with no adverse effects reported and the manufacturer states no special precautions are necessary during breastfeeding. Carmellose has a high molecular weight and would be unlikely to be present in breastmilk. Schaefer considers that most eye drops are compatible with breastfeeding and that artificial tears are not amongst those ophthalmic preparations likely to raise concern (Schaefer 2007). soaking a flannel in warm water (not hot) and gently press it on the area around your eyes – this makes the oil produced by the glands around your eyes more runny Application may cause transient blurring of vision; patients should avoid driving or operating machinery until vision is clear. Pregnancy and Lactation PregnancyConcomitant ocular medication should be administered 15 minutes prior to the instillation of carmellose sodium eye drops. Summary of Product Characteristics: Celluvisc 0.5% w/v eye drops solution. Allergan Ltd. Revised May 2010.

Please take care that the dropper doesn't touch your eye, your fingers, or any other surface. This could contaminate the drops left in the bottle. If you forget to use your eye drops, use them when you need them next or when it’s time for your next dose. What if I use too much?blink regularly (ask your doctor or eye specialist for advice on blinking exercises if you need them) If patient experiences transient blurring of vision, they should be advised not to drive or operating machinery until vision is clear. Counselling gently massaging your eyelids with your finger or a cotton bud – this pushes the oils out of the glands Advise patients that instillation of eye drops may cause transient blurring of vision and to avoid driving or operating machinery until vision is clear.