(a ZEL as teen) Brand: Optivar
• You must not use this medicine if you are allergic to azelastine.
• Do not let the dropper tip to touch any surface, including the eyes or hands. If the dropper becomes contaminated it could reason an infection in your eye, which can lead to vision loss or serious hurt to the eye.
• Do not use this medicine while wearing contact lenses. Azelastine ophthalmic may contain a preservative that can discolor soft contact lenses. Wait at least 15 minutes after using azelastine till putting your contact lenses in.
• Do not wear contact lenses while your eyes are red or irritated. Azelastine ophthalmic must not be used to treat minor contact lens irritation.
• Stop using azelastine ophthalmic and call your doctor if you have severe eye pain, trouble breathing, or severe burning, stinging, itching, or redness in your eyes.
• Azelastine is an antihistamine that reduces the natural chemical histamine in the body. Histamine can manufacture symptoms of itching or watery eyes.
• Azelastine ophthalmic (for the eyes) is used to treat itchy eyes caused by allergies (hay fever).
• Azelastine ophthalmic may also be used for purposes not listed in this medicine guide.
• You must not use this medicine if you are allergic to azelastine.
• Do not wear contact lenses while your eyes are red or irritated. Azelastine ophthalmic must not be used to treat minor contact lens irritation.
• FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether azelastine ophthalmic will harm an unborn child. Speak your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication.
• It is not known whether azelastine ophthalmic passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing child. Do not use this medicine without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
• Do not give this medicine to a baby younger than 3 years old.
• Use exactly as predesigned by your doctor. Do not use in larger or less amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
• Do not use this medicine while wearing contact lenses. Azelastine ophthalmic may contain a preservative that can discolor soft contact lenses. Wait at least 15 minutes after using this medicine till putting your contact lenses in.
• Wash your hands till using the eye drops.
• To apply the eye drops:
· Tilt your head back slightly and pull down your lower eyelid to make a little pocket. Keep the dropper above the eye with the tip down. Look up and away from the dropper as you squeeze out a drop, then close your eye.
· Use only the number of drops your doctor has prescribed.
· Gently press your finger to the internal corner of the eye (near your nose) for about 1 minute to hold the liquid from draining into your tear duct. If you use more than one drop in the same eye, wait about 5 minutes till putting in the following drop.
· Do not let the dropper tip to touch any surface, including the eyes or hands. If the dropper becomes contaminated it could reason an infection in your eye, which can lead to vision loss or serious hurt to the eye.
• The 0.2 milliliter (0.2 mL) container of azelastine is for one use only. Throw away after one use, even if there is still some medication left in it. Every 0.2 mL container should be used within one month after you open the foil pouch.
• Store at room temperature away from heat and moisture. Hold every single-use 0.2 mL container in the foil pouch before you are ready to use it.
• Use the missed doze as soon as you remember. Skip the missed doze if it is nearly time for your following scheduled doze. Do not use extra medication to create up the missed dose.
• Search abnormal medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
• Do not use another eye medications during treatment with azelastine unless your doctor tells you to.
• Get abnormal medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your person, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Stop using this medicine and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:
· severe burning, stinging, itching, or eye redness after using this medicine;
· eye pain;
· trouble breathing; or
· fever, chills, sore throat, flu symptoms.
• Smaller serious side effects may include:
· mild burning or stinging
· mild itching, irritation or discomfort;
· runny nose;
· blurred vision (temporary);
· headache; or
· a bitter taste in your mouth.
• This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may message side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
• It is not likely that another drugs you take orally or inject will have an effect on azelastine used in the eyes. But much drugs can interact with every another. Speak your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal commodity. Do not start a new medicine without telling your doctor.
• Your pharmacist can provide more information about azelastine ophthalmic.
Remember, hold this and all another medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medicine only for the indication prescribed.
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