Gouttes ophtalmiques d'antazoline et de xylométazoline

About antazoline and xylometazoline eye drops

The drops contain two ingredients. Antazoline is an antihistamine; it helps relieve allergic itchiness by blocking the release of a chemical called histamine, which is produced by the body as part of an allergic reaction. Xylometazoline is a sympathomimetic agent; it works on the blood vessels in the eye to reduce redness. Antazoline and xylometazoline eye drops (brand name Otrivine-Antistin®) are used to treat conjonctivite allergique.

Allergic conjunctivitis causes red, watery and itchy eyes. It is caused by exposure to irritants such as plant pollens, pet fur, cosmetics or house dust mite. Seasonal allergic conjunctivitis occurs at certain times in a year, a common cause being an allergy to pollen in the rhume des foins season. Perennial allergic conjunctivitis persists throughout the year. This is commonly due to an allergy to house dust mite or animal hair. Antazoline and xylometazoline eye drops are available on prescription, or you can buy them without a prescription at a pharmacy. They can be used by adults and by children over 12 years of age.

To make sure this is the right treatment for you, before you start using the eye drops it is important that your doctor or pharmacist knows:

• Si vous portez des lentilles de contact souples.

• If you have any of the following: high blood pressure, an overactive thyroid gland, diabetes, increased pressure in your eye (glaucoma), heart or blood vessel disease, difficulty passing urine, or a tumour on your adrenal glands, called phaeochromocytoma.

• Si vous êtes enceinte ou allaitante. En effet, pendant que vous attendez un bébé ou que vous allaitez, vous ne devez utiliser des médicaments que sur recommandation d'un médecin.

• If you have ever had an allergic reaction to an antihistamine or to any eye drops.

• Si vous prenez ou utilisez d'autres médicaments. Cela inclut tous les médicaments que vous prenez et qui sont disponibles à l'achat sans ordonnance, ainsi que les médicaments à base de plantes et complémentaires.

1. Lavez-vous bien les mains avant d'utiliser les gouttes.

2. Retirez le bouchon.

3. Inclinez légèrement la tête en arrière et tirez la paupière inférieure de votre œil pour former une poche.

4. Tenez la bouteille à l'envers près de votre œil. Essayez de ne pas toucher votre œil en faisant cela.

5. Pressez doucement le flacon pour libérer une goutte dans votre œil. N'utilisez une deuxième goutte que si la première n'est pas entrée dans votre œil.

6. Fermez votre œil pendant une minute ou deux, et appuyez doucement sur le côté de votre nez où le coin de votre œil rencontre votre nez. Cela aide à empêcher la goutte de s'écouler et la maintient dans votre œil.

7. Repeat the process in your other eye.

8. Remettez le bouchon.

• Avant de commencer à utiliser les gouttes pour les yeux, lisez la notice d'information imprimée du fabricant dans l'emballage. Elle vous fournira plus d'informations sur les gouttes et vous donnera une liste complète des effets secondaires que vous pourriez ressentir en les utilisant.

• Use the eye drops two or three times a day in both eyes, unless you have been told otherwise by your doctor.

• Faites attention à ne pas toucher votre œil, vos doigts ou toute autre surface avec le compte-gouttes du flacon. Cela pourrait contaminer le liquide restant dans le flacon.

• When you first put the drops into your eye, it may cause blurred vision. This should quickly clear, but make sure you can see clearly again before you drive and before using machines or tools.

• If you are using any other eye drops, leave 5-10 minutes between using the other eye drops. 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.

• Do not wear soft contact lenses while you are using the eye drops unless your doctor has advised you otherwise. This is because lenses will irritate your eyes, and also because there is a preservative in the drops which can affect soft contact lenses.

• If your symptoms do not improve within a few days, or if they become worse, make an appointment to see a doctor.

• Your doctor will tell you how long to use the drops for. You should notice an improvement in your symptoms within a few days, but treatment for up to seven days is sometimes required. Do not use the drops for more than seven consecutive days.

Along with their useful effects, eye drops can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below contains the most common one associated with antazoline and xylometazoline eye drops. You will find a full list in the manufacturer's information leaflet supplied with your drops. Unwanted effects often improve as your body adjusts to a new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if the following continues or becomes troublesome.

Occasionally people can be allergic to eye drops, particularly when the eye drops contain a preservative. If you notice a rash around your eyes, or any swelling or increased itching, stop using the drops and contact a doctor for advice. If you experience any other symptoms which you think may be due to the eye drops, speak with your doctor or pharmacist for further advice.

• Gardez tous les médicaments hors de la portée et de la vue des enfants.

• Conserver dans un endroit frais et sec, à l'abri de la chaleur et de la lumière directes.

• Eye drops only keep for four weeks once the bottle has been opened so throw away the bottle after you have finished the course of treatment, even if there is some solution left. Never keep opened bottles of eye drops to use later. This helps to prevent the risk of eye infections.