Proper Use
Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®
Use this medicine only as directed by your doctor. Do not use more of it, do not use it more often, and do not use it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. To do so may increase the chance of too much medicine being absorbed into the body and the chance of side effects.
To use the eye drops:
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Wash your hands first with soap and water.
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Shake the bottle well before each use.
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Tilt your head back and, pressing your finger gently on the skin just beneath the lower eyelid, pull the lower eyelid away from the eye to make a space. Drop the medicine into this space.
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Let go of the eyelid and gently close your eye. Do not blink. Keep the eye closed and apply pressure to the inner corner of your eye with your finger for 1 or 2 minutes to allow the medicine to be absorbed by the eye.
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If you think you did not get the drop of medicine into your eye properly, use another drop.
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To keep the medicine as germ-free as possible, do not touch the applicator tip to any surface (including the eye). Keep the bottle tightly closed.
To use the eye ointment:
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Wash your hands first with soap and water.
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Tilt your head back and, pressing your finger gently on the skin just beneath the lower eyelid, pull the lower eyelid away from the eye to make a space. Place a small amount (about 1/2 an inch) of ointment into this space.
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Look down before closing your eye. Apply pressure to the inner corner of your eye with your finger for 1 or 2 minutes to allow the medicine to be absorbed by the eye.
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To keep the medicine as germ-free as possible, do not touch the tip of the tube to any surface (including the eye). Keep the tube tightly closed.
To help clear up your infection completely, keep using this medicine for the full treatment time even if you feel better after the first few doses. The infection may not clear up if you stop using the medicine too soon. Do not miss any doses.
Dosing
The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.
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For eye infections:
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For ophthalmic dosage form (eye drops):
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Adults and children 2 years of age and older—Use one or two drops in the affected eye 4 to 6 times a day. Your doctor may tell you to use the drops more often during severe infections.
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Children younger than 2 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
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For ophthalmic dosage form (eye ointment):
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Adults—Apply a small amount (about 1/2 an inch) into the eye 3 or 4 times a day.
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Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
Storage
Keep out of the reach of children.
Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.
This medicine may also be stored in the refrigerator or in a cool dry place.
Portions of this document last updated: Aug. 01, 2024
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