Acular 0.5% Eye Drops
1. What Acular is and what it is used for
2. What you need to know before you use Acular
3. How to use Acular
4. Possible side effects
PACKAGE LEAFLET: INFORMATION FOR THE USER ACULAR® 0.5% EYE DROPS (ketorolac trometamol)
This product will be referred to as Acular throughout this leaflet.
Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start using this medicine because it contains important information for you.
• Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
• If you have any further questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
• This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not pass it on to others. It may harm them, even if their signs of illness are the same as yours.
• If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. See section 4.
What is in this leaflet:
1. What Acular is and what it is used for
2. What you need to know before you use Acular
3. How to use Acular
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Acular
6. Contents of the pack and other information
Acular is used to prevent and relieve eye inflammation following surgery on the eye in adults.
Acular belongs to a group of medicines known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). The active ingredient in Acular is ketorolac trometamol.
Do not use Acular
• If you are allergic to ketorolac, or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6).
• If you are allergic to aspirin or any other similar drugs.
Warnings and precautions
If any of the following apply talk to your doctor before using Acular.
If you suffer from, or have in the past suffered from:
• viral or bacterial infections of the eye
• bleeding tendencies (for example, anaemia) or stomach ulcers
• diabetes
• rheumatoid arthritis
• dry eye syndrome
• asthma after using non-steroidal anti-inflammatories
• or if you have had recent eye surgery.
Other medicines and Acular
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are using, have recently used or might use any other medicine, including medicines obtained without a prescription.
If you use Acular with another eye medicine, leave at least 5 minutes between putting in Acular and the other medicine.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before using this medicine. Acular should not be used if you are pregnant or are breast-feeding, unless your doctor recommends it.
Children
Acular should not be prescribed for use in children.
Driving and using machines
Acular may cause temporary blurred vision. Do not drive or use machinery until the symptoms have cleared.
Acular contains benzalkonium chloride
• If you wear contact lenses you should remove them prior to application and wait at least 15 minutes before reinsertion.
• The preservative in Acular benzalkonium chloride, may cause eye irritation and can permanently damage this type of lens. Acular is known to discolour soft contact lenses.
• Avoid contact with soft contact lenses.
Always use this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure. The recommended dose is 1 drop into the affected eye(s), 3 times a day, starting 24 hours before surgery and continuing for up to 3 weeks after eye surgery.
Instructions for use
• You must not use the bottle if the tamper-proof seal on the bottle neck is broken before you first use it. Apply your eye drops in the following way:
1. Wash your hands. Tilt your head back and look at the ceiling.
2. Gently pull the lower eyelid down until there is a small pocket.
3. Turn the bottle upside down and squeeze it to release one drop into each eye that needs treatment.
4. Let go of the lower lid, and close your eye for 30 seconds.
If a drop misses your eye, try again.
To avoid contamination or injury, do not let the tip of the dropper touch your eye or anything else.
Replace and tighten the cap straight after use.
Wipe off any excess liquid from your cheek with a clean tissue.
The proper application of your eye drops is very important. If you have any questions ask your doctor or pharmacist.
If you use more Acular than you should
The application of too many drops is unlikely to lead to unwanted side effects. Apply your next dose at the normal time. If, by accident, anyone drinks this medicine, drink fluids to dilute and contact your doctor.
If you forget to use Acular
If you forget a dose apply it as soon as you remember, unless it is almost time for your next dose, in which case you should miss out the forgotten dose. Then use your next dose as usual and continue with your normal routine.
Do not use a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.
If you stop using Acular
Acular should be used as advised by your doctor. If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
Side effects related to the cornea (the surface of the eye) may be more likely if Acular is used for longer than two weeks or if you are using topical steroid drops at the same time or if you have a related eye condition. You should see your doctor immediately if you experience pain, increased irritation in the eye or changes in vision.
I
I
I