Carbomer 2mg/G Liquid Gel
Out of date information, search anotherVISCOTEARS® LIQUID GEL / CARBOMER 2MG/G LIQUID GEL
_(carbomer)_
PATIENT INFORMATION LEAFLET
Your eye drops are available using the names Viscotears Liquid Gel or Carbomer 2mg/g Liquid Gel, but will be referred to as Viscotears throughout this leaflet.
Please read this leaflet carefully before you start to use Viscotears. It contains important information. Keep the leaflet in a safe place because you may want to read it again.
Do not share these eye drops with anyone else just in case you have an eye infection which you could pass on.
If you have any other questions, or if there is something you don't understand, please ask your pharmacist.
If any of the side effects gets serious, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell your doctor or pharmacist.
In this leaflet:
1. What Viscotears is and what it's used for
2. Things to consider before you start to use Viscotears
3. How Viscotears is used
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Viscotears
6. Further information
1. WHAT VISCOTEARS IS AND WHAT IT'S USED FOR
Viscotears contains the active ingredient, carbomer (polyacrylic acid). Viscotears is used to make your
eyes more comfortable when they feel dry. It is one of a group of eye drops called 'artificial tears'.
2. THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE YOU START TO USE VISCOTEARS
DO NOT use Viscotears if:
• you think you may be allergic to any of the ingredients. (These are listed at the end of the leaflet.)
Take special care:
• In children and adolescents aged to 18 years, the safety and efficacy of Viscotears at the posology recommended in adults has been established by clinical experience, but no clinical trial data are available.
You should also ask yourself these questions before starting to use Viscotears:
• Do you wear contact lenses? Take your lenses out before you put the drops in your eyes. Don't put the lenses back in for at least 30 minutes.
• Do you have problems with your eyes apart from sore or dry eyes? Talk to your doctor before you start to use Viscotears.
• Are you using any other eye drops? If you need to use more than one kind of eye drops wait 5 minutes between treatments. Viscotears should always be the last of the eye drops used.
• Are you pregnant or breast-feeding? Discuss whether you should use Viscotears with your doctor.
Will there be any problems with driving or using machinery?
Some people may find that their vision is blurred immediately after using Viscotears. If affected, wait until your vision clears before you drive or use machinery.
3. HOW VISCOTEARS IS USED
If your doctor has prescribed Viscotears he/she will tell you how and when to use it and the dose will be on the pharmacist's label.
The usual dosage is:
Adults (including the elderly): One drop in each affected eye, three or four times a day.
Children and adolescents aged to 18 years:
The safety and efficacy of Viscotears in children and adolescents at the posology recommended in adults has been established by clinical experience, but no clinical trial data are available.
If you are not sure ask your doctor or pharmacist.
How to use your eye drops
1. Wash your hands.
2. If you wear contact lenses, remove them before using the drops and do not replace for at least 30 minutes.
3. Hold the tube vertically (see figure 1).
4. Tilt your head backwards (see figure 2).
5. Rest one hand on your cheek and gently pull down your lower eye lid.
6. Look upwards.
7. Insert one drop by squeezing the tube gently (see figure 3).
8. Blink a few times to spread the liquid gel evenly over your eye.
9. Wipe away any excess gel from around the eyelids.
10. Repeat for your other eye if required.
NOTE: Do not touch your eye or the surrounding area with the tip of the dropper as this may cause injury to the eye and contaminate the gel. Follow the instructions carefully. If there is anything you don't understand, ask your pharmacist or doctor.
Do not use Viscotears Liquid Gel later than four weeks after first opening.
4. POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS
Viscotears is suitable for most people, but, like all medicines, it can sometimes cause side effects.
Sometimes people notice that the drops make their eyes burn or sting slightly. This usually quickly passes.
Viscotears can make your eyelids feel sticky.
Sometimes your vision may be blurred for a short time. This will gradually clear (but do not drive or operate machinery while affected).
There have been reports of allergic reactions, eyelid swelling, eye redness, swelling, pain and itching following the use of Viscotears.
These effects are often mild. If they are severe, or if you notice anything else not mentioned here, please go and see your doctor.
Reporting of side effects
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.aov.uk/vellowcard
By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information.
5. HOW TO STORE VISCOTEARS
Do not store above 25°C.
Discard 4 weeks after first opening.
Keep out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not use the eye drops after the expiry date shown on the tube (EXP).
If your doctor decides to stop treatment, return any leftover eye drops to the pharmacist. Only keep them if your doctor tells you to.
If your eye drops appear to be discoloured or show any other signs of deterioration, take them to your pharmacist who will advise you.
Take any unused Viscotears back to your pharmacist to be destroyed. Do not throw it away with your normal household waste or water. This will help to protect the environment.
6. FURTHER INFORMATION
Each gram of eye gel contains 2mg of Carbomer.
Viscotears also includes: cetrimide, sorbitol, sodium hydroxide and water for injection.
The tube contains lOg of liquid gel. This is one of a group of medicines called artificial tears.
Each pack contains either 1 x lOg tube, or 3 x lOg tubes.
It comes as a tamper-evident sealed carton containing one or three white/blue plastic tubes with a nozzle applicator head and a white plastic screw cap. The tube contains a clear, colourless, odourless gel.
Manufacturer: Dr Winzer Pharma GmbH, Berlin, Germany.
Procured from within the EU and repackaged by: Doncaster Pharmaceuticals Group Ltd., Kirk Sandall, Doncaster, DN3 1QR.
Product Licence holder: BR Lewis Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Kirk Sandall, Doncaster, DN3 1QR.
PL No: 08929/0390
Leaflet revision and issue date: 15.01.15
Viscotears® is a registered trademark of Novartis AG.