PACKAGE LEAFLET: INFORMATION FORTHE USER    D01928

Sodium Chloride (Normal Saline) Eye Drops 0.9% w/v

Sodium Chloride

Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start using this medicine. It contains important information.

•    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. Do not pass it on to others. It may harm them, even if their symptoms are the same as yours.

In this leaflet:

1.    What Sodium Chloride Eye Drops are and what they are used for

2.    Before you use Sodium Chloride Eye Drops

3.    Elow to use Sodium Chloride Eye Drops

4.    Possible side effects

5.    How to store Sodium Chloride Eye Drops

6.    Further information

1.    What Sodium Chloride Eye Drops are and what they are used for

The active ingredient sodium chloride belongs to a group of medicines known as eye lubricants (ocular lubricants).

Sodium Chloride Eye Drops are used to wash out your eye if you have something trapped in it.

2.    Before you use Sodium Chloride Eye Drops

Do not use Sodium Chloride Eye Drops if:

•    you are allergic (hypersensitive) to Sodium Chloride or to any of the other ingredients, which are listed in section 6 of this leaflet

Take special care with Sodium Chloride Eye Drops if:

•    you wear soft contact lenses. These should be removed before your treatment with Sodium Chloride Eye Drops

If you are unsure about taking this medicine or you have any questions, go and talk to your doctor first and follow the advice given.

Taking other medicines

Please tell your doctor or nurse if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription_

Pregnancy and breast-feeding

If you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breast-feeding you should ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before you take Sodium Chloride Eye Drops.

Driving and using machines

Sodium Chloride Eye Drops can cause temporary blurring of vision after application. Wait until your vision is clear before driving or using machines

Important information about some of the ingredients of Sodium Chloride Eye Drops

This medicine contains benzalkonium chloride which may cause eye irritation and is known to discolour soft contact lenses.

Remove contact lenses before you use Sodium Chloride Eye Drops and wait at least 15 minutes before you put them back in.

3. How to use Sodium Chloride Eye Drops

Always use Sodium Chloride Eye Drops exactly as your doctor has told you. You should check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.

Soft contact lenses must not be worn during treatment with Sodium Chloride Eye Drops

Instructions for use

1.    Before opening a new bottle of Sodium Chloride Eye Drops, please check that the safety strip on the bottom of the outer cap is unbroken.

2.    Twist the outer cap to break the seal.

3.    Wash your hands well before use.

4.    Remove the outer cap. If you are putting in the drops yourself, you should use a mirror.

5.    Tilt your head back and look up at the ceiling.

6.    Pull the lower lid of the eye out to form a small pocket between your eyelid and your eye.

7.    Hold the bottle between the thumb and middle finger of the other hand, turn the bottle upside down near to the eye, try not to touch the eye with the nozzle.

8.    Apply enough pressure to the container to release one to two drops, as directed by

—your doctor.—

9.    Blink your eye a few times.

10.    If you think that you have missed the eye, then insert another drop.

11.    Repeat steps 5-10 for the other eye if you have been told to use Sodium Chloride Eye Drops in both eyes.

12.    Replace the outer cap on the container, trying not to touch the applicator tip with anything, including the eye or your fingers.

13.    Wash your hands

Continued overleaf