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Alcaine 0.5 is a local anesthetic eye drops, used before performing eye procedures such as removing foreign bodies, sutures, measuring intraocular pressure,... The drug may have some potential side effects. side effects, so during use, patients need to strictly follow the doctor's instructions to minimize this risk.
1. What is Alcaine 0.5?
Alcaine 0.5 is a topical anesthetic eye drop, manufactured by S.A Alcon Couvreur N.V (Belgium). It is used for superficial anesthesia during procedures involving the eye, such as removal of a foreign body, intraocular pressure measurement with a tonometer, corneal curettage, eye suturing, or conjunctival curettage.
Alcaine is prepared as an eye drop solution, a sterile, isotonic solution, which may be colorless or slightly yellow. Each 15ml bottle of Alcaine contains the following ingredients:
Main active ingredient: Proparacaine hydrochloride with a content of 75mg. Other excipients: Glycerol, preservative benzalkonium chloride (1.5mg), sodium hydroxide / hydrochloric acid, purified water.
2. Indications and uses of Alcaine 0.5
Alcaine 0.5 is indicated for use in some of the following cases:
Helps local anesthetic eye surface for procedures such as: Sutures from the cornea, measuring intraocular pressure, checking the angle of the chamber anterior cornea, curettage,... Indicated to use local anesthesia before the patient's cataract surgery.
3. Dosage and how to use Alcaine 0.5
3.1 Dosage of Alcaine Drug Dosage of alcaine will be determined based on each treatment purpose and specific patient population, including:
Dosage for simple eye procedures or use tonometer: Add 1-2 drops of alcaine before starting the procedure. Dosage for minor eye surgery, such as suturing or removing foreign bodies: Instill 1-2 drops into the eye, every 5-10 minutes, about 1-3 times. Dosage for prolonged anesthesia during cataract surgery: Instill 1-2 drops into the eye every 5 - 10 minutes / time, repeat 3 - 5 times. In general, the anesthetic effect of Alcaine usually appears within 30 seconds of instillation and can last for about 15 minutes.
3.2 How to use Alcaine 0.5 Alcaine 0.5 is for eye drops only. In the process of using the drug, you can follow the instructions below:
Wash your hands before instilling Alcaine. When instilling the drug, the patient should tilt his head slightly back, bring the tip of the dropper up so that it does not touch the eye to avoid contamination. After instillation, the vial cap should be tightly closed to avoid affecting the quality of the solution. If you are using more than one type of eye drops, it is best to use them at least 5 minutes apart to avoid interactions, remember to use the eye ointment last.
4. Some things to be careful about when using Alcaine 0.5
During the use of Alcaine, patients need to be careful with the following:
Alcaine is only used in the form of eye drops, not taken orally or intravenously. Prolonged use of alcaine anesthetic eye drops can reduce the duration of the drug's effect, even cause toxicity to the corneal epithelium and lead to damage that causes complete corneal damage. The active ingredient proparacaine in the drug can cause allergic dermatitis if it comes in contact with sensitive skin. Because the drug contains the preservative benzalkonium chloride, which can cause irritation and change the color of soft contact lenses. Therefore, doctors often recommend that patients avoid wearing contact lenses until the anesthetic effect of the drug wears off. Alcaine should be used with caution in people with heart disease, epilepsy, hyperthyroidism or respiratory problems. In addition, people with myasthenia gravis are also very sensitive to the local anesthetic effects of Alcaine. People with low plasma acetylcholinesterase levels or who are being treated with cholinesterase inhibitors may experience systemic side effects. Therefore, doctors often recommend that patients avoid touching or rubbing their eyes until the drug wears off. If symptoms of facial irritation or hypersensitivity to the active ingredients occur, the patient should discontinue use and notify the doctor immediately. Pregnant women and nursing mothers should consult their doctor before using alcaine. The drug has a local anesthetic effect, which can easily lead to temporary vision disturbances or blurred vision, so people who operate machinery or vehicles should use caution.
5. Some side effects of Alcaine 0.5
Along with the necessary uses, Alcaine 0.5 can cause some unwanted side effects for users, including:
Dilated pupils. Cycloplegic effect (rare). Eye irritation, stinging pain, red eyes, burning eyes. Increased blinking or tearing (may occur several hours after instillation). Immune system disorders with symptoms of hypersensitivity. Nervous system disorders, such as fainting. Other eye disorders such as corneal opacity, corneal erosion, eye discomfort. Eye itching, light sensitivity, keratitis , eye swelling, increased tear secretion. Contact dermatitis, dry or cracked fingertips. When any of the above side effects appear, the patient should stop using the drug and contact the doctor immediately. Treating side effects early will help reduce or prevent other serious risks to eye health.
6. Instructions for storing Alcaine 0.5
Alcaine 0.5 has a shelf life of 30 months from the date of manufacture. The medicine should be stored in a dry place, at room temperature below 30 degrees Celsius. In addition, you should also store the medicine in an airtight container, avoid exposure to sunlight or place in a humid place, for example. like a refrigerator or a bathroom.
Only use Alcaine 0.5 with the approval of a specialist, absolutely do not share the drug with others. Hopefully, the above sharing will help you get more information about how to use the drug effectively and safely.
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Reference source: drugs.com
