DrugindexOnline^{2nd edition}

Generic Name: Phenylephrine Eye Drops 10% (fen-il-EF-rin)
Brand Name: Examples include AK-Dilate and Neofrin

AK-Dilate Drops is used for:

Constricting the blood vessels in the eye and dilating the pupil in certain eye surgeries, certain inflammatory conditions of the eye, or glaucoma. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

AK-Dilate Drops is a decongestant and mydriatic. It works by narrowing blood vessels in the eye and widening the pupil.

Do NOT use AK-Dilate Drops if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in AK-Dilate Drops
• you have narrow-angle glaucoma or you are at risk for narrow-angle glaucoma
• you have severe narrowing of the blood vessels in the heart or brain
• the patient is a child

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using AK-Dilate Drops:

Some medical conditions may interact with AK-Dilate Drops. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have heart disease, glaucoma, high blood pressure, or an overactive thyroid
• if you have had a recent eye injury or you have dry eyes
• if you are taking medicine for high blood pressure

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with AK-Dilate Drops. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Atropine, beta-blockers (eg, propranolol), droxidopa, furazolidone, guanethidine, methyldopa, monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors (eg, phenelzine), reserpine, or tricyclic antidepressants (eg, amitriptyline) because the risk of serious side effects, such as high blood pressure and irregular heartbeat, may be increased

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if AK-Dilate Drops may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use AK-Dilate Drops:

Use AK-Dilate Drops as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• AK-Dilate Drops is for use in the eye only. Avoid contact with your nose or mouth.
• To use AK-Dilate Drops, first, wash your hands. Tilt your head back. Using your index finger, pull the lower eyelid away from the eye to form a pouch. Drop the medicine into the pouch and gently close your eyes. Immediately use your finger to apply pressure to the inside corner of the eye for 1 to 2 minutes. Do not blink. Remove excess medicine around your eye with a clean tissue, being careful not to touch your eye. Wash your hands to remove any medicine that may be on them.
• To prevent germs from contaminating your medicine, do not touch the applicator tip to any surface, including your eye. Keep the container tightly closed.
• Do not wear contact lenses while you are using AK-Dilate Drops. Sterilize contact lenses according to the manufacturer's directions and check with your doctor before using them.
• Do not use AK-Dilate Drops if it is brown or contains particles.
• If you miss a dose of AK-Dilate Drops, use it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not use 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use AK-Dilate Drops.

Important safety information:

• Before you have any medical or dental treatments, emergency care, or surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using AK-Dilate Drops.
• Lab tests, including blood pressure, may be performed to monitor your progress or to check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Use AK-Dilate Drops with caution in the ELDERLY because they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially heart problems.
• AK-Dilate Drops is not recommended for use in CHILDREN. Safety and effectiveness have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: It is unknown if AK-Dilate Drops can cause harm to the fetus. If you become pregnant, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using AK-Dilate Drops during pregnancy. It is unknown if AK-Dilate Drops is excreted in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you are using AK-Dilate Drops, check with your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of AK-Dilate Drops:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Burning or stinging of the eye; headache; seeing "floaters."

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); chest pain; confusion; constricted pupil; excitability; fainting; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; numbness of an arm or leg; one-sided weakness; severe or persistent headache; severe stomach pain; sudden severe dizziness, fainting, or vomiting; vision or speech changes.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org/findyour.htm), or emergency room immediately.

Proper storage of AK-Dilate Drops:

Store AK-Dilate Drops at room temperature, between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C), in a tightly closed container. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep AK-Dilate Drops out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about AK-Dilate Drops, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• AK-Dilate Drops is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about AK-Dilate Drops. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.