naphazoline ophthalmic (Rx, OTC)

Frequency Not Defined

Blurred vision

Mild transient stinging and/or irritation

Mydriasis

Increased or decreased intraocular pressure

Headache

Contraindications

Narrow angle glaucoma

Anatomic narrow angle

Hypersensitivity

Cautions

Use with caution in patients with hypertension, cardiovascular abnormalities, diabetes mellitus, hyperthyroidism, infection, or injury

Stop use if vision changes, eye pain, or condition worsens

Concurrent use with MAO inhibitors may cause hypertensive crisis

Use in children, especially infants, may result in CNS depression leading to coma and marked reduction in body temperature

Advice patients to discontinue drug and consult physician if relief not obtained within 48 hours of therapy, if irritation, blurring or redness persists or increases, or if symptoms of systemic absorption occur, eg, dizziness, headache, nausea, decrease in body temperature, or drowsiness

To prevent contaminating dropper tip and solution, do not touch any surface, the eyelids or surrounding area with dropper tip of the bottle; if solution changes color or becomes cloudy, do not use

Drug interaction overview

• Concurrent use of maprotiline or tricyclic antidepressants may potentiate the pressor effect of naphazoline; patients under therapy with MAO inhibitors may experience a severe hypertensive crisis if given a sympathomimetic drug

Pregnancy

Animal reproduction studies not conducted; it is not known whether this drug can cause harm when administered to pregnant women or can affect reproduction capacity; administer to a pregnant women only if clearly needed

Lactation

Not known whether this drug is excreted in human milk; because many drugs are excreted in human milk, use caution when therapy administered to nursing women

Pregnancy Categories

A: Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.

B: May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk.

C: Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done.

D: Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk.

X: Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist.

NA: Information not available.

Mechanism of Action

May produce vasoconstriction by stimulating alpha-adrenergic receptors in the arterioles of the conjunctiva and nasal mucosa

May produce mydriasis when applied to the conjunctiva, but this effect is usually minimal with the concentrations used as ocular decongestants

Pharmcokinetics

Absorption: Minimal (systemic)

Onset: Within 10 min

Duration: 2-6 hr