Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine. If you forget to use your eye drops, use them when you need them next or when it’s time for your next dose. What if I use too much? At the time of writing there is limited published experience regarding the safety of carmellose sodium in human pregnancy, however, carmellose sodium eye drops have been used for many years with no adverse effects reported and the manufacturer states no special precautions are necessary during pregnancy. Schaefer advises that artificial tears may be used for all appropriate indications during pregnancy (Schaefer 2007). Warning: There is a fire risk with paraffin-based eye ointments. Keep them away from heat, lights, and naked flames.

HOURS OF USAGE: cost effective since most single dose units need to be disposed of immediately after usage. Not currently used. We intend to include this TLS in future to highlight where a decision to use this medicine is under review.

8. Common questions about carmellose sodium

At the time of writing there is limited published experience regarding the safety of carmellose sodium in breastfeeding, however, carmellose sodium eye drops have been used for many years with no adverse effects reported and the manufacturer states no special precautions are necessary during breastfeeding. Carmellose has a high molecular weight and would be unlikely to be present in breastmilk. Schaefer considers that most eye drops are compatible with breastfeeding and that artificial tears are not amongst those ophthalmic preparations likely to raise concern (Schaefer 2007). Neonates, infants born prematurely, those with low birth weight, those with an unstable gastrointestinal function or who have serious illnesses may require special consideration. For any infant, if a drug is prescribed to the nursing mother, it should be at the lowest practical dose and for the shortest time. When drug administration is unavoidable and breastfeeding is to continue, minimisation of exposure of the infant to the drug may sometimes be achieved by timing the maternal doses to just after a feeding episode. Infants exposed to drugs via breast milk should be monitored for unusual signs or symptoms. Interactions between the drug received by the infant from the mother's milk and medication prescribed for the infant should also be considered, for example, when the drug given to the infant may prevent metabolism of the drug received via breast milk. Use the carmellose sodium eye drops within the expiry date on the bottle. Use them within 4 weeks of opening, unless your drops come with different instructions. This will help to prevent the risk of eye infections and the eye drops not working so well. Ask a pharmacist if you are not sure. Sodium chloride 5% (preserved)eyedrops for patients with corneal oedema or corneal erosions on the advice of a Consultant Ophthalmologist.

Drugs During Pregnancy and Lactation: Treatment Options and Risk Assessment, 2nd edition (2007) ed. Schaefer, C., Peters, P. and Miller, R. Elsevier, London. If you’re using a bottle, remove the lid. If you’re using the single-dose dropper, twist the top off.If your eye irritation persists or gets worse after using these drops, or you experience a headache, eye pain, vision changes or continued redness, you should stop using these eye drops and consult your doctor. soaking a flannel in warm water (not hot) and gently press it on the area around your eyes – this makes the oil produced by the glands around your eyes more runny If you forget to use the drops at your 'usual' time, do not worry, just put them in when you remember. Do not 'double up' the number of drops you use to make up for forgetting to use them. The following additional adverse reactions have been identified during postmarketing use of Celluvisc 1.0% in clinical practice.