If you also use an eye ointment, always use your eye drops first and wait 5 minutes before using the ointment. 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). If irritation, pain, redness and changes in vision occur, or worsen, treatment should be discontinued and a new assessment considered. Single-dose droppers should usually be used as soon as you open them. But you can reseal some brands and use them again up to 12 hours later, for example Carmize, Cellusan and Melophthal.

Repeat in your other eye if you need to. There is enough liquid in 1 single-dose dropper to put a drop in both eyes if needed. The following adverse reactions have been identified during clinical studies of 0.5% w/v and 1.0% w/v Celluvisc Eye drops, solution, unit dose. 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. Summary of Product Characteristics: Celluvisc 0.5% w/v eye drops solution. Allergan Ltd. Revised May 2010.Drugs During Pregnancy and Lactation: Treatment Options and Risk Assessment, 2nd edition (2007) ed. Schaefer, C., Peters, P. and Miller, R. Elsevier, London. Make sure that the single-dose container is intact before use. The solution should be used immediately after opening. To avoid contamination or possible eye injury, do not let the open-end of the single-dose container touch your eye or anything else. Wash your hands before use. If you find it hard to use eye drops, ask a pharmacist for advice. They may be able to recommend an eye drop dispenser. Using eye drops correctly can be difficult, but there are several useful devices (compliance aids) available to help. Speak to your pharmacist to see which device would best suit your eye drops. Brands include,Autodrop, Opticare and Drop Aid Single Dose. Expiry dates and storage

Please take care that the dropper doesn't touch your eye, your fingers, or any other surface. This could contaminate the drops left in the bottle. Concomitant ocular medication should be administered 15 minutes prior to the instillation of carmellose sodium eye drops. The frequency of adverse reactions documented during clinical trials is given. The frequency is defined as follows: Very Common (≥ 1/10); Common (≥1/100, <1/10); Uncommon (≥1/1,000, <1/100); Rare (≥1/10,000, <1/1,000); Very Rare (<1/10,000), not known (cannot be estimated from the available data). The recommended dose is 1-2 drops of CELLUVISC ® in the affected eye/each affected eye, 4 times a day or as often as needed. The following additional adverse reactions have been identified during postmarketing use of Celluvisc in clinical practice. Because postmarketing reporting of these reactions is voluntary and from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate the frequency of these reactions.Hold the bottle or dropper over your eye, look up, and allow 1 drop to fall into your lower eyelid. The usual dose for adults and children is 1 drop into the affected eye(s), 4 times a day, or as needed.

Carmellose sodium is a high molecular weight substance widely used as an excipient in oral and topical pharmaceutical formulations, also in cosmetics, toiletries and food products. Make sure the tip of the bottle or dropper does not touch anything, including your eye, eyelashes, eyelid or your skin. Common: Eye irritation (including burning and discomfort), eye pain, eye pruritus, visual disturbance. 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). blink regularly (ask your doctor or eye specialist for advice on blinking exercises if you need them)

8. Common questions about carmellose sodium

It is strongly recommended that the UK National Poisons Information Service be consulted on cases of suspected or actual overdose where there is doubt over the degree of risk or about appropriate management. Carmellose sodium comes in a bottle with an eye dropper, or as a box of single-dose droppers. The single-dose droppers do not contain preservatives. How to use the eye drops If you’re using a bottle, remove the lid. If you’re using the single-dose dropper, twist the top off.

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 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. 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. Carmellose sodium eye drops can be stored at room temperature and do not need to be kept in a fridge. What if I forget to use it? If you use carmellose sodium with other eye drops, wait at least 5 minutes before using your other eye drops. The second eye drops can wash out the carmellose sodium and it may not work as well.Close your eye. Gently press your finger over the inside corner of your eye (over the eyelid) for about 1 minute. This helps to keep the drop in your eye. Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via Yellow Card Scheme Uncommon: Superficial injury of eye ( from the vial tip touching the eye during administration) and/or corneal abrasion Use one drop into the eye (or eyes) affected by dryness. Many people find it is sufficient to use the drops three or four times a day, but you can use the drops more frequently if your eyes are very dry. If the drops have been prescribed for you then follow the directions given by your doctor. Advise patients that instillation of eye drops may cause transient blurring of vision and to avoid driving or operating machinery until vision is clear.