DrugindexOnline^{2nd edition}

Generic Name: Apraclonidine Ophthalmic Solution (1%) (app-rah-KLOE-nih-deen)
Brand Name: Iopidine

Apraclonidine Solution is used for:

Controlling or preventing high fluid pressure within the eye following certain types of eye surgery.

Apraclonidine Solution is an alpha-adrenergic agonist. It works by decreasing fluid formation inside the eye, which helps to lower the pressure inside the eye.

Do NOT use Apraclonidine Solution if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Apraclonidine Solution or to similar medicines (eg, clonidine)
• you are taking or have taken a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor (eg, phenelzine) within the last 14 days

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

Before using Apraclonidine Solution:

Some medical conditions may interact with Apraclonidine Solution. 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 recently had a heart attack or you have a history of heart disease or other heart problems, high or low blood pressure, blood vessel problems, brain blood vessel problems (eg, stroke), kidney problems, or liver problems
• if you have a history of rapid fall in heart rate or blood pressure

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

• Barbiturates (eg, phenobarbital), narcotic pain medicine (eg, codeine), or tricyclic antidepressants (eg, amitriptyline) because the risk of drowsiness may be increased
• Beta-blocker eye drops (eg, timolol), beta-blockers (eg, propranolol), digoxin, or medicines for high blood pressure because side effects such as low blood pressure and slow heartbeat may be increased by Apraclonidine Solution
• MAO inhibitors (eg, phenelzine) because the risk of high blood pressure may be increased

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Apraclonidine Solution 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 Apraclonidine Solution:

Use Apraclonidine Solution as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Apraclonidine Solution is for use in the eye only. Avoid contact with other mucous membranes.
• To use Apraclonidine Solution, 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.
• Wait 5 minutes before using any additional eye drop medicines to prevent Apraclonidine Solution from being washed out of the eye.
• If you miss a dose of Apraclonidine Solution, contact your doctor immediately.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use this medicine.

Important safety information:

• Apraclonidine Solution may cause drowsiness, dizziness, or blurred vision. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to Apraclonidine Solution. Using Apraclonidine Solution alone, with certain other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or perform other potentially dangerous tasks.
• Avoid drinking alcohol or taking other medications that cause drowsiness (eg, sedatives, tranquilizers) while taking Apraclonidine Solution. Apraclonidine Solution will add to the effects of alcohol and other depressants. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines are depressants.
• Apraclonidine Solution may be harmful if swallowed. If you or someone you know may have taken Apraclonidine Solution by mouth, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately.
• Use Apraclonidine Solution with extreme caution in CHILDREN. Safety and effectiveness have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant while taking Apraclonidine Solution, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Apraclonidine Solution during pregnancy. It is unknown if Apraclonidine Solution is excreted in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while using Apraclonidine Solution.

Possible side effects of Apraclonidine Solution:

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:

Dry eye, mouth, or nose.

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

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); blurred vision; dizziness; drowsiness; eye pain, redness, itching, or swelling; foreign body sensation; light sensitivity; swelling of the eyelids; tearing or discharge from the eye; weakness.

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. Symptoms of oral ingestion may include drowsiness; lower body temperature (hypothermia); slow or irregular heartbeat.

Proper storage of Apraclonidine Solution:

Store Apraclonidine Solution between 34 and 77 degrees F (2 and 25 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Apraclonidine Solution out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Apraclonidine Solution, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Apraclonidine Solution 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 Apraclonidine Solution. 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.