To be used as a topical ocular anaesthetic.

Adults (including the elderly) and children:

Deep anaesthesia: Instil 1 drop every 5 - 10 minutes for 5 - 7 applications.

Removal of sutures: Instil 1 or 2 drops 2 to 3 minutes before removal of stitches.

Removal of foreign bodies: Instil 1 or 2 drops prior to operating.

Tonometry: Instil 1 or 2 drops immediately before measurement.

Do not use if the solution is more than pale yellow in colour.

Each Minims unit should be discarded after a single use

A period of at least one minute should be allowed after administration of Minims Proxymetacaine hydrochloride 0.5%, before subsequent administration of other topical agents.

Do not use in patients with a known hypersensitivity to any component of the preparation.

In view of the immaturity of the enzyme system which metabolises the ester type local anaesthetics in premature babies, this product should be avoided in these patients.

This product should be used cautiously and sparingly in patients with known allergies, cardiac disease or hyperthyroidism because of the increased risk of sensitivity reactions.

This product is not intended for long term use. Regular and prolonged use of topical ocular anaesthetics e.g. in conjunction with contact lens insertion, may cause softening and erosion of the corneal epithelium, which could produce corneal opacification with accompanying loss of vision.

Minims Proxymetacaine hydrochloride is not miscible with fluorescein, however, fluorescein can be added to the eye after it has been anaesthetised with Minims Proxymetacaine hydrochloride.

Protection of the eye from rubbing, irritating chemicals and foreign bodies during the period of anaesthesia is very important. Patients should be advised to avoid touching the eye until the anaesthesia has worn off.

Tonometers soaked in sterilising or detergent solutions should be thoroughly rinsed with sterile distilled water prior to use.

Systemic absorption may be reduced by compressing the lacrimal sac at the medial canthus for a minute during and following instillation of the drops. (This blocks the passage of the drops via the naso lacrimal duct to the wide absorptive area of the nasal and pharyngeal mucosa. It is especially advisable in children).

Use with caution in an inflamed eye as hyperaemia greatly increases the rates of systemic absorption through the conjunctiva.

None stated.

Safety for use in pregnancy and lactation has not been established, therefore, use only when considered essential by the physician.

May cause transient blurring of vision on instillation. Warn patients not to drive or operate hazardous machinery unless vision is clear.

Pupillary dilatation or cycloplegic effects have rarely been observed with Proxymetacaine hydrochloride preparations. Irritation of the conjunctiva or other toxic reactions have occurred only rarely. A severe, immediate-type apparently hyperallergic corneal reaction may rarely occur. This includes acute, intense and diffuse epithelial keratitis; a grey ground-glass appearance; sloughing of large areas of necrotic epithelium; corneal filaments and sometimes, iritis with descemetitis.

Not applicable.

Proxymetacaine hydrochloride, in common with other local anaesthetics, reversibly blocks the initiation and conduction of nerve impulses by decreasing the permeability of the neuronal membrane to sodium ions.

The delay to onset of effect, duration of effect and potency of Proxymetacaine hydrochloride are similar to those of amethocaine.

Proxymetacaine hydrochloride is readily absorbed into the systemic circulation where, in common with other ester-type local anaesthetics, it is hydrolysed by plasma esterases. Proxymetacaine hydrochloride is also subject to hepatic metabolism.

No adverse safety issues were identified during the development of this formulation. The ingredients are well established in clinical ophthalmology.

Purified water

Hydrochloric acid

Sodium hydroxide

None known.

2 years.

Store at 2 - 8° C. Do not freeze. Keep container in the outer carton.

If necessary, the product may be stored at temperatures not exceeding 25° C for up to 1 month only.

A sealed conical shaped polypropylene container fitted with a twist and pull off cap. Each Minims unit contains approximately 0.5ml of solution. Each unit is overwrapped in a polyethylene sachet. 20 units are packed into a suitable carton.

Each Minims unit should be discarded after a single use

If the product is to be stored unrefrigerated at temperatures not exceeding 25° C, prior to supply of the product by the pharmacy the adhesive label provided in the carton should be completed and affixed over the bar code, by a pharmacist. An expiry date one month from the supply date, plus the pharmacist's initials, should be written in the spaces provided on this label.