Patient Leaflet Updated 15-Mar-2021 | Martindale Pharma, an Ethypharm Group Company
Hypromellose 0.3% w/v Eye Drops (FAMAR)
Hypromellose 0.3% w/v Eye Drops
hypromellose
1. What Hypromellose Eye Drops are and what they are used for
2. What you need to know b efore you use Hypromellose Eye Drops
3. How to use Hypromellose Eye Drops
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Hypromellose Eye Drops
6. Contents of the pack and other information
Hypromellose, is an artificial tear used to relieve dry eye conditions (e.g. conditions associated with the use of VDUs and TVs, infrequent blinking, certain medical treatments, atmospheric pollution and drying atmospheres e.g. air-conditioning, central heating, wind and sun). It is also used to moisten hard contact lenses and to lubricate artificial eyes.
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using Hypromellose
If any of the above apply to you, stop using Hypromellose Eye Drops and contact your doctor immediately.
If you are unsure about taking this medicine or you have any questions, go and talk to your doctor first and follow the advice given.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are using, have recently used or might use any other medicines.
Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are applying any other type of eye drops or eye ointment before you start to use this medicine.
If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine.
Hypromellose may cause a temporary blurring of vision immediately after using the drops. Do not drive or operate machines if you experience any visual disturbance after using the product. Wait until this clears before driving or using machines.
This medicine contains 0.20 mg/ml benzalkonium chloride as preservative. Benzalkonium chloride may be absorbed by soft contact lenses and may change the colour of the contact lenses.
You should remove contact lenses before using this medicine and put them back 15 minutes afterwards.
Benzalkonium chloride may also cause eye irritation, especially if you have dry eyes or disorders of the cornea (the clear layer at the front of the eye). If you feel abnormal eye sensation, stinging or pain in the eye after using this medicine, talk to your doctor.
Always use Hypromellose Eye Drops exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. You should check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
The recommended dose is one or two drops three times daily as needed, or as directed by your doctor. If you are using in combination with another eye drop medicine, wait 5-15 minutes before applying the second eye drops.
1. Before opening a new bottle of Hypromellose Eye Drops, please check that the safety strip on the bottom of the outer cap is unbroken.
2. Twist the outer cap to break the seal.
3. Wash your hands well before use.
4. Remove the outer cap. If you are putting in the drops yourself, you should use a mirror.
5. Tilt your head back and look up at the ceiling.
6. Pull the lower lid of the eye out to form a small pocket between your eyelid and your eye.
7. Hold the bottle between the thumb and middle finger of the other hand, turn the bottle upside down near to the eye, try not to touch the eye with the nozzle.
8. Apply enough pressure to the container to release one to two drops, as directed by your doctor.
9. Blink your eye a few times.
10. If you think that you have missed the eye, then insert another drop.
11. Repeat steps 5-10 for the other eye if you have been told to use Hypromellose Eye Drops in both eyes.
12. Replace the outer cap on the container, trying not to touch the applicator tip with anything, including the eye or your fingers.
13. Wash your hands
If you are unsure about how to use Hypromellose Eye Drops talk to your doctor or pharmacist. Eye solutions, if handled wrongly, can become contaminated by common bacteria and cause eye infections. If you do develop any other eye condition whilst using this product, see your doctor immediately.
The usual dose is 1 or 2 drops placed in each eye three times daily, however this may vary depending on the amount of lubrication needed.
If there is no improvement see your doctor or pharmacist.
Hypromellose Eye Drops are for external use only.
It can be washed out of your eye with warm water. It will not cause you any harm. If you are worried then talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Apply the drops as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.
You should speak to your doctor or pharmacist, if you want to stop taking Hypromellose.
If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Like all medicines, Hypromellose Eye Drops can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. Possible side effects include:
These effects should wear off after a short time. If these effects persist or get worse, or you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet stop using Hypromellose Eye Drops and talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.
By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
Keep out of the sight and reach of children.
Make sure the container is properly closed after each use.
Store below 25°C.
Do not use Hypromellose Eye Drops after the expiry date which is printed on the label. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
Dispose of this medicine four weeks after opening.
Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.
The active substance is hypromellose 0.3%w/v
The other ingredients are purified water, sodium chloride, potassium chloride, borax, boric acid, benzalkonium chloride solution. It may also contain sodium hydroxide or hydrochloric acid.
Hypromellose Eye Drops are a clear, colourless solution supplied in a plastic bottle with a dropper nozzle and a tamper proof cap. Each bottle contains 10ml of sterile solution.
If you would like any more information, or would like the leaflet in a different format, please contact Medical Information at the above address.
Product licence numbers:
Hypromellose Eye Drops BPC 0.3%w/v
PL 0156/0069 HK 22087
This leaflet was last updated February 2021
D05479
Jupiter House, Mercury Park, Wooburn Green, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, HP10 0HH, UK
+44 (0) 1277 266 600
