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Summary of Hints On How To Use Eye Drops, Page 3

11 Reconstitution:
purple bullet Some eye drops have to be reconstituted (mixed up) by the pharmacist - get to know which ones as they will often have a stable life of 30 days, should be stored appropriately and should be replaced promptly after the recommended time.

purple bullet Timpilo® ensure mixed because will only receive one drug

purple bullet Phospholine Iodide® requires refrigeration all the time

12. Shaking
purple bullet Some medications require shaking to redisperse the active ingredient. Eg Prednefrin Forte® needs a good shaking. Timoptol® XE Gel requires just one shake.

purple bullet Too vigorous shaking may introduce bubbles into the nozzle and cause delivery of a smaller drop of medication than desired.

purple bullet Check with your doctor or pharmacist.

13. Safety
purple bullet As with all other medications, do not share with others - they may not have the right effect and they may be dangerous even though the condition seems the same as yours.

purple bullet Use your drops in your eyes only, as it is possible to spread infections from one person to another.

14. Repeat Prescriptions
purple bullet From Hospital or Community Pharmacist - not all at once

purple bullet costly for whoever is paying - the Hospital or the Health Insurance Commission

purple bullet there may be a change in medication and returns are not permitted - no guarantee of correct storage conditions

purple bullet can lead to stockpiling and waste

15. Aids to Administration
purple bulletThere are a number of devices to assist in aiming the drops correctly into the eye.

purple bullet eg Autodropper® or others available through support groups.

purple bullet Check with your doctor or pharmacist.

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