How effective are eye drops “Okumetil”? You can find reviews about the local drug at the end of the article. Also, it will provide information on the purpose for which the medication is used, whether it has side effects and contraindications, what characteristics it has and what is included in its composition.
Description, packaging and composition
Drops "Okumetil", reviews of which are very different in nature, contain the following active ingredients: zinc sulfate, naphazoline hydrochloride and diphenhydramine hydrochloride. Also, the medication under consideration includes such additional components as citric acid, sodium citrate, methylene dye blue, benzalkonium chloride, distilled water, sodium chloride, sodium hydroxide and hypromellose 4000.
Where and in what packaging can I buy Okumetil Eye Drops? Patient reviews report that this medication is sold in any pharmacies. It can also be ordered online.
According to the instructions, this drug goes on sale in the form of a clear solution of blue in plastic dropper bottles 5 and 10 ml.
The pharmacological action of a local agent
What are drops "Okumetil"? Reviews of doctors about the effectiveness of this tool are presented below. And the instruction says that this drug is intended for local use in ophthalmic diseases of various origins.
Thanks to the components that make up the drug, “Okumetil” helps reduce eyelid swelling. This happens by narrowing the vessels and blocking the histamine receptors.
Drug properties
When do they prescribe and what determines the effectiveness of Okumetil drops? Reviews of experts report that this drug is very often used for various eye diseases. It contributes to a good therapeutic result due to its combined composition.
- When applied topically, zinc sulfate has not only anti-inflammatory, but also an antiseptic effect.
- Diphenhydramine blocks H1-histamine receptors, preventing tissue edema, reducing capillary permeability and eliminating pain.
- In its structure, naphazoline belongs to sympathomimetics. In this regard, its regular use in various ophthalmic diseases helps to reduce swelling of tissues, as well as hyperemia of the mucous membrane.
Kinetic characteristics
Do drops of Okumetil get into the bloodstream, reviews of which are more positive? When used locally, this medication is absorbed quite well. There is currently no other information on the kinetic properties of the drug, including the degree of its penetration into the eye tissue.
Indications
What are the drops of "Okumetil" prescribed for? Reviews of experts say that this drug helps well with various ophthalmic diseases. Thus, it is often used for:
- allergic conjunctivitis;
- chronic nonspecific conjunctivitis;
- blepharoconjunctivitis;
- angular conjunctivitis.
It should also be noted that the drug in question can be prescribed in order to reduce signs of irritation of the eye tissue, as well as eliminate local redness, itching and sensation of a foreign body.
Contraindications
Do drops of “Okumetil” have contraindications? Reviews of doctors say that, despite the apparent simplicity, this medication has a fairly large number of prohibitions on the use. According to the instructions, contraindications to the use of this tool are:
- children's age up to two years;
- pregnancy period;
- hypersensitivity to active and additional substances of the drug;
- lactation period.
It is also not recommended to use this medicine for the following diseases:
- angle-closure glaucoma;
- bronchial asthma;
- epileptic seizures;
- pheochromocytoma;
- various diseases of the digestive tract;
- hypertension;
- dry eye syndrome;
- disruption of the thyroid gland;
- heart and vascular diseases;
- atherosclerosis;
- arterial hypertension;
- diabetes.
Mode of application
How to use drops "Okumetil"? Reviews of ophthalmologists indicate that this drug is intended only for local use.
In the absence of special doctor's prescriptions, the medicine is instilled one drop in each affected eye (conjunctival sac) three times a day.
If within 72 hours a decrease in symptoms is not observed, then you should cancel the drug yourself and consult an ophthalmologist.
Side effects
Most often, with the use of "Okumetil", patients have a slight burning of the eyes. Various allergic reactions may also occur and short-term blurred vision may occur.
In patients with an aphakic eye (lack of a lens), the use of this drug can provoke the development of maculopathy and central scotoma. If such side effects occur, the drops are immediately canceled.
It should also be noted that the drug "Okumetil" can cause:
- headache;
- reactive hyperemia;
- increase in blood pressure;
- nausea
- tachycardia;
- drowsiness;
- paresis of accommodation;
- photosensitivity;
- feeling of weakness;
- dryness and numbness of the mucous membrane;
- dizziness;
- impaired coordination of movements.
Special recommendations
Does the drug “Okumetil” affect the patient’s ability to drive vehicles? Reviews (it is undesirable to use lenses during treatment with this agent) doctors do not give any information on this. As for the instructions, she reports that within ¼ hour after the installation of the medication, the patient's visual acuity may decrease. In this regard, in the indicated period of time it is not recommended to drive a car and engage in hazardous activities.
To avoid contamination of the solution, the vial should be stored in a tightly closed form, and also avoid contact of its tip with any surface.
Analogs and cost
You can buy drops for the eyes "Okumetil" for 120-150 rubles. If this drug is contraindicated for you, then it can be replaced (after consulting with an ophthalmologist) by such means as “Visin” or “Octilia”.
Reviews
Reviews of patients about eye drops "Okumetil" is very mixed. Most patients report that this drug quite effectively copes with the task. It very quickly eliminates all the symptoms of ophthalmic diseases, significantly alleviating the patient's condition.
However, another category of patients claims that Okumetil does not show any therapeutic effect. Moreover, sometimes it contributes to the appearance of allergic reactions, and also exacerbates the already difficult state of a person.
In connection with the foregoing, doctors conclude that the drug in question has different effects on different people. Therefore, using it at your discretion is not recommended. Before instilling a medication, you should definitely contact an ophthalmologist, who is obliged to conduct a full examination of the patient.