How should I use Luxfen eye drops? The instructions for this drug will be described in detail below. Also, the materials of the article in question provide information on why this tool is necessary, how effective it is, whether it has analogues.
Form and composition
What does a drug like Luxfen (eye drops) contain? The instruction states that this medication contains brimonidine tartrate (the active ingredient), as well as auxiliary elements in the form of benzalkonium chloride, polyvinyl alcohol, sodium chloride, sodium citrate dihydrate, citric acid monohydrate, hydrochloric acid, water and sodium hydroxide.
The agent in question goes on sale in the form of transparent drops for the eyes of a greenish-yellow color. The solution is placed in dropper bottles made of polyethylene and cardboard packs, respectively.
Pharmacology of the local drug
How do Luxfen eye drops work? The instruction reports that the effectiveness of this medication is completely due to its active component. Brimonidine is a selective alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonist.
After installing a 0.2% solution, the pressure drop (intraocular) is approximately 10-11 mm RT. Art. The maximum effect of the medication in question is noted after two hours. In this case, the therapeutic effectiveness of the local medicine is observed for 12 hours.
According to experts, brimonidine has a dual mechanism of action. It can not only reduce pressure (intraocular) by reducing the synthesis of intraocular fluid, but also increase uveoscleral outflow.
Kinetics of eye solution
What kinetic characteristics do Luxfen eye drops have? The instruction says that after instillation of a 0.2% drug solution twice a day for 10 days, its concentration in the blood remains very low (about 0.06 ng / ml).
When installing the medication in question, its highest concentration in the bloodstream is achieved after about 30-95 minutes. The half-life of brimonidine from the human body is about two hours.
Systemic absorption of the active component of the drops is slowed down. When applied topically, the connection with blood proteins is about 29%.
The metabolism of the drug is carried out mainly in the liver.
The active element of this drug, as well as its metabolites, are excreted through the kidneys.
Indications for the use of drops
Are you aware of the purpose for which patients are prescribed Luxfen eye drops, the analogues of which are presented below? According to the attached instructions, this medication is indicated for the treatment of diseases such as:
- ophthalmic hypertension (use as monotherapy, as well as in combination with other agents that reduce intraocular pressure);
- open-angle glaucoma.
Bans for the use of local medicine
What contraindications should not use Luxfen eye drops? The instruction states that the drug in question is prohibited in the following cases:
- while breastfeeding;
- with simultaneous therapy with tricyclic antidepressants and MAO inhibitors;
- under the age of 2 years;
- with increased sensitivity to the substances of the drug.
Cautious appointment
Luxfen Drops, which are more positive reviews, are prescribed with caution to people with thromboangiitis obliterans, an unstable, severe or uncontrolled form of cardiovascular disease, with coronary or cerebral insufficiency, orthostatic hypotension, depression and Raynaud's disease. And also with caution prescribed at a minor age and in case of impaired liver or kidney function.
Luxfen eye drops: instructions for use
This medication is intended for local use only. For the treatment of eye diseases such as ophthalmic hypertension and open-angle glaucoma, a medicine is instilled into the visual organs 1 drop twice a day. The duration of treatment with this tool is determined only by a narrow specialist, that is, an ophthalmologist.
Side effects
Can Luxfen eye drops cause negative reactions? Reviews of patients claim that against the background of the use of the drug, they often had the following undesirable effects:
- conjunctival hyperemia, allergic conjunctivitis, itching of the mucous membrane of the eyes and skin of the eyelids;
- conjunctival folliculosis, burning sensation, follicular conjunctivitis, blepharitis, local allergic reactions of the mucous membrane of the visual organs, including keratoconjunctivitis;
- mucous discharge from the eyes, blepharoconjunctivitis, conjunctival hemorrhage, impaired visual clarity, pain and swelling of the eyelids, cataracts, keratitis, conjunctival edema, eyelid damage, conjunctivitis, lacrimation, retention lacrimation, spotty keratopathy,
- photosensitivity, redness of the eyelids, functional damage to the vitreous, sensation of a foreign body in the visual organs, loss of visual field, decreased visual acuity, vitreous hemorrhage, floating opacities in the vitreous;
- increased blood pressure, corneal erosion, headache, barley, insomnia, decreased blood pressure, drowsiness, bronchitis, dizziness;
- cough, dyspepsia, dry nose, rash, apnea, shortness of breath;
- dry mouth, flu-like syndrome, rhinitis, infectious disease (respiratory infection and chills), sinusitis;
- hypercholesterolemia, asthenia, general allergic reactions, fatigue, bradycardia, change in taste, muscle hypotension, hypothermia;
- iritis, depression, keratoconjunctivitis, tachycardia, miosis, nausea, local skin reactions, including facial swelling, erythema, rash, itching and vasodilation of the vessels of the skin of the eyelids.
Eye overdose
What happens if I take Luxfen eye drops inside? Experts say that if the solution is accidentally swallowed, the following signs of overdose are possible: drowsiness, central nervous system depression, loss of consciousness and depression, bradycardia, decreased blood pressure, skin cyanosis, decreased body temperature and apnea.
With these symptoms, the patient requires supportive symptomatic therapy, as well as monitoring the patency of the respiratory tract.
Interaction with other drugs
Is it possible to combine Luxfen drops with other means? Instructions for use say that brimonidine at a concentration of 2 mg / ml easily enhances the action of substances that affect the central nervous system (this includes: alcohol, opioids, barbiturates, anesthetics and sedatives).
Special care must be taken while taking medications that can affect the metabolism and absorption of adrenaline into the blood, as well as norepinephrine and other biogenic amines (e.g. methylphenidate, chlorpromazine, reserpine).
In some cases, after applying the considered solution at a concentration of 2 mg / ml, a slight decrease in blood pressure is observed in patients. In this regard, special care should be taken with the concomitant use of antihypertensive drugs or drugs belonging to the group of cardiac glycosides.
Breastfeeding and Pregnancy
Can pregnant and lactating women be prescribed Luxfen (eye drops)? The manual states that studies of the effectiveness and safety of the use of this drug in this category of people have not been conducted. It should be noted that in the process of experiments on animals, local use of brimonidine did not lead to any violations of intrauterine development. There is also no exact information about the penetration of this medicine into breast milk when applied topically. Moreover, the risk is not completely excluded.
Special information
Before using eye drops, contact lenses must be removed. The time interval between the use of the drug and the reinstallation of the lens should not be less than ¼ hour.
Due to the fact that the medication in question can cause a state of drowsiness or fatigue, as well as a decrease in clarity of vision, during drug therapy it is necessary to refrain from driving vehicles and servicing dangerous moving mechanisms.
Terms and conditions of storage, vacation medication
Luxfen eye drops are dispensed in pharmacies without a medical prescription. Such a drug should be kept at a temperature not exceeding 25 degrees, out of the reach of children.
The shelf life of the solution is 2 years from the date of production. After opening the bottle, this period is reduced to 4 weeks.
Similar drugs and synonyms
Now you know what a local solution for the eyes is, such as Luxen. Instructions, analogues of this drug are discussed in this article.
If the medication mentioned could not be obtained, then it can be replaced with such a similar remedy as “Clonidine” (eye drops). By its mechanism of action, this drug is very close to the considered one. In addition, it belongs to the same pharmacological subgroup.
As for synonyms, they include such funds as Alfagan R and Alfabrim (eye solutions). Mentioned drugs have the same active substance.
Consumer Reviews
Before purchasing certain medicines, many people study the opinions of other consumers about them. It should be noted that there are a lot of reviews about Luxfen eye drops. Most of them are positive. Those patients for whom Luxfen was appointed as an ophthalmologist claim that this is a very effective and effective drug. Its correct and timely use contributes to the treatment of diseases such as ophthalmic hypertension and open-angle glaucoma. It should be noted immediately that this medication can be used not only as monotherapy, but also in combination with other drugs for the eyes.
Unfortunately, among all the reviews about this medication, you can also find negative messages. Most of them are associated with the development of side effects. The most common negative reactions are: rashes on the eyelids, redness of the mucous membranes of the eyes, asthenia, local allergies and others. When observing such side effects, experts recommend abandoning further therapy. In this case, the patient is better to prescribe another, safer medication.
As for the cost of eye drops, it is different in different pharmacy chains. However, the average price of such a drug is 350-370 rubles. Some patients claim that the mentioned cost of drops is overpriced, while for others it is quite acceptable.