Eye drops "Okumetil" is a combined anti-inflammatory drug used in ophthalmic diseases. The drug has antiseptic properties, eliminates swelling of the ocular mucosa and signs of irritation of the organs of vision.
Pharmacological effect
According to the instructions, Okumetil is an aqueous solution of zinc sulfate with naphazoline hydrochloride and diphenhydramine hydrochloride, which is used locally in the practice of ophthalmologists. Zinc sulfate has decongestant, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic effects.
Diphenhydramine hydrochloride eliminates allergic manifestations and removes puffiness. Naphazoline hydrochloride is one of the sympathomimetics, produces a vasoconstrictor effect, fights hyperemia and edema of the organs of vision.
The combination of these substances determines such effects of the drug as an anti-inflammatory effect, a decrease in signs of discomfort and eye irritation, and the elimination of allergic manifestations.
The medication after installation is absorbed into the systemic circulation.
Structure
As indicated by the instructions to "Okumetil", the composition of the drug has the following elements:
- Zinc sulfate - has an anti-inflammatory and antiseptic effect.
- Diphenhydramine - due to the specific effect on certain receptors, reduces capillary permeability, preventing and eliminating swelling.
- Nafazolin - has a long and quick vasoconstrictor effect, due to which edema and hyperemia of the mucous membranes of the eye are reduced, excessive vascular permeability is neutralized. This component is an effective tool that bleaches protein.
The first two substances in the composition “Okumetil” enhance the effect of naphazoline, helping to whiten the “tired” eye protein. The blue color of the drug is due to the presence of a blue methylene dye in it. Regarding pharmacokinetics, it should be said that topical administration of the drug leads to systemic absorption. Information on the degree of penetration of it into the eye tissue is missing.
Indications for use
In accordance with the instructions for Okumetil, blue whitening eye drops are used to treat the following conditions and diagnoses:
- Discomfort in the eyes.
- Blepharoconjunctivitis.
- Irritation of the organs of vision in the form of the presence of a foreign body in them, lacrimation, redness and itching.
- Angular conjunctivitis (a process of inflammation of the corners of the eye).
- Atopic conjunctivitis in acute form.
- Chronic conjunctivitis.
- Blepharoconjunctivitis, combined with allergic conjunctivitis.
- Blepharoconjunctivitis, combined with non-specific chronic conjunctivitis.
Indications "Okumetila" are described in detail in the instructions. However, not all patients can use this tool.
Contraindications
Since Okumetil eye drops undergo systemic absorption, their use must be coordinated with the available contraindications, including the following:
- Excessive sensitivity to any of the elements in the composition of the drug.
- Epilepsy.
- Vascular and heart diseases, including atherosclerosis, arterial hypertension and coronary heart disease.
- The patient's age is up to two years.
- Pregnancy and lactation.
- Diabetes.
- Angle-closure glaucoma.
- Bronchial asthma.
- The presence of hyperthyroidism.
- Hyperplasia of the prostate.
- Stenosis of an ulcer of the neck of the bladder, duodenum and stomach.
- Pheochromocytoma.
- Dry Eye Syndrome.
These contraindications must be strictly observed. “Okumetil” is used with caution when using MAO inhibitors or other drugs that can increase blood pressure.
Dosage and possible side effects
If the ophthalmologist does not offer another therapeutic regimen, adults need to instill the medicine in the conjunctival sac of the patient’s eye one drop three times a day. When the three-day treatment period expires and there is no therapeutic effect, it is recommended to stop using the drug and get specialist advice. If the lens is absent (due to trauma or surgery), there is a possibility of maculopathy and central scotoma. In this situation, the drug is not used. Due to possible side effects, it is not recommended for patients to drive vehicles or work on equipment that requires excessive attention during the treatment period. Pathological symptoms with an overdose have not been identified.
To avoid contamination of the solution, it is necessary to exclude the contact of the tip of the bottle with fingers and objects. After opening, eye drops can be used for a month. Analogues of "Okumetil" will be presented below.
Specificity of use in pediatrics
This medication can be used in pediatrics. Dosage and administration of Okumetil for children are similar to those recommended for adult patients. In some people, a few minutes after topical use, the pupils dilate and the vision deteriorates somewhat. These symptoms disappear over time.
Other reactions may also occur:
- Allergic manifestations.
- Burning.
- Paresis of accommodation.
- Swelling of the mucous membrane of the eye.
- Increased blood pressure.
- Reactive hyperemia.
- Defects in motor coordination.
- Drowsiness.
- Weakness.
- Nausea.
- Tachycardia.
- Allergic reaction to ultraviolet.
- Headache.
- Dryness and numbness of the mucous membranes.
- Dizziness.
- Decrease in psychomotor reactions.
If all medical recommendations are followed, then a possible overdose is excluded.
Interaction with other drugs
What else does the instruction for Okumetil tell us? Since there is a possibility of a possible decrease in the effectiveness of drugs and diphenhydramine that stimulate the central nervous system, the use of eye drops is not recommended for patients using drugs of this group.
Undesirable combination of medication with MAO inhibitors. Also, you can not use the drug in question within ten days after the use of inhibitors was stopped. The simultaneous use of beta-blockers and MAO inhibitors with adrenergic agonists is also not recommended.
Since naphazoline stops the absorption of drugs that produce an anesthetic local effect, a combination of local anesthetics used in ophthalmology and Okumetil is not recommended.
In addition, it should be noted that zinc sulfate cannot be combined pharmaceutically with quinine, ichthyol, silver and lead salts, citral, alkaline reactants and protargol.
Analogs of "Okumel"
If the drug “Okumetil” is contraindicated to the patient or unavailable for one reason or another, it can be replaced by analogues: “Octilia” or “Visin”. In addition, similar results can be achieved by using Sanorin-Anallergin, Betadrin, Oftofenazole, Polinamid, Montevizin, Tizin, Spersallerg, VizOptik, Ditadrin.
special instructions
When treating with this drug, it is necessary to drive vehicles very carefully, since within fifteen minutes after its use visual acuity may slightly decrease.
This drug, like any eye drops, needs to be stored in a dark place, in a bottle that is tightly closed. It is also necessary to avoid contact of the tip of the vial with foreign objects, thereby preventing contamination of the solution.
Once the dropper bottle has been opened, the drug can be used for one month.
Drops are sold without a medical prescription. We will review the reviews about Okumetil below.
Patient reviews on the use of eye drops
Patient reviews about this drug are mixed. Most often, its effectiveness is noted - the signs of ophthalmic diseases are quickly eliminated, the condition of patients is noticeably relieved. Drops do their job perfectly. They reduce swelling, clear vision. The only negative is that immediately after use, you may feel a little discomfort in the form of burning, but it disappears after a few seconds.
Some patients are surprised by the blue color of the drug, which looks a little strange, but almost immediately after instillation, they become colorless, its normal state returns to the eye protein, dryness and irritation are eliminated.
The downside is that drops cannot be used by patients who wear contact lenses. In this case, you need to purchase another drug. However, for normal use to relieve puffiness and redness, they will work well.
Despite the positive reviews about Okumetil, there are patients who noted a lack of effectiveness. They claim that due to the use of the medication they have allergic reactions or the condition of the organs of vision has worsened. There are also patients who notice the appearance of a headache after instillation of the drug in the eyes.
It is impossible to use the drug without medical advice and a full examination.