Type of medicine: mast cell stabilizer
Generic and brand names: lodoxamide tromethamine, ophthalmic; Alomide
This medicine, in the form of eyedrops, is used to treat certain eye allergies and inflammation.
Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had an allergic reaction to any medicine or to benzalkonium chloride (a preservative). Tell your provider if you wear contact lenses.
Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.
Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Use 1 or 2 drops in the affected eye or eyes 4Â times a day, or as prescribed by your healthcare provider.
Wash your hands before putting medicine in your eyes. Tilt your head back, and gently pull your lower eyelid down to form a pouch. Hold the dropper directly above your eye, look up, and squeeze a drop into the pouch. Close your eye for a minute or two and with a fingertip, press gently on the inside corner of your eye to keep the medicine from draining out. If you have been instructed to use 2 drops per dose, wait 5 minutes after putting in the first drop to allow it to be absorbed.
To keep from contaminating the medicine, do not let the tip of the dropper touch your eye or any other surface. After use, put the cap on tightly. Do not rinse the dropper. Do not use the medicine if it becomes discolored.
If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and use the next one as directed. Do not use double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.
An acute overdose of this medicine is not likely to cause life-threatening symptoms. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center at 800-222-1222.
You may feel stinging or burning in your eye when you use this medicine. If these symptoms continue, contact your healthcare provider.
Do not wear soft contact lenses while using this medicine. Ask your healthcare provider about this.
This medicine may temporarily blur your vision. Do not drive or operate machinery until you can see clearly.
If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are using this medicine.
Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.
Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away). If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; chest pain or tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).
Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Continuous or severe burning or pain your eye after applying drops, rash.
Other: Temporary stinging or burning, itching, tearing, warm feeling in the eye, blurred vision, red or dry eyes, feeling that something is in the eye, headache, dizziness, nausea, sneezing, sensitivity to light.
No significant drug interactions have been reported. However, if you are using other medicines in your eyes, use them at least 10 minutes before or after you use this medicine.
If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.
Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.
This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.
Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.
Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Do not share medicines with other people.
