Tetrahydrozoline
About
Tetrahydrozoline belongs to the class of medication called ‘ophthalmic agents’ primarily used for the relief of redness of the eye due to minor eye irritations. Red eyes occur when the vessels in your eye become swollen or irritated.
Tetrahydrozoline contains Tetrahydrozoline, a decongestant that temporarily narrows the blood vessels in the eye. Thus, it helps to relieve the redness of the eye due to minor eye irritations.
Use Tetrahydrozoline as recommended by a health care professional. Tetrahydrozoline is only for use in the eyes. In some cases, you may experience eye pain, irritation, blurred vision, and temporary mydriasis (dilation of the eye pupil). Most of these side effects of Tetrahydrozoline do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
Before taking the Tetrahydrozoline, inform your doctor about all your medical conditions, sensitivities, and medications you are using. Tetrahydrozoline should be avoided if you are allergic to any components in Tetrahydrozoline. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, do not use the Tetrahydrozoline without consulting a doctor. Tetrahydrozoline may temporarily blur your vision; therefore, wait until your vision is back to normal before using any machinery or driving. You are advised to remove contact lenses before using the Tetrahydrozoline. You are recommended to maintain a time gap of a minimum of 15 minutes between using Tetrahydrozoline and other eye medicines. Stop using and consult the doctor if you feel eye pain, vision changes occur, or redness or irritation of the eye worsens your condition.
Uses of Tetrahydrozoline
Medicinal Benefits
Tetrahydrozoline contains Tetrahydrozoline, a decongestant. It is primarily used for the relief of the symptoms of eye redness. It works by temporarily narrowing the blood vessels in the eye. Thus, it helps to relieve the redness of the eye due to minor eye irritations.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Tetrahydrozoline
- Eye pain
- Irritation
- Blurred vision
- Temporary mydriasis (dilation of the pupil of the eye)
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Do not use Tetrahydrozoline if you are allergic to any components present in it. Seek medical advice if you have vision issues, severe eye pain, glaucoma (high blood pressure in the eye), eye damage, or eye surgery before using the Tetrahydrozoline. Do not use Tetrahydrozoline without consulting the doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Tetrahydrozoline should be used for children only if advised by the doctor. Drive only if your vision is clear, as Tetrahydrozoline may cause temporary blurred vision immediately after use. You are advised to remove contact lenses before using the Tetrahydrozoline. If your condition does not improve after using Tetrahydrozoline for 2 to 3 days, or if irritation persists or increases, consult a physician. You are recommended to maintain a time gap of a minimum of 15 minutes between using Tetrahydrozoline and other eye medicines.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Tetrahydrozoline may interact with medications used to manage and treat headaches and migraines (e.g. dihydroergotamine, ergotamine) and certain medications used to prevent or treat uterine bleeding (ergonovine, methylergonovine).
Drug-Food Interactions: No interactions found or established.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Tetrahydrozoline may interact with various disease conditions, including narrow-angle glaucoma, ocular infection or trauma, prostate disorder, hypertension or cardiac disease, hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) and diabetes mellitus.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionNo interaction was found. However, it is advisable not to take or limit alcohol as a precautionary measure.
Pregnancy
cautionThe safety of Tetrahydrozoline in pregnant women is unknown. Therefore, please consult your doctor; your doctor will weigh the benefits and potential risks before prescribing this medicine.
Breast Feeding
cautionConsult the doctor if you are breastfeeding. A decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or the medicine, considering the importance of the treatment to the mother.
Driving
cautionTetrahydrozoline may cause temporary blurred vision immediately after use. Therefore, avoid driving until your vision is clear after taking Tetrahydrozoline.
Liver
cautionLimited information was available about using Tetrahydrozoline in patients with liver disease. Inform your doctor before receiving the Tetrahydrozoline if you have a history of liver diseases/conditions. Your doctor will prescribe only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Kidney
cautionLimited information was available about using Tetrahydrozoline in patients with kidney disease. Inform your doctor before receiving the Tetrahydrozoline if you have a history of kidney diseases/conditions. Your doctor will prescribe only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Children
safe if prescribedIt can be used safely in children as directed by the physician.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Always wash your hands before applying contact lenses.
- To prevent digital strain, look away every 20 minutes for 20 seconds at something 20 feet away.
- Reduce screen time. Avoid staring at digital screens for a long time.
- Avoid touching your eyes with dirty hands as it might cause infection.
- It is advised to avoid contact with known allergens (allergy-causing agents) such as pollen, dust, etc.
- Use only scent-free detergents and soaps.
- Install an air purifier at home.
- Regularly vacuum and dust.
- Limit the carpets, curtains, soft toys and soft furnishings at home.
- Maintain personal hygiene and keep your surroundings clean.
Special Advise
- Regular eye check-ups are advised before and during the treatment if you have eye problems.
- Protect your eyes from bright light, especially when pupils are dilated.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Eye redness: Eye redness refers to a red appearance of the normally white part of the eye. The eye looks red or bloodshot because blood vessels on the eye's surface widen (dilate), bringing extra blood into the eye. Blood vessels can dilate due to Infection, Allergy and Inflammation caused by something other than an infection.
FAQs
Tetrahydrozoline contains Tetrahydrozoline, a decongestant that temporarily narrows the blood vessels in the eye. Thus, it helps to relieve the redness of the eye due to minor eye irritations.
Tetrahydrozoline might cause blurred vision, which might last for several hours.
Depending on the dose of the eye drops and the individual patient, the effects can last up to six hours. People with lighter eyes experience the effects of the drops for a longer period of time than those with darker eyes.
Caution is advised in patients with Closed-angle glaucoma. So please do not use it on your own unless prescribed by the doctor.
You are recommended to maintain a minimum 5-minute time gap between using Tetrahydrozoline and other eye drops. However, please consult a doctor before using other medicines with Tetrahydrozoline.
You are not recommended to wear contact lenses while using Tetrahydrozoline as it contains benzalkonium chloride, a preservative that changes the colour of the contact lens as a soft contact lens may absorb it. Therefore, you are advised to remove contact lenses before applying Tetrahydrozoline and reinsert after 15 minutes of using Tetrahydrozoline.
