Naphcon-A Eye Drops: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Naphcon-A Eye Drops combine naphazoline, a decongestant, with pheniramine, an antihistamine. They are used for short-term relief of eye redness and itching caused by allergies, including symptoms from ragweed, pollen, grass, or animal dander and hair. The drops also relieve puffiness and watering that often occur with allergic eye conditions. They are not meant for long-term use and should be used for no longer than 3 to 4 days in a row.

What is Naphcon-A Eye Drops

Naphcon-A is an eye drop that combines a decongestant (naphazoline) and an antihistamine (pheniramine). It is used for short-term relief of eye redness and itching caused by allergies.

Naphcon-A Eye Drops uses

• Temporary relief of minor eye redness or itching caused by ragweed, pollen, grass, or animal dander and hair
• Relief of eye redness, puffiness, itching, and watering that commonly occur with allergies
• Relief of ocular irritation and/or congestion, or treatment of allergic or inflammatory ocular conditions

Benefits of Naphcon-A Eye Drops

• Helps relieve red, itchy eyes caused by allergies.
• Helps relieve watery eyes associated with allergic conjunctivitis.
• Provides temporary relief from eye symptoms triggered by pollen, dust, pet dander, or other allergens.

How Naphcon-A Eye Drops works

Naphazoline narrows swollen blood vessels in the eye to reduce redness. Pheniramine is an antihistamine that blocks histamine, a natural substance that causes itching and other allergy symptoms.

Naphcon-A Eye Drops dosage

Wash your hands before using the eye drops. Remove contact lenses before applying the drops, and wait at least 10 to 15 minutes after using the drops before putting contacts back in. Tilt your head back and pull down the lower eyelid to make a small pocket for the drop. Avoid letting the dropper tip touch your eye or any other surface to prevent contamination.

After placing the drop, close your eye and gently press a finger to the inner corner of the eye for about a minute to keep the medicine from draining away. Try not to blink or rub your eye after applying the drop. Do not use the drops if the liquid has changed color or has particles in it.

If you use other eye drops or ointments, wait at least 5 minutes between products, and use drops before ointments. Wait for your vision to clear before driving or operating machinery.

Do not use for longer than 3 to 4 days in a row, since overuse can worsen redness or damage blood vessels in the eye. Stop using and get medical advice if your symptoms last or get worse after a few days of use. Not recommended for children younger than 6 years without a doctor's advice.

Available forms and strengths

• Eye drops (ophthalmic solution)

Side effects of Naphcon-A Eye Drops

Common

• Mild burning or stinging of the eye
• Dilated pupils, blurred vision
• Eyes being more sensitive to light
• Drowsiness
• General weakness
• Headache
• Nausea
• Nervousness

Serious

• Ongoing or worsening eye redness
• Eye pain
• Changes in vision
• Dizziness
• Excessive sweating
• High blood pressure
• Increased eye pressure
• Inflammation of the clear front part of the eye (punctate keratitis)
• Signs of an allergic reaction such as hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat

Warnings and precautions

• Do not use this medicine if you have narrow-angle glaucoma.
• Ask a doctor before use if you have heart disease, high blood pressure, urination problems, or narrow-angle glaucoma.
• Do not use this medicine for longer than 3 to 4 days at a time, since overuse can cause increased eye redness when the drug wears off (rebound effect).
• This medicine should not be given to a child younger than 6 years old without a doctor's advice.
• Do not use this medicine while wearing contact lenses, since it may contain a preservative that can discolor soft contact lenses.
• Taking much more than the recommended dose, such as if it is accidentally swallowed, may cause severe effects on the heart and blood circulation, including a slow heart rate, severe headache, nausea, vomiting, breathing problems, fast heart rate, and chest pain. Other serious reactions such as low body temperature or drowsiness may occur, especially in children.
• It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not use it while pregnant without a doctor's advice.
• It is not known whether this medicine passes into breast milk or could harm a nursing baby. Do not use it while breastfeeding without a doctor's advice.
• Wait several minutes for your vision to clear before driving or operating machinery.

Storage

• Store at 20–25°C (68–77°F) at controlled room temperature.
• Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.
• Protect from excessive heat and direct sunlight.
• Do not freeze, and avoid touching the dropper tip to help prevent contamination.
• Keep out of reach and sight of children and pets.

When to see a doctor

• Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction, such as hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Stop using this medicine and call your doctor right away if you have ongoing or worsening eye redness, eye pain, or changes in your vision.
• Stop using the medicine and get medical help if your condition lasts or gets worse after using it for a few days, or if you think you may have a serious medical problem.
• If you experience side effects, or in case of accidental swallowing of an overdose, seek immediate medical attention or advice from your doctor, pharmacist, or a poison control center.

Alternatives

• Opcon-A Eye Drops
• Visine-A Eye Drops
• Ketotifen Eye Drops
• Bepreve (Bepotastine) Eye Drops