Naphazoline

What is this medication?

NAPHAZOLINE is a decongestant. It is used in the eyes to treat redness caused by minor eye irritations.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): AK-Con, Albalon, All Clear, All Clear AR, Napha Forte, Naphcon, Naphcon Forte, Ocu-Zoline, VasoClear

What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• Glaucoma
• An unusual or allergic reaction to naphazoline, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• Pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• Breastfeeding

How should I use this medication?

This medicine is only for use in the eye. Follow the directions on the label. Wash hands before and after use. Shake well before using. Tilt your head back slightly and pull your lower eyelid down with your index finger to form a pouch. Try not to touch the tip of the dropper or tube to your eye, fingertips, or other surface. Squeeze the drops into the pouch. Close the eye gently to spread the drops. Do not use your medicine more often than directed.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

This does not apply.

What may interact with this medication?

• Certain medicines for depression, anxiety, or psychotic disturbances
• MAOIs like Carbex, Eldepryl, Marplan, Nardil, and Parnate
• Maprotiline

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medication?

Tell your doctor or healthcare professional if your symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse. Do not use this medicine for longer than directed by your doctor or health care professional.

You may get blurred vision. Do not drive, use machinery or do anything that needs clear vision until you know how this medicine affects you.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• Allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
• Changes in blood pressure
• Dizziness
• Eye irritation
• Increased hunger or thirst
• Increased urination
• Nausea
• Unusually weak or tired

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• Changes in vision
• Headache
• Nervousness
• Sweating
• Tearing
• Tiredness

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where should I keep my medication?

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.

What type of drug is naphazoline?

Naphazoline is an ocular (eye) decongestant that works by narrowing blood vessels in your eye. Specifically, it narrows arterioles in the thin, clear membrane (conjunctiva) that covers the white of your eye (sclera). This narrowing of blood vessels (vasoconstriction) temporarily reduces redness in your eye. Red eye happens when blood vessels in your eye are too wide open. 

Some eye drop formulas combine naphazoline and additional ingredients to target other symptoms besides redness. For example, you might see glycerin, polyethylene glycol 300, polysorbate 80 or hypromellose on the drug label. These are all lubricants that help ease minor eye irritation or burning.

If you have dry eye disease, avoid products containing naphazoline. These drops won’t help your symptoms and might make them worse. Instead, use artificial tears to soothe your eyes — but only after talking to a healthcare provider about which eye drops or other treatments are best for you.

Is naphazoline an antihistamine?

No, naphazoline isn’t an antihistamine. But certain eye drops contain naphazoline along with antihistamines, like pheniramine. These eye drops treat eye irritation due to allergies. Naphazoline reduces redness, while the antihistamine relieves itchiness. 

Can I use naphazoline every day?

No. Naphazoline is only meant for short-term use. You can use it for up to three days in a row (72 hours). After that point, if your eyes are still red, contact a healthcare provider. You shouldn’t use naphazoline long term because:

• It can lead to rebound redness. This is the main side effect of naphazoline on your eyes. It’s when eye redness returns after you stop using the eye drops — and the redness may look even worse than it did before using the drops. If you use drops again to treat the rebound, that could lead to a cycle of rebound redness. This issue can occur if you use an ocular decongestant like naphazoline or tetrahydrozoline for too long.
• It can mask symptoms of a condition that needs treatment. Often, red eye is minor and nothing to worry about. It might happen because you’re tired or because of irritants like smoke or dust. But red eye can also be a symptom of a condition like conjunctivitis (pink eye), glaucoma or an eye injury. Using naphazoline in certain types of glaucoma can worsen your symptoms. If you use drops to mask the redness, you’re not treating the underlying problem (and could delay treatments that are more likely to help).

If you have any other symptoms besides redness — like eye pain, eye discharge or changes in your vision — talk to a healthcare provider as soon as possible. Don’t try to treat the issue yourself.

When should I seek medical care?

Call a healthcare provider if you have red eye and:

• Your eyes feel tender and/or painful.
• The area around your eye is bruised, swollen or painful.
• You have blurred vision or other vision changes.
• You have new or worsening sensitivity to light.
• Your symptoms last beyond a week or seem to be getting worse.
• Pus or mucus is coming out of your eyes.
• You have a fever.
• You’ve had close contact with someone who has conjunctivitis (pink eye).