PHYSOSTIGMINE SULFATE

Drug Name: PHYSOSTIGMINE SULFATE

PHYSOSTIGMINE SULFATE DESCRIPTION:
PHYSOSTIGMINE - OPHTHALMIC OINTMENT (fye-so-STIG-meen, off-THAL-mick)

PHYSOSTIGMINE SULFATE SIDE EFFECTS:
Headache, brow ache, or temporary burning or stinging may occur initially. These effects should disappear as your body adjusts to the medication. Vision may be temporarily blurred or unstable after applying medication. Use caution if driving or performing duties requiring clear vision. This medication may cause vision problems in poor light. Use caution especially when driving at night. Crusting of ointment on eyelids or eyelashes may occur causing them to stick together. If this occurs, wash them with water. Inform your doctor if you develop changes in vision, eye pain, difficulty breathing, increased sweating, increased salivation, increased urination, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or irregular heartbeat. Also contact your doctor if blurred vision persists more than several hours in the morning after bedtime use. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

HOW TO USE PHYSOSTIGMINE SULFATE:
PHYSOSTIGMINE SULFATE: Wash hands first. Avoid touching the tip of the tube to any surface. Tilt head back and pull down lower eyelid to make a pouch. Place the tube as near as possible to the eyelid without touching it. Squeeze a 1/2 inch ribbon of ointment into the pouch of the eyelid. Blink your eyes a few times to allow dispersion of the medication over the eye surface. Wipe off any excess from the eyelids and eyelashes with tissue. Close lid tightly. Wash hands again to remove any ointment that may have come into contact with your hands.

PHYSOSTIGMINE SULFATE USES:
PHYSOSTIGMINE SULFATE reduces pressure in the eye. It is used to treat glaucoma.

PHYSOSTIGMINE SULFATE PRECAUTIONS:
Before using PHYSOSTIGMINE SULFATE, tell your doctor if you have other eye problems, asthma, intestinal disease, ulcers, low or high blood pressure, heart disease, an overactive thyroid gland, seizures, Parkinson's disease, or an obstruction of the urinary tract. Before having surgery with a general anesthetic, tell the doctor or dentist that you use PHYSOSTIGMINE SULFATE. Do not allow anyone else to use this nedication. PHYSOSTIGMINE SULFATE should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed. It is not known if PHYSOSTIGMINE SULFATE appears in breast milk. Consult with your doctor before breast-feeding.

PHYSOSTIGMINE SULFATE DRUG INTERACTIONS:
PHYSOSTIGMINE SULFATE can affect the way your body responds to other drugs. Tell your doctor what prescription and nonprescription drugs you are taking. Do not use any drugs, including nonprescription medications, without consulting your doctor. Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.

PHYSOSTIGMINE SULFATE OVERDOSE:
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. This medicine may be harmful if swallowed. Symptoms of overdose may include blurred vision, increased saliva, fainting, irregular heartbeat, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, asthma, and increased sweating.

MISSED PHYSOSTIGMINE SULFATE DOSE:
If you should miss a dose, apply as soon as remembered unless it is almost time for the next dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not "double-up" the dose to catch up.

PHYSOSTIGMINE SULFATE STORAGE:
Store at room temperature away from heat and moisture. Your condition can cause complications in a medical emergency. For information on enrollment call Medic Alert(TM) at 1-800-854-1166. In Canada call 1-800-668-1507.