Voltaren Ophta

Generic Name: Diclofenac sodium
Product Name: Voltaren Ophta

Indication

Voltaren Ophta belongs to a group of drug called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). It is used to relieve pain and treat inflammation of the eye after cataract surgery.

Action

The active ingredient of Voltaren Ophta is diclofenac sodium.

Diclofenac sodium inhibits the synthesis of prostaglandins, which are responsible for inflammation and pain. Diclofenac sodium stops the pupils from constricting during cataract surgery, and reduces inflammation following surgery.

Dose advice

Dose information:

• Before surgery: Up to 5 drops during the 3 hours before surgery.
• After surgery: 1 drop 3 times on the day of surgery, followed by 1 drop 3-5 times daily.

This medicine is available in a multidose bottle and in single dose units.

The multidose botle contains the preservative benzalkonium chloride, which can affect contact lenses. If you wear soft contact lenses, do not forget to remove your contact lenses before instilling the Voltaren Ophta drops. You should wait for at least 15 minutes after using the drops before re-inserting your contact lenses into your eyes.

Using the multidose bottle:

1. Wash your hands before using the drops.
2. Open the multidose bottle and make sure the tip of the dropper does not touch anything. This may contaminate the solution.
3. Hold the bottle in one hand between the thumb and forefinger.
4. With your head tilted back, use the forefinger of your other hand to pull down the lower lid of the eye to be treated.
5. Place the dropper tip close to your eye, but without touching your eye or eyelid. Gently squeeze so that one drop falls into the pouch between your lower eyelid and your eye. Release your lower eyelid.
6. Close your eye and gently press the inner corner of your eye with your forefinger for one minute.
7. Replace the lid on the multidose bottle.
8. Discard the multidose bottle and remaining solution four weeks after opening.

Using the single dose units:

1. Wash your hands before using the drops.
2. Open a blister pack of single dose units. Remove the strip of single dose units and tear off one single dose unit from the strip. Hold it by the tab with the nozzle pointing downwards. Tap gently until all the air bubbles are above the solution.
3. Twist the tab off the single dose unit.
4. Make sure the tip of the single dose unit does not touch anything. This may contaminate the solution.
5. Hold the single dose unit in one hand between the thumb and forefinger.
6. With your head tilted back, use the forefinger of your other hand to pull down the lower lid of the eye to be treated.
7. Place the single dose unit tip close to your eye, but without touching your eye or eyelid. Gently squeeze so that one drop falls into the pouch between your lower eyelid and your eye. Release your lower eyelid.
8. Close your eye and gently press the inner corner of your eye with your forefinger for one minute.
9. Discard each single dose unit immediately after use.

If you are using several other eye drops at the same time as Voltaren Ophtha, leave an interval of at least 5 minutes between each eye drop to stop the drops being washed out of the eye.

Precautions:

Voltaren Ophta may cause blurry vision in some patients. If it affects you, do not drive or operate machinery until the effect has worn off.

Use in pregnancy:

Voltaren Ophta is a pregnancy category C drug. The safety of Voltaren Ophta during pregnancy has not been established. You should inform your doctor if you are planning to become or are currently pregnant.

Use in breastfeeding:

Inform your doctor if you are breastfeeding. There is a lack of data about the use of Voltaren Ophta while breastfeeding.

Children:

The safety and effectiveness of Voltaren Ophta have not been demonstrated in children. Therefore, its use is not recommended.

Storage requirements for Voltaren Ophta:

Multidose bottle:

The contents of Voltaren Ophta should be discarded 4 weeks after opening. It should be stored below 25^oC.

Single dose units:

Single dose units should be kept refrigerated at 2-8^oC until opening the inner blister. Once the blister is opened, the contents are stable for one month at room temperature (< 25^oC). The contents of the single dose unit remain sterile until the original closure is broken.

Unused contents of Voltaren Ophta should be discarded immediately after use.

Schedule

Voltaren Ophta is Schedule 4.

Common side effects

Voltaren Ophta is generally well-tolerated. However, all medicines have side effects. Overall, the side effects of Voltaren Ophta are mild and short-lived. Usually the benefits of taking a medicine outweigh the associated side effects. Your doctor would have considered these side effects before starting you on Voltaren Ophta.

Common side effects are those which occur in more than 1% of patients taking Voltaren Ophta. These include:

• Mild to moderate eye irritation (>10%)
• Keratitis (1-10%)
• Increased pressure in the eye (1-10%)

Uncommon side effects

Side effects which occur in less than 1% of patients given Voltaren Ophta are considered uncommon. Patients do not necessarily experience any of these side effects, so do not become alarmed by this list:

• Blurry eyes after instillation of the eye drops
• Allergic reactions (e.g. itch, hyperaemia of the eye)
• Sensitivity to light
• Permanent mydriasis after surgery

In rare cases (<0.01%), shortness of breath and worsening of asthma have been reported. See your doctor immediately if you experience either of these.

If you experience any of the listed side effects, or any other symptoms which appear abnormal or unusual, please tell your doctor.

References

1. Australian Medicines Handbook, Adelaide, Pharmaceutical Society of Australia, 2008.
2. MIMS Online. Voltaren Ophta [online]. 2003 [cited 2008 April 04]. Available from: [URL Link]

For further information talk to your doctor.