Metipranolol Ophthalmic

Ophthalmic metipranolol is used to treat glaucoma, a condition in which increased pressure in the eye can lead to gradual loss of vision. Metipranolol is in a class of medications called beta-blockers. It works by decreasing the pressure in the eye.

Ophthalmic metipranolol comes as a solution (liquid) to instill in the eyes. It is usually instilled twice a day, at evenly spaced intervals. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Do not use more or less of it or use it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Metipranolol eye drops control glaucoma but do not cure it. Continue to use metipranolol eye drops even if you feel well. Do not stop using metipranolol eye drops without talking to your doctor. To instill the eye drops, follow these steps:

<list list-type='ordered' numbering='arabic'>
<li>
Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.</li>
<li>
Check the dropper tip to make sure that it is not chipped or cracked.</li>
<li>
Avoid touching the dropper tip against your eye or anything else; eye drops and droppers must be kept clean.</li>
<li>
While tilting your head back, pull down the lower lid of your eye with your index finger to form a pocket.</li>
<li>
Hold the dropper (tip down) with the other hand, as close to the eye as possible without touching it.</li>
<li>
Brace the remaining fingers of that hand against your face.</li>
<li>
While looking up, gently squeeze the dropper so that a single drop falls into the pocket made by the lower eyelid. Remove your index finger from the lower eyelid.</li>
<li>
Close your eye for 2 to 3 minutes and tip your head down as though looking at the floor. Try not to blink or squeeze your eyelids.</li>
<li>
Place a finger on the tear duct and apply gentle pressure.</li>
<li>
Wipe any excess liquid from your face with a tissue.</li>
<li>
If you are to use more than one drop in the same eye, wait at least 5 minutes before instilling the next drop.</li>
<li>
Replace and tighten the cap on the dropper bottle. Do not wipe or rinse the dropper tip.</li>
<li>
Wash your hands to remove any medication.</li></ul>

<p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Metipranolol may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

<ul>
<li>
stinging or burning of the eye</li>
<li>
brow ache</li>
<li>
eye tearing</li>
<li>
sensitivity to light</li>
<li>
blurred vision after using the drops</li></ul></p> <p></p> <p>If you experience any of the following symptoms, stop using metipranolol and call your doctor immediately:

<ul>
<li>
skin rash</li>
<li>
eye pain</li>
<li>
swelling in or around the eyes</li>
<li>
vision problems</li>
<li>
difficulty breathing</li>
<li>
rapid or strong heartbeat</li>
<li>
abnormal pulse</li>
<li>
headache</li>
<li>
dizziness</li>
<li>
depression</li>
<li>
fainting</li></ul>If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at <a href='http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch'>http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch</a>] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].</p>

Before using metipranolol eye drops, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to metipranolol, beta blockers, or any other medications. tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially other eye medications; beta blockers such as atenolol (Tenormin), carteolol (Cartrol), labetalol (Normodyne, Trandate), metoprolol (Lopressor), nadolol (Corgard), propranolol (Inderal), sotalol (Betapace), or timolol (Blocadren); quinidine (Quinidex, Quinaglute Dura-Tabs); verapamil (Calan, Isoptin); and vitamins. tell your doctor if you have or have ever had thyroid, heart, or lung disease; congestive heart failure; or diabetes. if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using metipranolol. if you are using another topical eye medication, instill it at least 10 minutes before or after you instill metipranolol eye drops. if you wear soft contact lenses, remove them before instilling metipranolol eye drops, and wait 15 minutes before putting them back in.