Naphazoline/pheniramine
Combination drug
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Naphazoline/pheniramine, sold under the brand name Naphcon-A among others, is a combination eye drop used to help the symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis such as from hay fever.[1] It contains naphazoline and pheniramine.[1][2] It is used as an eye drop.[2] Use is not recommended for more than three days.[3]
| Combination of | |
|---|---|
| Naphazoline | Vasoconstrictor |
| Pheniramine | Antihistamine |
| Clinical data | |
| Trade names | Naphcon-A, others |
| AHFS/Drugs.com | Multum Consumer Information |
| Routes of administration | Eye drop |
| Legal status | |
| Legal status |
|
| Identifiers | |
| CAS Number | |
Side effects may include allergic reactions, eye pain, and dilated pupils.[1][4][3] It is unclear if use in pregnancy is safe.[2] Nephazoline works by resulting in constriction of blood vessels thus decreasing redness while pheniramine works by blocking the effects of histamine to stop itching.[2]
The combination was approved for medical use in the United States in 1994.[5][6][2] It is available over the counter.[5][6][1] In 2017, it was the 203rd most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than two million prescriptions.[7][6]
Medical use
It is administered topically with one to two drops applied to the affected eye(s) up to four times daily.[1]
Adverse effects
- Pupils may become enlarged temporarily
- Overuse may cause more redness
- Those with heart disease, high blood pressure, narrow angle glaucoma or who have urination trouble are discouraged from using the product
- It is recommended to remove contact lenses before use. Use with contact lenses can lead to reduced oxygenation of the underlying cornea
- If infants or children accidentally ingest the drops, it may lead to coma and significant reduction in body temperature. If such ingestion occurs, immediately calling a poison control center is recommended[1]
