General Information
Consumer Medicine InformationWhat is in this leafletThis leaflet answers some common questions about HYCOR EYE OINTMENT.It does not contain all of the available information.It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor has weighed the risks of you using HYCOR against the benefits they expect it will have for you.If you have any concerns about using this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.Keep this leaflet with the medicine. You may need to read it again.
What is HYCORThe name of your medicine is HYCOR EYE OINTMENT.The active ingredient is called HYDROCORTISONE (as the acetate).HYCOR is a type of glucocorticoid and belongs to the group of medicines called the corticosteroids.HYCOR EYE OINTMENT is for use in the eyes only. It should not be taken by mouth.What is HYCOR EYE OINTMENT used forHYCOR EYE OINTMENT is used in inflammatory (red, swollen) conditions of the eye including:
allergic conjunctivitis
nonpurulent (non-pus producing) conjunctivitis or swollen eyelids
Herpes zoster ophthalmicus
recurrent marginal ulceration (recurring eye ulcers)
Your doctor, however, may have prescribed HYCOR EYE OINTMENT for another purpose.Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why HYCOR EYE OINTMENT has been prescribed for you.If you have any concerns, you should discuss this with your doctor or in his/her absence with your pharmacist.This ointment is available only on a doctor's prescription.Before you use HYCOR EYE OINTMENTWhen you must not use it
Do not use HYCOR EYE OINTMENT if you are allergic to:
Hydrocortisone or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet
Do not use HYCOR EYE OINTMENT if you have an acute Herpes infection of the eye (Herpes simplex), vaccinia (a special form of chicken pox), varicella or other viral infections of the eye, ocular tuberculosis, fungal diseases of the eye, pus-producing infections of the eye.Do not use HYCOR EYE OINTMENT after the expiry date printed on the pack.If you use it after the expiry date has passed, it may have no effect at all, or worse, there may be an entirely unexpected effect.Do not purchase or use HYCOR EYE OINTMENT if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering.Before you start to take it.You must tell your doctor if you:
are allergic to any other medicines or any foods, dyes or preservatives
have glaucoma or a family history of glaucoma
wear contact lenses
have cataracts
are diabetic
have a disease where the cornea is thinned (Perforation may occur)
Taking other medicines
Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medication, including medicines, creams, ointments or lotions that you buy without a prescription from a pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
Do not use in children unless specifically directed to by your doctor.
Some medicines may interfere with HYCOR.These include:
drugs used to treat glaucoma
Atropine and related compounds, these include medicines used to relieve stomach cramps or spasms, to prevent travel sickness and to treat Parkinsons Disease
Contact lenses should not be worn while using HYCOR EYE OINTMENT as it may mask signs of infection.The above medicines may either reduce the effectiveness of HYCOR, reduce its own effectiveness and/or react with HYCOR resulting in untoward or sometimes dangerous side effects.
This list is not exhaustive. Your doctor or pharmacist has more information on medicines to be careful with or avoid while using HYCOR.How to use HYCOR EYE OINTMENTa) How to use it
Gently pull out the lower eyelid to form a sac. Run the ointment into the sac then allow the eye to close. Try not to let the nozzle of the tube contact the eye when applying.b) When to use HYCOR EYE OINTMENT
Use as directed by your Doctor. Do not use more than the amount he/she advises or use them more frequently than directed.c) How long to use it
HYCOR EYE OINTMENT should be used as long as your doctor thinks it is necessary.It is important to use HYCOR EYE OINTMENT exactly as directed. If you use less than you should, it may not work as well and your medical condition may not improve.
Using it more frequently than you should may not improve your condition any faster and may cause or increase side effects.
d) If you forget to use HYCOR EYE OINTMENT at the required time
Use it as soon as you remember and then return to your normal dosing time. If your next dose is almost due, leave using HYCOR EYE OINTMENT until that time.Do not try to make up for missed doses by using more than one dose at a time. This may increase the chance of getting an unwanted side effect.If you have trouble remembering when to use HYCOR EYE OINTMENT, ask your pharmacist for some hints.If you accidentally swallow it:
Immediately phone your doctor or Poisons Information Centre (telephone 13 11 26) for advice, or go to casualty at your nearest hospital, if you think you or anyone else may have swallowed HYCOR. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. Also report any other medicine or alcohol which has been taken. You may need urgent medical attention.
Keep telephone numbers for these places handy.
While you are using HYCOR EYE OINTMENTThings you must do:
Tell your doctor if you feel HYCOR EYE OINTMENT is not helping your condition.Tell your doctor if, for any reason, you have not used your HYCOR EYE OINTMENT as prescribed. Otherwise, your doctor may think that it was not effective and change your treatment unnecessarily.Always discuss with your doctor any problems or difficulties during or after using HYCOR EYE OINTMENT.If you develop any other eye condition such as injury, eye surgery or infection while using HYCOR EYE OINTMENT, seek your doctor's advice concerning the continued use of HYCOR EYE OINTMENT.Things you must not do:
Do not give HYCOR EYE OINTMENT to anyone else even though their symptoms seem similar to yours.Do not use HYCOR EYE OINTMENT for other conditions unless your doctor tells you. HYCOR EYE OINTMENT has been prescribed for you for a specific condition. If you use it for another condition, it may not work or may make the condition worse.Do not give HYCOR EYE OINTMENT to small children.Things to be careful of:
Do not use HYCOR EYE OINTMENT for a long time. If you use for longer than recommended or use more than the prescribed dose, the chances of absorption of the drug into the body and the chance of side effects increases.Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are concerned about the length of time you have used HYCOR EYE OINTMENT.Side EffectsTell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while using HYCOR EYE OINTMENT.HYCOR EYE OINTMENT helps most people with medical conditions listed in the beginning of this leaflet, but it may have unwanted side effects in some people.All medicines have side effects. Sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are not. You may need medical treatment if you get some of the side effects.Ask your doctor or pharmacist any questions you may have.Uncommon side effects:The following side effects occur uncommonly with HYCOR EYE OINTMENT:
temporary blurred vision
burning, stinging, redness or watering of the eyes
There is a possibility of absorption into the body of hydrocortisone, especially if HYCOR EYE OINTMENT is used for a long time. This may result in effects to the organs that regulate and maintain hormone levels in the body. Your doctor will decide if there is a need for a test to monitor the hormone levels in the blood.HYCOR EYE OINTMENT may cause other side effects, check with your doctor.Check with your doctor as soon as possible if you have any problems while using HYCOR EYE OINTMENT even if you do not think the problems are connected with this medicine or are not listed in this leaflet.Do not be alarmed by the list of side effects or their discussion. You may not experience any of them.After using HYCOR EYE OINTMENTStorage:
Keep where children cannot reach.A locked cupboard at least one and a half metres above the floor is a good place to store medicines.Keep HYCOR EYE OINTMENT in a cool, dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C and protect from light. Do not freeze or refrigerate. Do not store it or any other medicines in a bathroom or near a sink.Do not leave HYCOR EYE OINTMENT in the car or on windowsills.Discard any of the ointment still left after 4 weeks from first using it.DisposalIf your doctor tells you to stop using HYCOR EYE OINTMENT or it has passed its expiry date, ask your pharmacist what to do with any left over.Product description
a. What it looks like
HYCOR EYE OINTMENT is presented in a special eye ointment tube with an elongated nozzle.
b. Ingredients
HYCOR EYE OINTMENT contains hydrocortisone (as the acetate) in a sterile base.The excipients or non-active ingredients are soft white paraffin, liquid paraffin, hard paraffin and wool fat.SponsorSigma Pharmaceuticals (Australia) Pty Ltd
(A.C.N. 004 118 594)
96 Merrindale Drive
Croydon, Victoria, 3136
AustraliaTelephone 03-9839 2800The Australian Registration Numbers for SIGUENT HYCOR EYE OINTMENT 0.5% AND 1% are AUST R 19781 and 19780 respectively.This leaflet was prepared in November 1999.