Alomide (Lodoxamide)

Alomide (Lodoxamide) Product Information

Alomide is a mast cell stabilizer, which helps prevent the release of histamine in your body. Histamine is a chemical in your body associated with allergic reactions and inflammatory responses. It is a ophthalmic solution applied topically to the eyes to treat inflammation , itchiness and the painful gritty feeling you may be experiencing.

If you are having an eye problem, your doctor is likely to prescribe a medicine called Alomide. It is in the form of eye drops and belongs to a group of drugs called mast cell stabilizers. These medicines are used to cure eye irritation symptoms like tearing, itching, and redness. Alomide works even when eye irritation is severe—vernal keratoconjunctivitis.

This medication is also recommended when you have irritation in your eyes due to contact lenses, as it gives relief after only taking it for a few days, and total effect after one month of constant use.  Alomide blocks the release of histamine by the mast cells which is known to cause inflammation and irritation in various body parts, including the eye.

Directions

Alomide is an eye-drops medication containing Lodoxamide 0.1%w/v as 0.178% w/v lodoxamide tromethamine. The correct dosage of lodoxamide eye drops for kids (older than four years) and adults is normally one or two drops in each eye four times daily. It is important to administer the drug at regular intervals throughout the day to ensure that it works properly.

In addition, start treating your eyes prior to the time you normally catch allergies. Don’t contaminate the bottle tip by touching it to surfaces; replace the bottle cap after every use. Moreover, remember to wash your hands before and after using the drops. To administer the drops tilt your head back gently, pull your lower lid down, look up, and squeeze out one or two drops into both eyes , then close gently for a few minutes.

Note that your doctor has a right to change your dosage. If they do, follow their instructions carefully. In case you forget to use your Alomide drops, apply them as soon as you can recall unless you are about to take your next dose. If you are, forget about the missed dose and keep up with your normal dosing schedule.

Side Effects

As expected of any medicine, Alomide can cause some side effects. While some can be serious, others can be mild and tolerable. The most reported side effects of Alomide include:

• Blurred vision
• Sleepiness
• Dryness in the eyes and nose
• Dizziness
• Bad tasting mouth
• Sneezing
• Nausea
• Headache
• Eye discomfort, inflammation,
• Eyelid swelling or redness
• Headaches
• White depositi on the surface of the eye.

The above-mentioned side effects are not serious and should not bother you. If they do however, contact your eye doctor. Should you experience severe side effects, including abdominal pain or cornea damage, rush to the emergency room.

Precautions

If you have been asked to start taking Alomide, it will be necessary to observe some measures. These include the following:

• Inform your doctor about all other medicines you are taking
• Let your GP know that you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant so they can decide whether Alomide will be ideal
• If you are breastfeeding, don’t self-treat with Alomide; let your physician know that you have a baby
• If you are fit to use Alomide, drive or operate heavy machinery carefully. The medicine may blur your vision
• As Alomide has benzalkonium chloride, it can cause damage to the contact lenses and then to the eye. If wearing soft contact lenses, remove them first and wear them again after fifteen minutes
• Don’t place these eye drops in the eyes of a child who is less than four years old

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