4.1. Therapeutic indications

ALOMIDE Ophthalmic Solution is indicated in the treatment of non-infectious allergic conjunctivitis (vernal conjunctivitis, giant papillary conjunctivitis, and allergic-atopic conjunctivitis). The etiologic factors are unknown, but common airborne allergens and contact lenses have been implicated. Lodoxamide trometamol may be effective against other ocular diseases where type I immediate hypersensitivity (or mast cells) play a major role in the inflammatory process.

4.2. Posology and method of administration

Adults and children: One or two drops in each eye four times a day at regular intervals.

Patients should be advised that the effect of ALOMIDE therapy is dependent upon its administration at regular intervals, as directed.

Improvements in signs and symptoms in response to ALOMIDE therapy (decreased discomfort, itching, foreign body sensation, photophobia, acute ocular pain, tearing, discharge, erythema/swelling, conjunctival redness, limbal reaction, epithelial disease, ptosis) are usually evident within a few days, but longer treatment for up to four weeks is sometimes required. Once symptomatic improvement has been established, therapy should be continued for as long as needed to sustain improvement.

Patients should also be advised that instillation of eye drops in allergic conjunctivitis may cause discomfort initially and that this will decline with improvement of the disease (see 4.8 Undesirable Effects).

Nasolacrimal occlusion or gently closing the eyelid after administration is recommended. This may reduce the systemic absorption of medicinal products administered via the ocular route and result in a decrease in systemic adverse reactions.

Children less than 4 years: The safety and effectiveness of ALOMIDE in children below the age of four years have not been established.

Elderly: There are no special precautions to be followed in prescribing ALOMIDE for the elderly.

If required, corticosteroids may be used concomitantly with ALOMIDE.

4.3. Contraindications

ALOMIDE is contraindicated in those persons who have a known hypersensitivity to lodoxamide or any component of the medicament.

4.4. Special warnings and precautions for use

• ALOMIDE is not for injection.

• The recommended frequency of administration should not be exceeded.

• Patients should be advised that instillation of eye drops may initially cause discomfort or transient burning or stinging (see section 4.8). Should these symptoms persist, the patient should be advised to contact the prescribing physician.

• ALOMIDE contains 0.7mg of benzalkonium chloride in each 10ml which is equivalent to 0.07mg/ml. Benzalkonium chloride may be absorbed by soft contact lenses and may change the colour of the contact lenses. Avoid contact with soft contact lenses. Patients must be instructed to remove contact lenses prior to application of ALOMIDE and wait at least 15 minutes before reinsertion.

• Benzalkonium chloride has been reported to cause eye irritation, symptoms of dry eyes and may affect the tear film and corneal surface. Should be used with caution in dry eye patients and in patients where the cornea may be compromised.

• Patients should be monitored in case of prolonged use.

4.5. Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

No interaction studies have been performed.

If more than one topical ophthalmic medicinal product is being used, the medicines must be administered at least 5 minutes apart. Eye ointments should be administered last.

4.6. Fertility, pregnancy and lactation

Pregnancy

There are no or limited amount of data from the use of ALOMIDE in pregnant-women. Animal studies do not indicate direct or indirect harmful effects with respect to reproductive toxicity. As a precautionary measure, it is preferable to avoid the use of ALOMIDE during pregnancy.

Lactation

It is not known whether lodoxamide is excreted in human milk. There is insufficient information on the excretion of lodoxamide from ALOMIDE in animal milk. A risk to the suckling child cannot be excluded. A decision must be made whether to discontinue breast-feeding or to discontinue/abstain from ALOMIDE therapy taking into account the benefit of breast feeding for the child and the benefit of therapy for the woman.

4.7. Effects on ability to drive and use machines

Lodoxamide has no or negligible influence on the ability to drive and use machines. As with any topical ophthalmic medicinal product, temporary blurred vision or other visual disturbances may affect the ability to drive or use machines. If blurred vision occurs at instillation, the patient must wait until the vision clears before driving or using machinery.

4.8. Undesirable effects

a. Summary of the safety profile

In clinical trials, the most common adverse reaction was ocular discomfort.

b. Tabulated list of adverse reactions

The following adverse reactions are classified according to the following convention: very common (≥ 1/10), common (≥ 1/100 to <1/10), uncommon (≥1/1,000 to <1/100), rare (≥1/10,000 to <1/1,000), very rare (<1/10,000), or not known (cannot be estimated from the available data). Within each frequency-grouping, adverse reactions are presented in order of decreasing seriousness. The adverse reactions have been observed during clinical trials and post-marketing experience for lodoxamide eye drops.

System Organ Classification

MedDRA Preferred Term (v.12.1)

Nervous system disorders

Uncommon: dizziness, headache

Rare: somnolence, dysgeusia

Eye disorders

Very common: ocular discomfort

Common: vision blurred, dry eye, eye pruritus, lacrimation increased, ocular hyperaemia Uncommon: eye pain, eye oedema, asthenopia, corneal deposits, conjunctival oedema, abnormal sensation in eye, foreign body sensation in eyes, eye discharge, eye irritation

Rare: corneal erosion, corneal scar, corneal abrasion, anterior chamber cell, corneal epithelium defect, keratitis, blepharitis, eye allergy, visual impairment, eyelid oedema, conjunctival disorder

Cardiac disorders

Not known: palpitations

Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders

Rare: nasal dryness, sneezing

Gastrointestinal disorders

Uncommon: nausea

Rare: abdominal discomfort

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders

Uncommon: eyelid exfoliation

Rare: rash

General disorders and administration site conditions

Uncommon: feeling hot

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.

4.9. Overdose

Due to the characteristics of this preparation, no toxic effects are to be expected with an ocular overdose of this product.

In the event of a topical overdose, flush from the eye with lukewarm water.

In case of accidental ingestion of doses of 0.1 mg to 10.0 mg of lodoxamide, the following side adverse effects may occur: feeling of warmth, flushing, nausea, vomiting, diaphoresis and abdominal cramping. Transient elevations of systolic and diastolic blood pressure have been noted with doses of 3.0 and 10.0 mg of oral lodoxamide, but they resolve spontaneously after a short time. Other possible adverse effects after an oral overdose are: headache, dizziness, fatigue and loose stools.

If accidentally ingested, efforts to decrease further absorption may be appropriate. Lavage, if the overdose has been taken within 1 hour or treatment with activated charcoal should be considered.