Pharmacy Guide

Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.

Pharmacy Guide

Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.

← Back to all medicines

Eythalm 1mg/ml eye drops solution

⚠ This medicine appears to have been discontinued

The electronic medicines compendium (emc) no longer publishes a Summary of Product Characteristics for this product, which usually means it is no longer marketed in the UK. The patient leaflet below is kept for reference, but the product may not be available.

If you were prescribed this medicine, other products containing Dexamethasone sodium phosphate may still be available. Do not stop your treatment — ask your pharmacist or GP what to use instead.

Active substance: Dexamethasone sodium phosphate

Equivalent medicines (same active substance, strength and form)

Source: electronic medicines compendium (emc)
Official leaflet: Read the PIL on emc

What it is and what it is used for

for Eythalm contains dexamethasone, which is a corticosteroid used to stop inflammatory symptoms (such as pain, heat, swelling and redness). Eythalm is used to treat inflammation of your eyes. If you have an infected eye (red eye, tears and mucous), you will be given another medicine to take at the same time as Eythalm. See Section 2. Eythalm eye drops solution is a sterile solution that does not contain a preservative.

What you need to know before you take it

e Eythalm Do not use Eythalm:

  • if you are allergic to dexamethasone phosphate or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6).
  • if you are suffering from an eye infection that you are not using a medicine for.
  • if you have damage on the surface of the eye (small holes, ulcers or injury which have not healed properly).
  • if you have high pressure in the eye known to be caused by glucosteroids (family of corticosteroid medicines). Warnings and precautions Talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse before using Eythalm.
  • Do not inject, do not swallow.
  • Avoid contact between the dispenser tip and the eye or eyelids.
  • Close monitoring of the eye is needed during the use of Eythalm and in particular:
  • for children and the elderly. More frequent monitoring is advised.
  • if you have an eye infection. Only use Eythalm if you are using an anti-infective medicine.
  • if you have a corneal ulcer, an open sore on the surface of the eye with sometimes extreme pain, tears, squinting and loss of vision. Do not use Eythalm, unless inflammation is the main cause of delayed healing.
  • if you suffer from high pressure in the eye. If you have already had high pressure in the eye after using an eye steroid medicine, you are at risk of having this again if you use Eythalm.
  • if you have glaucoma, a condition which can cause damage to the optic nerve and may cause loss of sight.
  • At the first sign of corneal calcification the drug should be withdrawn and the patient should be switched to a phosphate-free preparation.
  • Children: do not use for long-term treatment without a break.
  • If you have severe allergic conjunctivitis (redness, swelling, itching and tears in the eye) that another medicine has not been able to treat, only use Eythalm for a short period of time.
  • Diabetic: if you are diabetic, tell your ophthalmologist or optician.
  • If you have a red eye that has not been diagnosed, do not use Eythalm.
  • Contact lenses: do not wear contact lenses when you are using Eythalm. If you have a history of contact hypersensitivity to silver, you should not use this product. Talk to your doctor if you experience swelling and weight gain around the trunk and in the face as these are usually the first manifestations of a syndrome called Cushing's syndrome. Suppression of the adrenal gland function may develop after stopping a long-term or intensive treatment with Eythalm. Talk to your doctor before stopping the treatment by yourself. These risks are especially important in children and patients treated with a medicine called ritonavir or cobicistat. Contact your doctor if you experience blurred vision or other visual disturbances.

Other medicines and Eythalm Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are using, have recently used or might use any other medicines. If you are using any other eye medicine, wait 15 minutes between using each medicine. Using eye drops containing steroids and eye drops containing beta-blockers (to treat high pressure in the eye) together may cause settling of calcium phosphate on the surface of the eye. Tell your doctor if you are using ritonavir or cobicistat, as this may increase the amount of dexamethasone in the blood. Pregnancy and breast-feeding If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before using this medicine. There is not enough information on the use of dexamethasone during pregnancy to know the possible side effects. For this reason, the use of Eythalm during pregnancy is not recommended. It is not known if this medicine is present in breast milk. However, the dose of Eythalm is low. Eythalm can be used when breast-feeding. Driving and using machines You may have blurred vision for a short time after using your drops. Wait until your vision is normal before you drive or use machines. Eythalm contains phosphate buffer This medicine contains 1.976mg phosphates in each ml of solution, which is equivalent to 7.450mg disodium phosphate dodecahydrate. If you suffer from severe damage to the clear layer at the front of the eye (the cornea), phosphates may cause in very rare cases cloudy patches on the cornea due to calcium build-up during treatment.

How to take it

Eythalm Always use this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure. The recommended dose is 1 drop, 4 to 6 times a day in the eye to be treated. If your condition is more serious, you may be told to start with 1 drop every hour and then change to 1 drop every 4 hours, after the medicine has started to work. It is important to lower the dose slowly to stop the condition getting worse again. Elderly There is no need to adjust the dose. Use in children Do not use this medicine for long-term treatment without a break. Method of administration Ocular use: this medicine is an eye drop to be used in the eye. Do not allow the tip of the multi-dose container to touch the eye or areas around the eye. It could cause injury to your eye. The eye drops solution may become contaminated with bacteria that can cause eye infections leading to serious damage of the eye, even loss of vision. To avoid possible contamination of the multi-dose container, keep the tip of the multi-dose container away from contact with any surface. Before instillation of the eye drops:

  • Wash your hands before opening the bottle.
  • Do not use this medicine if you notice that the tamper-proof seal on the bottle neck is broken before you first use it.
  • When using for the first time, before delivering a drop to the eye, you should first of all practice using the dropper bottle by squeezing it slowly to deliver one drop into the air, away from the eye.
  • When you are confident that you can deliver one drop at a time, choose the position that you find most comfortable for the instillation of the drops (you can sit down, lie on your back, or stand in front of a mirror). Instillation: 1. Hold the bottle directly below the cap and turn the cap to open the bottle.

Do not touch anything with the tip of the bottle to avoid contamination of the solution. 2. Tilt your head backwards and hold the bottle above your eye. 3. Pull the lower eyelid down and look up. Squeeze the bottle gently in the middle and let a drop fall into your eye. Please note that there might be a few seconds delay between squeezing and the drop coming out. Do not squeeze too hard. If you are not sure how to administer your medicine, ask your doctor, pharmacist or nurse.

4. Blink a few times so that the drop spreads over the eye.

5. After using Eythalm, press a finger into the corner of your eye, by the nose for a few minutes. This helps to stop the eye drops getting into the rest of your body.

6. Repeat the instructions 2 – 5 to deliver a drop into the other eye also, if your doctor has instructed you to do this. Sometimes only one eye needs to be treated and your doctor will advise if this applies to you and which eye needs treatment.

23352502

7. After use and prior to recapping, the bottle should be shaken once in a downwards direction, without touching the dropper tip, in order to remove any residual liquid on the tip. This is necessary in order to ensure delivery of subsequent drops.

After you have used all doses there will be some Eythalm left in the bottle. You should not be concerned since an extra amount of Eythalm has been added and you will get the full amount of Eythalm that your doctor has prescribed. Do not attempt to use the excess medicine remaining in the bottle after you have completed the course of treatment. Frequency of use 4 to 6 times a day.

What Eythalm looks like and contents of the pack Eythalm eye drops, solution is presented as a 6ml clear solution in a white opaque 11ml LDPE bottle with white Novelia nozzle (HDPE and silicone) and a white HDPE cap. Each carton contains 1 or 3 bottles. Not all pack sizes may be marketed. Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer Marketing Authorisation Holder Aspire Pharma Ltd Unit 4, Rotherbrook Court Bedford Road, Petersfield Hampshire, GU32 3QG, UK Manufacturer Pharmathen S.A., 6 Dervenakion 15351 Pallini Attiki, Greece Or EXCELVISION 27 st. La Lombardière, Zl La Lombardière, ANNONAY 07100, France This leaflet was last revised in 05/2021. 1010403-P3.3

Duration of treatment You will usually need to use your drops for a few days and no longer than 14 days. If you use more Eythalm than you should Rinse the eye with sterile water if you have put too much medicine in your eye and your eye feels sore. Immediately tell your doctor or pharmacist. If you forget to use Eythalm Do not use a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose. If you stop using Eythalm Do not stop using this medicine suddenly. Always tell your doctor if you are thinking about stopping the treatment. If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor, pharmacist or nurse.

4. Possible side effects Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. Endocrine disorders: Not known (frequency cannot be estimated from the available data):

  • Hormone problems: growth of extra body hair (particularly in women), muscle weakness and wasting, purple stretch marks on body skin, increased blood pressure, irregular or missing periods, changes in the levels of protein and calcium in your body, stunted growth in children and teenagers and swelling and weight gain of the body and face (called "Cushing's syndrome") (see section 2, "Warnings and precautions"). Eye disorders: Very common (may affect more than 1 in 10 people):
  • High pressure in the eye after 2 weeks of using the drops. Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people):
  • Discomfort, irritation, burning, stinging, itching and blurred vision after use. These are usually mild and do not last long. Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people):
  • Signs of an allergic reaction.
  • Healing which takes longer than expected.
  • Cloudy lens (cataract).
  • Infections.
  • High pressure in the eye (glaucoma). Very rare (may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people):
  • Inflamed surface of the eye giving red eye, tears and irritation (conjunctivitis).
  • Wide pupil (mydriasis).
  • Swelling of the face (facial oedema).
  • Drooping eyelids (ptosis).
  • Inflammation of the eye which causes pain and redness (uveitis).
  • Settling of calcium on the surface of the eye (calcification of the cornea).
  • Inflamed surface of the eye giving blurred vision, dry eyes, sensitivity to light, burning, tears and a sandy sensation in your eye (crystalline keratopathy).
  • Changes in the thickness of the surface of the eye.
  • Swelling of the surface of the eye (corneal oedema).
  • Ulcer on the surface of the eye causing pain, tears, squinting and vision loss.
  • Small holes on the surface of the eye (perforation of the cornea). If you suffer from severe damage to the clear layer at the front of the eye (the cornea), phosphates may cause in very rare cases cloudy patches on the cornea due to calcium build up during treatment. Reporting of side effects If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any

Possible side effects

not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme (website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store). By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

How to store it

Eythalm Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children. Do not use the eye drops for longer than 28 days after first opening the bottle. Write down the date you opened the bottle in the space on the bottle label and box. Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the carton and bottle after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month. This medicine does not require any special storage conditions. Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.

Contents of the pack and other information

What Eythalm contains

  • The active substance is dexamethasone phosphate. Each millilitre of solution contains 1mg of dexamethasone phosphate as dexamethasone sodium phosphate.
  • The other ingredients are disodium phosphate dodecahydrate, sodium chloride, disodium edetate, hydrochloric acid (for pH adjustment), sodium hydroxide (for pH adjustment) and water for injections. 23352502

Frequently asked questions about Eythalm 1mg/ml eye drops solution

How do I take Eythalm 1mg/ml eye drops solution?

Eythalm 1mg/ml eye drops solution comes as eye drops containing 1mg/ml. Always follow the dose your doctor or pharmacist has given you, and read the leaflet that comes with the medicine.

What is the active substance in Eythalm 1mg/ml eye drops solution?

The active substance in Eythalm 1mg/ml eye drops solution is dexamethasone sodium phosphate.

Are there equivalent medicines to Eythalm 1mg/ml eye drops solution?

Medicines with the same active substance, strength and form include: Puradex 1mg/ml eye drops, solution. They are interchangeable only if your prescriber or pharmacist says so.

Where does this information come from?

This leaflet reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for Eythalm 1mg/ml eye drops solution, as published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). The version printed inside your medicine’s packaging is the one that applies to you.

Can I get Eythalm 1mg/ml eye drops solution without a prescription?

Whether a medicine is available over the counter or on prescription only depends on its licence. Check the leaflet, or ask your pharmacist — they can tell you straight away.

About this leaflet

The text above reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for this medicine, restructured for easier reading.

Medical disclaimer: This page is for information only and does not replace advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Always read the leaflet supplied with your medicine. If you are unwell, call NHS 111; in an emergency, call 999.

Medicines with the same active substance: Dexamethasone sodium phosphate (24 medicines)
See every medicine containing this substance, or browse the full A–Z of active substances.
⚕For healthcare professionals — Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC)Full SmPC: dosage, interactions, contraindications, warnings+
Technical information intended for healthcare professionals (doctors and pharmacists). The Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) is the official document approved by the MHRA/EMA. It does not replace the patient leaflet or a doctor’s advice.

4.1. Therapeutic indications

For treatment of non-infectious inflammatory conditions affecting the anterior segment of the eye.

4.2. Posology and method of administration

This medicinal product should be used only under close ophthalmic supervision.

Posology

The usual posology is of 1 drop 4 to 6 times daily in the affected eye.

In severe cases, treatment may be started with 1 drop every hour but dose should be reduced to one drop every 4 hours when favourable response is observed. Gradual tapering off is recommended in order to avoid a relapse.

The duration of treatment will generally vary from a few days to a maximum of 14 days.

Elderly patients

There has been wide experience with the use of dexamethasone eye drops in elderly patients. The dose recommendations given above reflect the clinical data derived from this experience.

Paediatric population

Efficacy and safety has not been established in the paediatric population.

In children, long-term continuous corticosteroid therapy should be avoided due to possible adrenal suppression (see section 4.4).

Method of administration

Ocular use.

Eythalm is a sterile solution that does not contain a preservative.

Patients should be instructed to wash their hands before use and avoid allowing the tip of the container to come into contact with the eye or surrounding structures as this could cause injury to the eye.

Patients should also be instructed that ocular solutions, if handled improperly, can become contaminated by common bacteria known to cause ocular infections. Serious damage to the eye and subsequent loss of vision may result from using contaminated solutions.

Nasolacrimal occlusion by compression of lacrimal ducts may reduce systemic absorption.

4.3. Contraindications

- Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.

- Eye infections not controlled by anti-infectious treatment, such as:

• Acute purulent bacterial infections including Pseudomonas and mycobacterial infections,

• Fungal infections,

• Epithelial Herpes simplex keratitis (dendritic keratitis), vaccinia, varicella zoster and most other viral infections of the cornea and conjunctiva,

• Amoebic Keratitis,

- Perforation, ulceration and injury of cornea with uncompleted epithelialisation (see also section 4.4),

- Known glucocorticosteroid-induced ocular hypertension.

4.4. Special warnings and precautions for use

Topical steroids should never be given for an undiagnosed red eye.

Patients should be monitored at frequent intervals during treatment with dexamethasone eye drops. Prolonged use of corticosteroid treatment may result in ocular hypertension/glaucoma (especially for patients with previous IOP induced by steroids or with pre-existing high IOP or Glaucoma) and also cataract formation, especially in children and elderly population.

The use of corticosteroids may also result in opportunistic ocular infections (bacterial, viral or fungal) due to the suppression of host response or to the delay of their healing. In addition, topical ocular corticosteroids may promote, aggravate or mask signs and symptoms of opportunistic eye infections.

Patients with an eye infection should only receive local steroid treatment when the infection has been controlled by an effective anti-infectious treatment. Such patients should be carefully and regularly monitored by an ophthalmologist.

In some particular inflammatory conditions such as episcleritis, NSAIDS are the first line treatment, Dexamethasone should be used only if NSAIDS are contra-indicated.

Patients with a corneal ulcer should generally not receive topical dexamethasone except when inflammation is the main cause of healing delay and when the appropriate aetiological treatment has already been prescribed. Such patients should be carefully and regularly monitored by an ophthalmologist.

Thinning of the cornea and sclera may increase the risk of perforations with the use of topical corticosteroids.

Corneal calcification requiring corneal graft surgery for visual rehabilitation has been reported for patients treated with ophthalmic preparations containing phosphates such as dexamethasone. At the first sign of corneal calcification the drug should be withdrawn and the patient should be switched to a phosphate-free preparation. In children, long-term continuous corticosteroid therapy should be avoided due to possible adrenal suppression.

Posterior subcapsular cataract might occur at cumulative doses of dexamethasone.

Diabetics are also more prone to develop subcapsular cataracts following topical steroid administration.

The use of topical steroids in allergic conjunctivitis is only recommended for severe forms of allergic conjunctivitis not responding to standard therapy and only for a short period.

Wearing of contact lenses during treatment with corticosteroid eye drops should be avoided.

Patients with a history of contact hypersensitivity to silver should not use this product as dispensed drops may contain traces of silver.

Cushing's syndrome and/or adrenal suppression associated with systemic absorption of ocular dexamethasone may occur after intensive or long-term continuous therapy in predisposed patients, including children and patients treated with CYP3A4 inhibitors (including ritonavir and cobicistat). In these cases, treatment should be progressively discontinued.

Visual disturbance

Visual disturbance may be reported with systemic and topical corticosteroid use. If a patient presents with symptoms such as blurred vision or other visual disturbances, the patient should be considered for referral to an ophthalmologist for evaluation of possible causes which may include cataract, glaucoma or rare diseases such as central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR) which have been reported after use of systemic and topical corticosteroids.

Wearing of contact lenses during treatment with corticosteroid eye drops should be avoided.

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

No interaction studies have been performed.

In case of concomitant treatment with other eye drops, solution, instillations should be spaced out by 15 minutes.

Superficial stromal corneal precipitations of calcium phosphate have been reported under combined use of corticosteroids and topical beta-blockers.

CYP3A4 inhibitors (including ritonavir and cobicistat): may decrease dexamethasone clearance resulting in increased effects and adrenal suppression/Cushing's syndrome. The combination should be avoided unless the benefit outweighs the increased risk of systemic corticosteroid side-effects, in which case patients should be monitored for systemic corticosteroid effects.

4.6. Fertility, pregnancy and lactation

Pregnancy

Insufficient data are available on the use of dexamethasone eye drops, solution in human pregnancy to assess possible harmful effects. Corticosteroids cross the placenta. Teratogenic effects have been observed in animals (see section 5.3). However, there is no evidence to date that teratogenic effects are induced in humans. After systemic use of corticosteroids, at higher doses, effects on the unborn/neonate (intrauterine growth inhibition, inhibition of the function of the adrenal cortex) have been reported. However, these effects have not been reported for ocular use.

As a precautionary measure, it is preferable to avoid the use of Eythalm during pregnancy.

Breast-feeding

It is not known whether this medicine is excreted in breast milk. However, the total dose of dexamethasone is low.

Eythalm can be used during lactation.

Fertility

There are no data on potential effects of dexamethasone 1 mg/ml on fertility.

4.7. Effects on ability to drive and use machines

No studies on the effects on the ability to drive and use machines have been performed.

As with any eye drops, temporarily blurred vision or other visual disturbances may affect the ability to drive or use machines. If blurred vision occurs, the patient must wait until the vision is clear before driving or using machines.

4.8. Undesirable effects

Tabulated list of adverse reactions

System Organ Class

Frequency

Adverse Reactions

Eye disorders

Very common

(≥ 1/10)

Increase of the intra-ocular pressure*

Common

(≥ 1/100 to <1/10)

Discomfort*, irritation*, burning*, stinging*, itching* and blurred vision (see section 4.4)*

Uncommon

(≥ 1/1,000 to <1/100)

Allergic and hypersensitivity reactions, delayed wound healing, posterior capsular cataract*, opportunistic infections, glaucoma*

Very rare

(<1/10,000, including isolated reports)

Conjunctivitis, mydriasis, facial oedema, ptosis, corticosteroid-induced uveitis, corneal calcifications, crystalline keratopathy, changes in corneal thickness*, corneal oedema, corneal ulceration and corneal perforation

Endocrine disorders

Not known

(frequency cannot be estimated from the available data)

Cushing's syndrome, adrenal suppression (see section 4.4)

* see section Description of selected adverse reactions

Description of selected adverse reactions

Increase of the intra-ocular pressure, glaucoma and cataract may occur. Prolonged use of corticosteroid treatment may result in ocular hypertension/glaucoma (especially for patients with previous IOP induced by steroids or with pre-existing high IOP or Glaucoma) and also cataract formation, Children and elderly patients may be particularly susceptible to steroid-induced IOP rise (see section, 4.4).

Increase of the intra-ocular pressure induced by corticosteroid topical treatment has been generally observed within 2 weeks of treatment (see section 4.4.).

Diabetics are also more prone to develop subcapsular cataracts following topical steroid administration.

Discomfort, irritation, burning, stinging, itching and blurred vision frequently may occur immediately after instillation. These events are usually mild and transient and have no consequences.

In diseases causing thinning of the cornea, topical use of steroids could lead to perforation in some cases (see section 4.4).

Depression of adrenal function associated with systemic absorption of the product may occur when the instillations are administered with a frequent dosing schedule (see also sections 4.2 and 4.4).

Cases of corneal calcification have been reported very rarely in association with the use of phosphate containing eye drops in some patients with significantly damaged corneas.

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 (Website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store).

4.9. Overdose

In the case of topical overdose, the treatment should be stopped. In case of prolonged irritation, the eye(s) should be rinsed with sterile water.

The symptomatology due to accidental ingestion is not known. As with other corticosteroids however, the physician may consider gastric lavage or emesis.

💬 Ask about this leaflet

Ask anything about Eythalm 1mg/ml eye drops solution. The assistant answers only from this leaflet — if the leaflet does not cover it, it will say so. It does not give medical advice.

Answers come from the patient leaflet published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). They are not medical advice. Ask a pharmacist or your GP if you are unsure. For urgent help call NHS 111, or 999 in an emergency.

Pharmacies in major towns and cities — see the list
Pharmacies by county and region — see the full list

Browse all 2,009 towns and cities →