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.
Minims Fluorescein Sodium 1% w/v, 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 Fluorescein sodium may still be available. Do not stop your treatment — ask your pharmacist or GP what to use instead.
What it is and what it is used for
for Minims® Fluorescein sodium contains a diagnostic agent. The active substance, fluorescein sodium, is a temporary dye used to: . help your doctor or eye specialist to examine your eye, . help your doctor or eye specialist to measure the pressure inside your eye by a test called tonometry, . help in the fitting of hard contact lenses. Scratches on the conjunctiva (the lining of the inside of the eyelids and part of the eye) are stained yellow or orange by fluorescein. Damages to the cornea (the transparent membrane covering the surface of the eye) are stained green. Any foreign bodies which are stuck in your eye are surrounded by a green ring. This medicine is indicated for children, adults and the elderly.
. .
2. Before you use your eye drops Do not use these drops if you are allergic to the active substance (fluorescein). you wear soft contact lenses.
If you are pregnant, may be pregnant, or are breastfeeding Tell your doctor or eye specialist, he/she may decide to use these drops or to prescribe you an alternative. Contact lenses Your doctor will ask you to remove your soft contact lenses prior to the administration of the drops. There is no information on the effect of this product on soft contact lenses. Therefore, do not wear your soft contact lenses until the effects of the drops have completely worn off. Driving and using machines As with all eye drops, your vision may be blurred after putting the drops in. This will wear off within a few minutes. Wait until your vision is clear before driving or using machines.
How to take it
your eye drops A doctor or eye specialist will use these eye drops to examine your eye. The drops are for single use only and provided in single use Minims units, to examine both eyes if necessary. Once opened, use immediately. Discard any unused portion. Dosage The normal dose is 1 to 2 drops in one or both eyes. Enough solution should be used to make sure that any damaged areas are stained.
Method of administration The doctor or eye specialist will put the drops in your eye for you. A sterile eyewash may be used to wash away any excess solution.
Possible side effects
The following side-effects have been reported very rarely: allergic reactions with redness and irritation of the eye, swelling around the eye, severe allergic reaction with difficulty in breathing and symptoms of shock, itchy skin rash with raised red blotches. If any of the side effects gets serious, please seek immediate medical attention. If you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell your doctor or pharmacist. Reporting of side effects If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via: Yellow Card Scheme – Website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.
How to store it
your eye drops Keep out of the reach and sight of children. Do not use the eye drops after the expiry date which is stated on the overwrap of each unit and on the carton after the letters "EXP". The expiry date refers to the last day of that month. Do not store above 25°C. Do not freeze. Store in the original package in order to protect from light. The drops are for single use only and provided in single use Minims units, to examine both eyes if necessary. Once opened, use immediately. Discard any unused portion. Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. These measures will help to protect the environment. 6. Further information What do your eye drops contain The active ingredient is fluorescein sodium. Each unit contains approximately 0.5 ml eye drops solution of fluorescein sodium 1% w/v (5 mg) or 2% w/v (10 mg). The other ingredient is purified water. This medicine does not contain a preservative as it is a sterile single use unit. Contents of the pack Each carton contains 20 units. Marketing Authorisation Holder Bausch & Lomb UK Ltd. 106 London Road – Kingston-upon-Thames – KT2 6TN – UK Manufacturer: Laboratoire Chauvin Zone Industrielle de Ripotier 50 Avenue Jean Monnet 07200 Aubenas France DATE OF PREPARATION: November 2023
Frequently asked questions about Minims Fluorescein Sodium 1% w/v, Eye drops solution
How do I take Minims Fluorescein Sodium 1% w/v, Eye drops solution?
Minims Fluorescein Sodium 1% w/v, Eye drops solution comes as eye drops. 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 Minims Fluorescein Sodium 1% w/v, Eye drops solution?
The active substance in Minims Fluorescein Sodium 1% w/v, Eye drops solution is fluorescein sodium.
Are there equivalent medicines to Minims Fluorescein Sodium 1% w/v, Eye drops solution?
Medicines with the same active substance, strength and form include: Minims Fluorescein Sodium 2%, 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 Minims Fluorescein Sodium 1% w/v, 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 Minims Fluorescein Sodium 1% w/v, 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.
- Source: electronic medicines compendium (emc), Datapharm
- Active substance: fluorescein sodium
- Official document: view the original leaflet on emc →
⚕For healthcare professionals — Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC)Full SmPC: dosage, interactions, contraindications, warnings+
4.1. Therapeutic indications
As a diagnostic stain. Fluorescein does not stain a normal cornea but conjunctival abrasions are stained yellow or orange, corneal abrasions or ulcers are stained a bright green and foreign bodies are surrounded by a green ring. Fluorescein can be used in diagnostic examinations including Goldmann tonometry and in the fitting of hard contact lenses.
4.2. Posology and method of administration
Adults, Children and the Elderly
Instil dropwise into the eye. Sufficient solution should be applied to stain the damaged areas. Excess may be washed away with sterile saline solution.
4.3. Contraindications
Not to be used with soft contact lenses.
4.4. Special warnings and precautions for use
Special care should be taken to avoid microbial contamination. Pseudomonas aeruginosa grows well in fluorescein solutions, therefore, a single dose solution is preferred. Each Minims unit should be discarded after a single use.
4.5. Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
None known.
4.6. Pregnancy and lactation
Safety for use in pregnancy and lactation has not been established, therefore use only when considered essential by the physician.
4.7. Effects on ability to drive and use machines
May cause transient blurring of vision on instillation. Warn patients not to drive or operate hazardous machinery until vision is clear.
4.8. Undesirable effects
ADRs are very rare(<1/10,000),including isolated reports.Symptoms of allergic-type reactions and anaphylaxis have been reported following topical ophthalmic administration of Fluorescein sodium and may manifest as:Eye disorders: allergic conjunctivitis, peri-orbital oedemaImmune system disorders: anaphylactic reaction Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders: urticaria, rash
4.9. Overdose
Overdose following the recommended use is unlikely.
💬 Ask about this leaflet
Ask anything about Minims Fluorescein Sodium 1% w/v, 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.