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 Oxybuprocaine Hydrochloride 0.4% w/v
⚠ 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 Oxybuprocaine hydrochloride 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® Oxybuprocaine Hydrochloride contains an anaesthetic. It is used to numb the surface of the eye temporarily. Your doctor or eye specialist will use it:
- to examine your eye without it being painful,
- to measure the pressure inside your eye,
- to perform minor operations such as the removal of stitches and foreign bodies,
- for the fitting of contact lenses, 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 (oxybuprocaine hydrochloride) or any of the other ingredients (refer to the end of this leaflet).
- you are using at the same time as Minims® Oxybuprocaine Hydrochloride other eye drops containing chlorhexidine acetate as a preservative. •
Take special care If you have had an allergic reaction to other local anaesthetics in the past. Inform your doctor or eye specialist.
- When your eye has been numbed it is important not to rub it and to keep it free of dust and bacterial contamination. Your doctor or eye specialist will make sure that your eye is properly protected.
- If you have an inflamed eye, as red eyes greatly increase the passage into the blood stream through the surface of the eyes. Your eye drops are not intended for long term use. Frequent use of local anaesthetic in the eye over long periods of time may severely affect your eyesight. •
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 contact lenses prior to the administration of the drops. There is no information on the effect of this product on contact lenses. Therefore, do not wear your 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. Wait until your vision is clear before driving or using machines.
How to take it
your eye drops The drops are in special single use "Minims" units, to treat both eyes if necessary. Once opened, use immediately. Discard any unused portion. Dosage The amount of anaesthetic used will vary, depending on the procedure decided by your doctor or eye specialist:
One drop of solution is enough to allow your doctor or eye specialist to measure the pressure inside your eye.
- Two drops, one and a half minutes apart is enough to allow contact lenses to be fitted.
- Three drops at one and a half minute intervals is enough to allow minor operations to be performed. •
Method of administration The doctor or eye specialist will put the drops in your eye for you. You may be asked to press on the inner corners of your eyelid for 3 minutes. This will help stop the solution draining into your nose and throat. This is especially advisable in children, the elderly and population at risk. Your eye will remain numb for about one hour, depending on how many drops you received. Avoid touching the eye until the anaesthetic has worn off. If you have other eye drops to instill, you should wait at least 15 minutes before administering them. If you use more Minims® Oxybuprocaine Hydrochloride than you should, an overdose is very unlikely to occur. If you suddenly feel unwell after receiving the drops, tell your doctor or eye specialist or contact your nearest emergency department immediately.
4. Possible side effects
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. Minims® Oxybuprocaine Hydrochloride may sting when the drops are first put in and your vision may become blurred. Eye irritation may also occur. This will gradually wear off. Other side effects Not known: frequency cannot be estimated from the available data. Minims Oxybuprocaine Hydrochloride does not usually cause side effects, but allergic reactions (including anaphylactic shock have occasionally occurred. The symptoms of anaphylaxis/anaphylactic shock (severe allergic reactions) are difficulty breathing or swallowing, swelling of the face, lips, throat or tongue and severe skin rash. You should inform your doctor immediately if you get any of these symptoms. The symptoms of an allergic reaction are redness, swelling and itching of the eyes. This medicine can affect the cornea (the transparent membrane covering the iris and the pupil of the eye), causing intense discomfort, pain, redness, sensitivity to light or loss of visual acuity (the clarity or sharpness of vision). Red, swollen or itchy eyes, burning or tearing of the eyes, itchy eyelids, foreign body sensation may also occur. Reporting of side effects If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible
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. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
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 to protect from light. The drops are in special single use "Minims" units, to treat 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 oxybuprocaine hydrochloride. Each unit contains approximately 0.5 ml eye drops solution of oxybuprocaine hydrochloride 0.4% w/v (2 mg).
- The other ingredients are hydrochloric acid (for pH adjustment) and 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 Oxybuprocaine Hydrochloride 0.4% w/v
What is the active substance in Minims Oxybuprocaine Hydrochloride 0.4% w/v?
The active substance in Minims Oxybuprocaine Hydrochloride 0.4% w/v is oxybuprocaine hydrochloride.
Where does this information come from?
This leaflet reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for Minims Oxybuprocaine Hydrochloride 0.4% w/v, 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 Oxybuprocaine Hydrochloride 0.4% w/v 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: oxybuprocaine hydrochloride
- 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 topical ocular anaesthetic.
4.2. Posology and method of administration
Adults (including the Elderly) and Children
One drop is sufficient when dropped into the conjunctival sac to anaesthetise the surface of the eye to allow tonometry after one minute. A further drop after 90 seconds provides adequate anaesthesia for the fitting of contact lenses. Three drops at 90 second intervals provides sufficient anaesthesia for a foreign body to be removed from the corneal epithelium or for incision of a meibomian cyst through the conjunctiva. Corneal sensitivity is normal again after about one hour.
Instil dropwise into the eye according to the recommended dosage. Each Minims unit should be discarded after use.
4.3. Contraindications
Not to be used in patients with a known hypersensitivity to the product.
4.4. Special warnings and precautions for use
Transient stinging and blurring of vision may occur on instillation.
The anaesthetised eye should be protected from dust and bacterial contamination.
When applied to the conjunctiva, oxybuprocaine is less irritant than amethocaine in normal concentrations.
The cornea may be damaged by prolonged application of anaesthetic eye drops.
4.5. Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
None stated.
4.6. Pregnancy fertility and lactation
This product should not be used in pregnancy or lactation, unless considered essential by the physician.
4.7. Effects on ability to drive and use machines
Patients should be advised not to drive or operate hazardous machinery until normal vision is restored.
4.8. Undesirable effects
The side effects are listed in the following frequencies: Very common (≥ 1/10); Common (≥ 1/100, < 1/10); Uncommon (≥ 1/1,000, < 1/100); Rare (≥ 1/10,000, < 1/1,000); Very rare (< 1/10,000); Not known (cannot be estimated from the current available data).
In very rare cases, uncontrolled use, i.e. long-term and/or too frequent use, may result in keratopathy, hypopyon, or central corneal erosion including central scarring.
Corneal perforation may also be possible.
Transient irritation, stinging and blurring of vision may occur on instillation.
In rare cases, local anaesthetic preparations have been associated with allergic reactions (in the most severe instances, anaphylactic shock).
Table 1.
Eye disorders
Not known:
Eye pain, eye irritation, blurred vision, keratopathy, hypopyon, corneal erosion, corneal perforation, eye allergy, allergic blepharitis.
Immune system disorders:
Not known:
Hypersensitivity, anaphylactic reaction/shock.
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
Overdose following the recommended use is unlikely.
🇷🇴 Known in Romania as
Medicines sold in Romania with the same active substance: Cunoscut în România ca
⚠ Same active substance, but a different pharmaceutical form (for example a gel instead of a tablet). Not interchangeable — ask a pharmacist.
- BENOXI 4 mg/ml prescriptionOXYBUPROCAINI HYDROCHLORIDUM · eye / ear / nose
- OFTACAIN 4 mg/ml prescriptionOXYBUPROCAINI HYDROCHLORIDUM · eye / ear / nose
Same active substance. The strength, the form and whether you need a prescription can differ. Always ask a pharmacist before you switch. Romanian medicines in the UK →
🇵🇱 Known in Poland as
Medicines sold in Poland with the same active substance: W Polsce znany jako
⚠ Same active substance, but a different pharmaceutical form (for example a gel instead of a tablet). Not interchangeable — ask a pharmacist.
- NovainOxybuprocaini hydrochloridum · eye / ear / nose
Same active substance. The strength, the form and whether you need a prescription can differ. Always ask a pharmacist before you switch. Polish medicines in the UK →
💬 Ask about this leaflet
Ask anything about Minims Oxybuprocaine Hydrochloride 0.4% w/v. 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.