Learn about Tetrahydrozoline Ophthalmic from Consumer Reports Health.

Prescription Drugs

contains or is another name for this drug.

Tetrahydrozoline Ophthalmic (tet ra hye droz' a leen)

Other names: A.R. Eye Drops , Collyrium Fresh, Murine Plus, Optigene 3, Tyzine, Visine | More

Why is this medication prescribed?

Tetrahydrozoline is used to relieve minor eye irritation and redness caused by colds, pollen, and swimming.

This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

How should this medication be used?

Tetrahydrozoline comes as eyedrops. The eyedrops usually are applied to the affected eyes three or four times a day. Follow the directions on the package label or your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Use tetrahydrozoline exactly as directed. Do not use more or less of it or use it more often than directed by your doctor.

To use the eyedrops, follow these instructions:

Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
Use a mirror or have someone else put the drops in your eye.
Remove the protective cap. Make sure that the end of the dropper is not chipped or cracked.
Avoid touching the dropper tip against your eye or anything else.
Hold the dropper tip down at all times to prevent drops from flowing back into the bottle and contaminating the remaining contents.
Lie down or tilt your head back.
Holding the bottle between your thumb and index finger, place the dropper tip as near as possible to your eyelid without touching it.
Brace the remaining fingers of that hand against your cheek or nose.
With the index finger of your other hand, pull the lower lid of the eye down to form a pocket.
Drop the prescribed number of drops into the pocket made by the lower lid and the eye. Placing drops on the surface of the eyeball can cause stinging.
Close your eye and press lightly against the lower lid with your finger for 2-3 minutes to keep the medication in the eye. Do not blink.
Replace and tighten the cap right away. Do not wipe or rinse it off.
Wipe off any excess liquid from your cheek with a clean tissue. Wash your hands again.

Other names

A.R.® Eye Drops (as a combination product containing Tetrahydrozoline Hydrochloride and Zinc Sulfate)
Collyrium Fresh®
Murine® Plus
Optigene® 3

Tyzine®
Visine®
Visine® A.C. (as a combination product containing Tetrahydrozoline Hydrochloride and Zinc Sulfate)
Visine® Moisturizing

Last Revised January 04, 2000

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