Riachol Eye Drops contain a medicine called chloramphenicol. This belongs to a group of medicines called antibiotics. It works by stopping the growth of bacteria, allowing your body to fight off the infection.

Riachol Eye Drops are used to treat minor infections of the eye or eyelid caused by bacteria (bacterial conjunctivitis). Signs include sore, red or inflamed eyes, sticky discharge or crust on the lids.

Do not use this medicine and tell your doctor if:

• You are allergic (hypersensitive) to chloramphenicol or any of the other ingredients of RIACHOL Eye Drops (listed in Section 6 below)
  Signs of an allergic reaction include: a rash, swallowing or breathing problems, swelling of your lips, face, throat, tongue and worsening of redness, itching or swelling of the eye or eyelid.
• You or anyone in your family have had any problems with your blood, including ‘aplastic anaemia’

Do not use this medicine if the above apply to you.

If you are not sure, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using RIACHOL Eye Drops.

Warnings and Precautions

Take special care with RIACHOL Eye Drops

Check with your doctor before using your medicine if:

• You have problems with your eyesight
• You have severe pain within the eye
• Your eyes are sensitive to light
• You have eye inflammation and a rash on your face or scalp
• Your eye looks cloudy
• The pupil of your eye looks unusual
• You think that you have a foreign object in your eye
• You have recently had conjunctivitis
• You have glaucoma
• Your eyes produce fewer tears (dry eye syndrome)
• You have had eye surgery or laser treatment in the last 6 months
• You have an eye injury
• You are using other eye drops or eye ointment
• You wear contact lenses. You should not wear contact lenses while using these eye drops and for at least 24 hours after completing your treatment.

If you are not sure if the above apply to you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using RIACHOL Eye Drops.

Using other medicines

Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines. This includes medicines you buy without a prescription, including herbal medicines. This is because RIACHOL Eye Drops can affect the way some other medicines work. Also some medicines can affect the way RIACHOL Eye Drops work.

In particular, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following:

• Medicines for cancer
• Medicines for the immune system such as azathioprine.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding

Talk to your doctor before using this medicine if you are pregnant, might become pregnant, or think you may be pregnant.

You should not breast-feed if you are taking RIACHOL Eye Drops. This is because small amounts may pass into mothers’ milk.

If you are breast-feeding or planning to breast-feed, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking or using any medicine.

Driving and using machines

You may have blurred eyesight straight after using this medicine. If this happens, do not drive or use any tools or machines until you can see clearly.

Always use RIACHOL Eye Drops exactly as your doctor has told you. You should check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.

Using this medicine

• Use the eye drops during waking hours only                              
• Do not use for more than 5 days without talking to your doctor

How to use this medicine

• Wash your hands
• Remove the cap from the bottle
• Tilt your head back
• Squeeze one drop inside the lower lid without touching your eye with the bottle
• Close your eye
• Wipe away any excess liquid from the eye with a clean tissue
• Always put the cap back on the bottle as soon as you have used it

How much to use

Adults, Elderly and Children over 2 years of age

• One drop in the affected eye every two hours for the first 2 days (48 hours)
• After the first 2 days, one drop in the affected eye every four hours
• Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if your symptoms do not improve within 2 days or if your eyes get worse
• Keep using the eye drops for 5 days even if your symptoms improve

If you forget to use RIACHOL Eye Drops

If you forget a dose, use your drops as soon as you remember. However, if it is nearly time for the next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not use a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.

If you stop using RIACHOL Eye Drops

Keep using the eye drops for 5 days even if your symptoms improve. Do not stop using RIACHOL Eye Drops just because your eye(s) feel better. If you stop, your infection may come back.

If you have any further questions on the use of this product, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Like all medicines, RIACHOL Eye Drops can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

Stop using RIACHOL Eye Drops and see a doctor as soon as possible if:

• You get any kind of skin problem, such as a rash or itching around your eyes or they become more red
• You bruise more easily than usual or you get infections more easily or frequently than usual. You may also feel tired or weak
• You notice any swelling of your face, lips or tongue, itching or rash with swelling of skin.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side effects get serious or lasts longer than a few days:

• Stinging or burning in your eyes. This should only last for a short time and occurs immediately after using the eye drops

If you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell your doctor or pharmacist

-       Keep out of reach and sight of children.

-       This medicine needs to be stored upright between 2-8°C (in a refrigerator). Do not allow it to freeze.

-       Once the pack has been opened, the contents should be used within 28 days.

-       Keep in the original pack to protect from light.

-       Do not use RIACHOL after the expiry date which is stated on the bottle and on the carton the bottle is packed in.

-       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.