Minims Oxybuprocaine Hydrochloride (Oxybuprocaine Hydrochloride)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Minims Oxybuprocaine Hydrochloride Used For?
Minims Oxybuprocaine is a local anaesthetic eye drop that temporarily numbs your eye to block pain during medical procedures.
Primary Uses
This medication is used to numb your eye during short-term medical procedures including: measuring eye pressure, inserting contact lenses, removing foreign objects from your eye, and other minor eye operations.
How It Works
As a local anaesthetic, it blocks the feeling of pain in your eye by temporarily numbing the area where it’s applied.
Good to know: This medication is specifically designed for short-term use during medical procedures and is administered by your doctor.
How to Take Minims Oxybuprocaine Hydrochloride
Your doctor will administer this medication directly into your eye before starting any procedure. You will not be given a prescription for home use.
Dosage Instructions
The usual dose is one drop into your eye before a procedure. For most procedures, one or two drops are sufficient. For removing foreign objects or minor surgery, three to six drops may be needed. The number of applications depends on the type and length of your procedure.
Important: This medication is only administered by healthcare professionals and is not for personal use at home.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Stinging or burning sensation in the eye
- Blurred vision and problems seeing clearly
- Local irritation or feeling of something in the eye
- Eye redness
- Eye itching
- Eye swelling
- Dry eye
- Skin rash
- Nausea and vomiting
- Difficulty swallowing food, liquids or saliva
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Ring-like structure in the outer part of the cornea
- Slow heartbeat
- Drowsiness
- Confusion or disorientation
- Agitation or feeling of extreme happiness
- Visual, hearing or speech disorders
- Tingling sensation in the skin
- Muscle twitching
- Seizure
- Shortness of breath
- Wheezing or difficulty breathing
- Swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other body parts
- Rash, itching or hives on the skin
Important Warnings
There are important safety considerations before using this medication.
Who Should Not Take Minims Oxybuprocaine Hydrochloride
Do not use if you are allergic to oxybuprocaine, any other local anaesthetic, or any ingredients in this medication. Do not use if you have an eye infection.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have had allergies to other medicines, foods, preservatives or dyes, have any other medical conditions, or take any other medications.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Check with your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to breastfeed.
Drug Interactions
Some medications may interfere with how Minims Oxybuprocaine works.
Tell your doctor: Inform your doctor about all medicines, vitamins, and supplements you’re taking, including those bought without prescription.
- Anticholinesterases (a group of medicines)
- Suxamethonium
Alcohol & Driving
This medication can affect your vision and ability to drive safely.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful before driving or using machines until you know how this medication affects you. Keep any eye patch your doctor applies until normal feeling returns. Do not drive or operate dangerous machinery until you regain clear vision.
Storage
Your doctor will store Minims Oxybuprocaine in a refrigerator at 2-8°C. The eye drops should not be frozen or exposed to strong light. Each single-dose unit is discarded immediately after use.
Overdose Information
If too many drops are accidentally put in your eye, immediately rinse with warm water (remove contact lenses first). If you accidentally swallow the solution, contact the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26 in Australia), your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital emergency department, even if you feel fine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your eye may remain numb for up to one hour after the last drop is applied. Your doctor will put a patch over your eye to protect it during this time.
You’ll need to remove contact lenses before the eye drops are applied. You can put them back in after the numbness wears off or when your doctor tells you it’s safe to do so.
Protect your numb eye from dust particles that could cause infections. Do not touch or rub your eye while it’s numb, as you could damage it without feeling it.
No, your doctor will not give you a prescription for personal use. This medication is specifically designed for use by healthcare professionals during medical procedures, not for long-term or home use.
Using this medication too frequently can damage the surface of your eye or cause tolerance, where your body becomes less responsive to the medication’s effects over time.
No, do not drive or operate machinery until you regain clear vision and normal feeling returns to your eye. Keep any eye patch your doctor applies until this happens.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.