Product Details

What you need to know before you use Softacort Eye drops

Do not use Softacort: • If you are allergic to the active substance (hydrocortisone) or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6). • If you have high pressure inside the eye (ocular hypertension), known to be due to glucosteroids (family of corticosteroid medicines) or to other causes. • If you have an eye infection caused by viruses (acute herpes or most other viruses while there are ulcers, unless the infection is being treated with an anti-infective treatment for herpes virus). • If you have conjunctivitis with inflammation and ulcers on the clear cornea surface of the eye (keratitis) even if it is at an early stage. • If you have an eye infection caused by bacteria (acute purulent infection, conjunctivitis, blepharitis, stye). • If you have an eye infection caused by fungus (ocular mycosis). • If you have a bacterial infection called tuberculosis which affects your eye (ocular tuberculosis). Warnings and precautions • Talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse before using this medicine. • If you have a red eye that has not been diagnosed, do not use this medicine. • If you have a viral eye infection (herpes), only use this medicine if the infection is being treated with an anti-infective treatment and close monitoring of your eyes is required. • If you have a disease that causes thinning of the outer part of your eye (cornea and sclera), there can be a higher risk of perforation when topical corticosteroids are applied to the eye. • If you have used or have been using a corticosteroid medicine for a long time and have an eye wound (corneal ulcer), a fungal infection may be suspected. • Close regular monitoring of your eyes is required during your treatment. Prolonged use of corticosteroids has shown to cause an increase of the pressure inside the eye and the start of glaucoma, especially in patients who already suffer from high pressure inside the eye, or if you are known to be at risk of developing this condition with local steroid treatment (see Possible side effects), and to cause a clouding of the lens in the eye (cataract), in particular in children and older people. • The use of corticosteroids can cause eye infections that may not normally happen (opportunistic eye infections). In addition, corticosteroids given to the eye may increase, make worse or hide signs and symptoms of these eye infections. • You should avoid wearing contact lenses during treament with this medicine. • Contact your doctor if you experience blurred vision or other visual disturbances. Children There are no data on safety and effectiveness in children. Continuous long-term treatment with corticosteroids in children may produce adrenal suppression. The increase of the eye pressure in children occurs more frequently, more severely, and more quickly than in adults. Other medicines and Softacort Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are using, have recently used or might use any other medicines including medicines you have without a prescription. Some medicines may increase the effects of Softacort and your doctor may wish to monitor you carefully if you are taking theses medicines (including some medicines for HIV such as ritonavir or cobicistat). Pregnancy and breast-feeding If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine. • The use of this medicine during pregnancy is not recommended except when judged necessary by your doctor and under strict supervision. • It is not known whether this medicine passes into breast milk. Your doctor will decide if you can use this medicine during breast-feeding or not. Driving and using machines Temporary blurred vision or other sight problems may affect the ability to drive or use machines. Do not drive or use machines until normal vision has returned. Softacort contains phosphates This medicine contains 0.227 mg phosphates in each drop