Drug Reference

Benoxinate

Anesthetics for topical use

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Fact box

Therapeutic class
Anesthetics for topical use
Habit forming
No
Availability
Prescription (Rx)

Brand names

Altafluor

Available as

4 MG/ML · Ophthalmic Solution

FDA label sections are from openFDA and may not reflect the most recent labeling — confirm against the current DailyMed label.

Uses
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Fluorescein Sodium and Benoxinate Hydrochloride Ophthalmic Solution, 0.3%/0.4% is indicated for ophthalmic procedures in adult and pediatric patients requiring a disclosing agent in combination with a topical ophthalmic anesthetic agent. Fluorescein Sodium and Benoxinate Hydrochloride Ophthalmic Solution, 0.3%/0.4% is a combination of fluorescein sodium, a disclosing agent and benoxinate hydrochloride, a local ester anesthetic indicated for procedures in adult and pediatric patients requiring a disclosing agent in combination with a topical ophthalmic anesthetic. ( 1 )
How it works
12 CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY 12.2 Pharmacodynamics Maximal corneal anesthesia usually occurs in about 5-45 seconds and lasts about 20 minutes after single administration. The anesthetic effect may be extended by subsequent administration 10-20 minutes after the last administration.
How to use / dosing
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Instill 1 to 2 drops topically in the eye as needed. Instill 1 to 2 drops topically in the eye as needed to achieve adequate anesthesia. ( 2 )
Side effects
6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following serious ocular adverse reactions are described elsewhere in the labeling: Corneal Toxicity [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] Corneal Injury Due to Insensitivity [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] The following adverse reactions have been identified following use of Fluorescein Sodium and Benoxinate Hydrochloride Ophthalmic Solution, 0.3%/0.4%: ocular hyperemia, burning, stinging, eye irritation, blurred vision and punctate keratitis. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. The most common ocular adverse events are: stinging, burning and conjunctival redness. ( 6) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Bausch & Lomb Incorporated at 1-800-553-5340 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Safety advice

Conservative summary derived from FDA labeling — defaults to “consult your doctor” unless the label is explicit. Not a substitute for your clinician’s advice.

PregnancyConsult your doctor
8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary There are no available data on the use of Fluorescein Sodium and Benoxinate Hydrochloride Ophthalmic Solution, 0.3%/0.4% in pregnant women to inform any drug associated risk. Adequate animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with fluorescein sodium and/or benoxinate hydrochloride. Fluorescein Sodium and Benoxinate Hydrochloride Ophthalmic Solution, 0.3%/0.4% should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed.
BreastfeedingConsult your doctor
…8.2 Lactation Risk Summary There are no data on the presence of fluorescein sodium or benoxinate hydrochloride in human milk after ocular administration of Fluorescein Sodium and Benoxinate Hydrochloride…
AlcoholNo information
No specific information in the FDA label.
DrivingNo information
No specific information in the FDA label.
KidneyNo information
No specific information in the FDA label.
LiverNo information
No specific information in the FDA label.
Warnings & precautions
5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Corneal Toxicity : Prolonged use or abuse may lead to corneal epithelial toxicity and manifest as epithelial defects which may progress to permanent corneal damage. ( Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. ) Corneal Injury : Patients should not touch the eye for approximately 20 minutes after using anesthetic as accidental injuries can occur due to insensitivity of the eye. ( 5.2 ) 5.1 Corneal Toxicity Prolonged use or abuse may lead to corneal epithelial toxicity and may manifest as epithelial defects which may progress to permanent corneal damage with accompanying visual loss. 5.2 Corneal Injury Due to Insensitivity Patients should not touch the eye for approximately 20 minutes after using this anesthetic as accidental injuries can occur due to insensitivity of the eye.
Contraindications
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS Fluorescein Sodium and Benoxinate Hydrochloride Ophthalmic Solution, 0.3%/0.4% is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to any component of this product. Known hypersensitivity to any component of this product. ( 4 )

Pediatric use

8.4 Pediatric Use The safety and effectiveness of Fluorescein Sodium and Benoxinate Hydrochloride Ophthalmic Solution, 0.3%/0.4% have been established for pediatric patients. Use of Fluorescein Sodium and Benoxinate Hydrochloride Ophthalmic Solution, 0.3%/0.4% is supported in pediatric patients by evidence from adequate and well controlled studies.

⚑ About half of pediatric medication use is off-label and not described in FDA labels — absence of pediatric information does not mean a medicine is unused or unsafe in children. Confirm with your clinician.

Current FDA labels (DailyMed)

3 marketed products on record (RxNorm)

Reference only — not clinical advice. Verify against current FDA labeling and consult a licensed provider. About half of pediatric drug use is off-label and is not reflected in FDA labels; absence of pediatric information does not mean a medicine is unused or unsafe in children.