Fluorescein
Description
Fluorescein is an ophthalmological diagnostic agent used in an eye examination to detect the presence of lesions and foreign bodies in the eyes. The primary ingredient of Fluorescein is available as ophthalmic strips and injection. The ophthalmic strip is touched to the surface of the eye for staining the eye. The injectable form is given as a shot into a vein in the eye. This dye should be used only under the direct supervision of your ophthalmologist.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Fluorescein
- Swelling of the hands, face, lips or tongue
- Yellow colored skin
- Yellow colored urine
- Change in taste
- Dizziness and fainting
Uses of Fluorescein
What is it prescribed for?
- Fluorescein angiography of the ocular fundus
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe amount of time taken by this medicine to show its effect is subject to vary based on the individual, strength, and form of administration.
- Duration of effectThe amount of time for which this medicine remains effective is subject to vary based on the individual, strength, and form of administration.
- Safe with alcohol?Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
- Is it habit forming?No habit forming tendencies were reported.
- Usage in pregnancy?This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless necessary. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine.
- Usage while breast-feeding?This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless necessary. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine.
Allergy
This medicine is not recommended for use if you have a known allergy to fluorescein or any other mercury-containing compounds.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless necessary. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine.
Breast-feeding
This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless necessary. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine.
General warnings
Severe local tissue damage
Extravasation (the leakage of intravenous fluid into the tissue around the site of injection) during injection may result in severe local tissue damage including sloughing of the skin, phlebitis, toxic neuritis or subcutaneous granuloma. Appropriate corrective measures, dose adjustments, or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition of the patient.
Allergic reactions
Use of Fluorescein may trigger severe allergic reactions. If a potential allergy is suspected, it is advised to perform an intradermal skin test prior to the administration of Fluorescein. Patients should be monitored for such allergic reaction and appropriate corrective measures, dose adjustments, or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition of the patient.
Skin and urine discoloration
Use of Fluorescein may make your skin turn yellow in color immediately after administration and fade in 6 to 12 hours after the administration. It may also make the urine appear in bright yellow color for one to two days.
Gastrointestinal distress
Administration of Fluorescein may cause nausea, vomiting, or other gastrointestinal distress in some patients. These effects may subside within ten minutes.
Contact lenses
It is advised to remove the contact lenses before administering Fluorescein to avoid staining. Rinse the eyes with saline eye drops after the eye examination, and reinsert the contact lenses at least after one hour.
Driving or Operating machinery
Use of this medicine may cause visual disturbances. Hence, it is advised that you do not perform any activities that require high mental alertness such as driving a vehicle or operating heavy machinery if you experience any visual disturbances.
Missed Dose
Since Fluorescein is mostly given before and during an eye examination procedures, the likelihood of missing a dose is very less.
Overdose
Since Fluorescein is administered in the hospital or clinical setting by a qualified healthcare professional, the likelihood of an overdose is very less. However, emergency medical treatment will be initiated by the doctor if an overdose is suspected.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI's)
Beta blockers
Disease interactions
Disease
Information not available.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Fluorescein is usually administered in the clinical/hospital setting under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional. Follow all the instructions given by your doctor. Inform the doctor if you have a known allergy to this medicine. Report all your current medicines as well as your medical conditions to the doctor before receiving this medicine.
Miscelleneous
How it works
The yellowish-green fluorescence of this dye helps to visualize the blood vessels of the eye fundus region more clearly.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Ophthalmic diagnostic agents
Schedule
Schedule H
[Internet]. Drugbank.ca. 2018 [cited 20 December 2018]. Available from:
[Internet]. Pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. 2018 [cited 20 December 2018]. Available from:
[Internet]. Medlineplus.gov. 2018 [cited 20 December 2018]. Available from:
[Internet]. Medicines.org.uk. 2018 [cited 20 December 2018]. Available from:
Retigraph | Leading Eyecare Specialists in India | Sunways India Pvt Ltd. [Internet]. Sunways.com. 2019 [cited 22 February 2019]. Available from:
Information on this page was last updated on 22 Feb 2019
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.