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Drug information

OTC
Read time: 1 mins
Last updated: 18 Jan 2022

Summary of product characteristics


1. Name of the medicinal product

Brolene Eye Drops.


2. Qualitative and quantitative composition

Propamidine isetionate 0.1% w/v.

Excipient with known effect

• Benzalkonium chloride: 0,05 mg/ml (see section 4.4)


3. Pharmaceutical form

Eye drops.


4.1. Therapeutic indications

Propamidine isetionate is an aromatic diamidine disinfectant which is active against Gram-positive non-spore forming organisms, but less active against Gram-negative bacteria and spore forming organisms. It also has antifungal properties. It may be used topically for the treatment of minor eye infections such as conjunctivitis and blepharitis.


4.2. Posology and method of administration

One or two drops up to four times daily. Medical advice should be obtained if there has been no significant improvement after two days.


4.3. Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to propamidine or any other component of the preparation.


4.4. Special warnings and precautions for use

If vision is disturbed or symptoms become worse during therapy, discontinue use and consult a physician.

If there is no significant improvement after two days' therapy, discontinue use and consult a physician.

The eye drops are unsuitable for use with hard or soft contact lenses.

The drops should be discarded 28 days after first opening for domiciliary use or, when used under hospital conditions, seven days after first opening.

Benzalkonium chloride

Brolene contains 0,0025 mg benzalkonium chloride in each drop (0.05 ml), which is equivalent to 0.05 mg/ml.

Benzalkonium chloride may be absorbed by soft contact lenses and may change the colour of the contact lenses. The patient should be advised to remove contact lenses before using this medicine and put them back 15 minutes afterwards.

Benzalkonium chloride has been reported to cause eye irritation, symptoms of dry eyes and may affect the tear film and corneal surface. Brolene should be used with caution in dry eye patients and in patients where the cornea may be compromised.

Patients should be monitored in case of prolonged use.


4.5. Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

None known.


4.6. Fertility, pregnancy and lactation

Safety of use in pregnancy and lactation has not been established. Use during pregnancy and lactation only if considered essential by a physician.


4.7. Effects on ability to drive and use machines

May cause blurring of vision on instillation. Patients should not drive or operate hazardous machinery unless vision is clear.


4.8. Undesirable effects

Hypersensitivity may occur.

Eye pain or irritation, usually in the form of a stinging or burning sensation, may also occur. In such cases, use should be discontinued immediately and a physician should be consulted.

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.


4.9. Overdose

Topical overdosage not applicable. Oral ingestion of a full 10ml bottle is unlikely to cause any toxic effects.


5.1. Pharmacodynamic properties

Propamidine is a member of the aromatic diamidine group of compounds which possess bacteriostatic properties against a wide range of organisms. These diamidines exert antibacterial action against pyrogenic cocci, antibiotic resistant staphylococci and some Gram-negative bacilli, the activity of the diamidines being retained in the presence of organic matter such as tissue fluids, pus and serum.


5.2. Pharmacokinetic properties

No data available.


5.3. Preclinical safety data

None stated.


6.1. List of excipients

Ammonium chloride, Sodium chloride, Benzalkonium chloride, Sodium hydroxide, Water for injections.


6.2. Incompatibilities

None known.


6.3. Shelf life

24 months.

Once opened the drops should be discarded 28 days after first opening for domiciliary use or, when used under hospital conditions, 7 days after first opening.


6.4. Special precautions for storage

Store below 25°C.


6.5. Nature and contents of container

10 ml plastic dropper bottle and tamper-proof cap, or 10 ml plastic dropper bottle and tamper-proof cap together with an autodrop device as a separate item.


6.6. Special precautions for disposal and other handling

None stated.


7. Marketing authorisation holder

Thornton & Ross Ltd, trading as STADA

Linthwaite

Huddersfield

HD7 5QH

United Kingdom


8. Marketing authorisation number(s)

PL 00240/0579


9. Date of first authorisation/renewal of the authorisation

12/10/1990 / 05/02/2002


10. Date of revision of the text

01/11/2021

4.1 Therapeutic indications

Propamidine isetionate is an aromatic diamidine disinfectant which is active against Gram-positive non-spore forming organisms, but less active against Gram-negative bacteria and spore forming organisms. It also has antifungal properties. It may be used topically for the treatment of minor eye infections such as conjunctivitis and blepharitis.

4.2 Posology and method of administration

One or two drops up to four times daily. Medical advice should be obtained if there has been no significant improvement after two days.

4.3 Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to propamidine or any other component of the preparation.

4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use

If vision is disturbed or symptoms become worse during therapy, discontinue use and consult a physician.

If there is no significant improvement after two days' therapy, discontinue use and consult a physician.

The eye drops are unsuitable for use with hard or soft contact lenses.

The drops should be discarded 28 days after first opening for domiciliary use or, when used under hospital conditions, seven days after first opening.

Benzalkonium chloride

Brolene contains 0,0025 mg benzalkonium chloride in each drop (0.05 ml), which is equivalent to 0.05 mg/ml.

Benzalkonium chloride may be absorbed by soft contact lenses and may change the colour of the contact lenses. The patient should be advised to remove contact lenses before using this medicine and put them back 15 minutes afterwards.

Benzalkonium chloride has been reported to cause eye irritation, symptoms of dry eyes and may affect the tear film and corneal surface. Brolene should be used with caution in dry eye patients and in patients where the cornea may be compromised.

Patients should be monitored in case of prolonged use.

4.5 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

None known.

4.6 Fertility, pregnancy and lactation

Safety of use in pregnancy and lactation has not been established. Use during pregnancy and lactation only if considered essential by a physician.

4.7 Effects on ability to drive and use machines

May cause blurring of vision on instillation. Patients should not drive or operate hazardous machinery unless vision is clear.

4.8 Undesirable effects

Hypersensitivity may occur.

Eye pain or irritation, usually in the form of a stinging or burning sensation, may also occur. In such cases, use should be discontinued immediately and a physician should be consulted.

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.

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Disclaimer

The drug SPC information (indications, contra-indications, interactions, etc), has been developed in collaboration with eMC (www.medicines.org.uk/emc/). Medthority offers the whole library of SPC documents from eMC.

Medthority will not be held liable for explicit or implicit errors, or missing data.

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions 

Drug Licencing

Drugs appearing in this section are approved by UK Medicines & Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), & the European Medicines Agency (EMA).