Akten Gel

Akten Gel is used for:

Numbing the eye during certain ocular procedures.

Akten Gel is a local anesthetic. It works by preventing nerves from transmitting painful impulses to the brain.

Do NOT use Akten Gel if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Akten Gel

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Akten Gel:

Some medical conditions may interact with Akten Gel. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Akten Gel. Because little, if any, of Akten Gel is absorbed into the blood, the risk of it interacting with another medicine is low.

Ask your health care provider if Akten Gel may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Akten Gel:

Use Akten Gel as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Akten Gel is usually given at your doctor's office, hospital, or clinic before eye surgery. If you will be using Akten Gel at home, follow the procedures you are taught when you use a dose. Contact your health care provider if you have any questions.
• Do not touch or rub the eye until the numbing effect of the medicine is gone.
• If you miss a dose of Akten Gel, check with your doctor right away.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Akten Gel.

Important safety information:

• Akten Gel may cause blurred vision. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks if you cannot see clearly.
• Akten Gel may cause harm if it is swallowed. If you may have taken it by mouth, contact your poison control center or emergency room right away.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant while using Akten Gel, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Akten Gel while you are pregnant. Akten Gel is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Akten Gel, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of Akten Gel:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

If OVERDOSE is suspected: Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org), or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include blurred vision; vision loss.

Store Akten Gel between 59 and 77 degrees F (15 and 25 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Akten Gel out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Akten Gel, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Akten Gel is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Akten Gel. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.