Medical Editor: John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP
What Is Akten?
Akten (lidocaine hydrochloride) Ophthalmic Gel 3.5% is a topical eye anesthetic used for ocular surface anesthesia during ophthalmologic procedures.
What Are Side Effects of Akten?
Common side effects of Akten include:
- eye redness (enlarged blood vessels in the eye)
- corneal changes
- headache, and
- burning when you apply the drops
Dosage for Akten
The recommended dose of Akten is 2 drops applied to the ocular surface in the area of the planned procedure.
What Drugs, Substances, or Supplements Interact with Akten?
Akten may interact with other drugs. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.
Akten During Pregnancy or Breastfeeding
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant before using Akten. This drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.
Additional Information
Our Akten (lidocaine hydrochloride) Ophthalmic Gel 3.5% Side Effects Drug Center provides a comprehensive view of available drug information on the potential side effects when taking this medication.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
QUESTION
What causes dry eyes? See AnswerGet emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using this medicine and call your doctor at once if you have severe irritation or swelling of any treated skin.
Your skin can absorb topical steroid medicine, which may cause steroid side effects throughout the body. Tell your doctor if you have:
- weight gain (especially in your face or your upper back and torso);
- slow wound healing, thinning skin, increased body hair;
- irregular menstrual periods, changes in sexual function; or
- muscle weakness, tired feeling, depression, anxiety, feeling irritable.
Common side effects may include:
- redness or swelling of treated skin;
- thinning of treated skin; or
- numbness on areas where the medicine is accidentally applied.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Read the entire detailed patient monograph for Akten (Lidocaine Hydrochloride Ophthalmic Gel)
SLIDESHOW
Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis) Symptoms, Causes, Treatments See SlideshowSIDE EFFECTS
Most common adverse reactions are conjunctival hyperemia, corneal epithelial changes, headache, and burning upon instillation.
Read the entire FDA prescribing information for Akten (Lidocaine Hydrochloride Ophthalmic Gel)
© Akten Patient Information is supplied by Cerner Multum, Inc. and Akten Consumer information is supplied by First Databank, Inc., used under license and subject to their respective copyrights.