The health of our eyes is influenced by many adverse factors. A polluted atmosphere, significant visual stress, constant use of corrective lenses, stress and a predisposition to allergies cause discomfort, “dry eyes”.
Natural tear fluid is produced in insufficient quantities, the mucous membranes of the corneas become irritated and inflamed.
The drug Oftagel will help get rid of discomfort and establish the natural process of moisturizing the mucous membranes.
Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics
The active component of the drug is a high molecular weight carboxyvinyl polymer . Eye gel is designed to moisturize the cornea. It creates a transparent moisturizing and lubricating film. The pH of this product is close to the pH of natural tears. It removes manifestations of irritation, as well as symptoms that arise due to dry eye syndrome ( compensatory lacrimation , burning, itching, visual fatigue , sensation of a foreign body on the eye), and prevents the cornea from drying out.
Penetration into the tissue of the eyeball and accumulation is unlikely. The drug is not absorbed into the gastrointestinal tract and blood.
How it works
The eye gel does an excellent job of moisturizing and remains in contact with the cornea for a long time. The functions of the carbomer include restoring the damaged mucin tear layer, binding water molecules on the surface of the cornea, and forming a thin polymer film to protect the eye from external influences.
The effectiveness and safety of the drug has been carefully studied during clinical trials. The studies were conducted on animals. The gel was dripped into the rabbits 4 times a day for a month.
The researchers noted no cases of negative reactions to the drug.
At the same time, the acrylic polymer demonstrates inertness, does not penetrate tissue, is not absorbed into the blood, and is excreted from the body naturally.
Instructions for use Oftagel (Method and dosage)
For those who decide to use Oftagel eye drops, the instructions for use recommend instilling a drop 1-4 times a day. The exact dosage depends on the symptoms that appear. You need to wash your hands before using them.
The instructions for Oftagel advise tilting your head, pulling back the lower eyelid and dripping the product into the conjunctival sac between the lower eye and the eyelid. In this case, you need to try not to touch the eyelid and eye with the tip of the pipette. After the procedure, you must immediately close the bottle of medicine.
What is included in the product
The main active ingredient is the acrylic polymer carbomer. The product is sterile and safe and does not contain any components harmful to the body. The main task of carbomer is to restore the tear film that protects the surface of the eyeball.
The gel goes on sale in a convenient plastic bottle equipped with a dropper. Bottle capacity – 10 ml. The content of the main substance is 0.25%. Purified water for injection, sorbitol, lysine monohydrate, benzalkonium chloride, sodium acetate and polyvinyl alcohol are used as excipients and fillers.
The gel form combines the benefits of drops and ointment. The product can be gently dripped into the eyes, while the thick consistency does not allow the medicine to flow out, remains under the eyelid and is evenly distributed over the surface of the eye shell.
Oftagel analogs
Level 4 ATC code matches: Systain Ultra
Systain Gel
Systain Balance
Okoferon
Khilozar-Komod
Hilo-Chest
Visine Pure Tear
Restasis
Catalin
Quinax
Mirtilene Forte
Emoxy optic
Adgelon
Vita-Iodurol
Natural tear
Artificial Tear
Optiv
Ophtolic
Balarpan
Taurine
The following analogues of Oftagel can be obtained in pharmacies:
- Vidisk;
- Oftagel Uno;
- Sikalos.
These eye drops are practically no different in price from Oftagel.
When is Oftagel used?
If you experience burning sensation caused by excessive dryness of your eyes, consult your ophthalmologist. The specialist will prescribe the correct treatment and prevent the development of serious eye diseases. Oftagel is indicated for several diseases:
- dry keratoconjunctivitis;
- if irritated by air contaminated with dust or smoke;
- with excessive stress on the visual system resulting from long periods of work at the computer;
- with insufficient secretion of natural tear fluid;
- when Stevens-Johnson syndrome is detected, which is expressed in acute allergic damage to the cornea and eye membranes;
- for the treatment of Sjogren's disease, manifested by decreased secretion of the lacrimal glands;
- when there is a violation of the contact of the cornea with the tear, resulting from damage to the eyelids;
- Oftagel quickly restores the visual apparatus during rehabilitation after surgical interventions on the cornea.
Oftagel price, where to buy
You can often find Oftagel eye drops in pharmacies; their price is considered quite affordable among analogues. Their cost in Ukraine is about 50 hryvnia. The price of Oftagel in Russia is approximately 200 rubles.
- Online pharmacies in RussiaRussia
- Online pharmacies in UkraineUkraine
- Online pharmacies in KazakhstanKazakhstan
ZdravCity
- Oftagel ophthalmic gel 2.5 mg/g 10 gUrsapharm Arzneimittel GmbH
RUR 364 order
Pharmacy Dialogue
- Oftagel ophthalmic gel (vial 2.5 mg/g 10 g with pipette) Ursapharm
RUB 314 order
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Pharmacy24
- Oftagel 2.5 mg/g 10 g gel Santen AT, Finland/Ursafarm Arzneimittel GmbH, Nimechtina
88 UAH.order
PaniPharmacy
- Oftagel gel Oftagel eye gel 10g Finland, Santen
97 UAH order
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Contraindications
During clinical trials, a high level of safety of the drug was established. You should refuse to use an effective product if you have an individual allergic reaction to the components of the product.
Use the drug during pregnancy and breastfeeding only after consulting a doctor. The fact of a negative effect on the body of the fetus or child has not been established, but the possibility of allergic reactions cannot be excluded.
Side effects
Short-term loss of visual acuity may occur immediately after use. After introducing the gel under the eyelid, you may experience a tingling sensation and irritation in the eyes.
If several eye medications are prescribed at the same time, then Oftagel should be used last, no earlier than 15 minutes after the administration of the last drug.
Cheap analogues
The composition and chemical structure of substitutes may vary slightly. The dosage of the active ingredients is also different, so use is possible only after consultation.
Taurine
The drug helps normalize osmoregulation processes in the tissues of the eyeball. Taurine improves metabolism and regenerates damaged tissue.
The medicine is low-toxic. The only side effects include allergies to the components. Prescribed for erosive lesions, cataracts, keratitis, retinal or corneal dystrophy.
Costs 7 rubles. This is the cheapest Oftagel substitute.
Vixipin
The active substance is methylethylpyridinol hydrochloride. 1 ml of the drug contains 100 mg of the substance.
The agent is an antioxidant, strengthens the vascular wall, stabilizes the cell membrane. Vixipin has antiaggregation (reducing the ability of platelets and other blood elements to form blood clots) and antihypoxic effects. Instilled into the conjunctival cavity 3 times a day.
Price — 169 rub.
Pharmacological properties
Pharmacodynamics
The active ingredient of Oftagel is carbomer, which is a high molecular weight carboxyvinyl polymer (polyacrylate). This substance increases the viscosity of tears, forming a protective moisturizing film on the outer surface of the cornea, and also helps to thicken the aqueous and mucin layers of the tear film.
Carbomer eliminates the irritation symptoms that accompany dry eye syndrome. Symptoms of this condition include visual fatigue, compensatory lacrimation, burning, itching, and sensation of a foreign body in the eye. Prolonged contact of the tear film with the cornea has a beneficial effect on the patient's condition in case of insufficient tear production. Oftagel is able to prolong the absorption of other ophthalmic drugs used in combination with it. Its pH is almost identical to that of natural tears.
Pharmacokinetics
When applied topically, the drug is unlikely to penetrate the active component through the cornea and into the systemic circulation due to the relatively large size of the carbomer molecules.
Indications for use
Oftagel is a drug intended for the treatment of diseases accompanied by dry eye syndrome, manifested by compensatory lacrimation, sensation of a foreign body in the eye, burning, itching:
- Eye irritation due to computer work (“office eye syndrome”), exposure to smoke or dust, etc.;
- Dry keratoconjunctivitis;
- Stevens-Johnson syndrome;
- Diseases of the eyelids, in which there is insufficient contact of the cornea with the tear;
- Sjögren's disease;
- Insufficient tear production.
Oftagel is also used for rehabilitation therapy after surgical or laser interventions on the cornea.
special instructions
One bottle is intended to treat only one person.
Do not touch the tip of the pipette to the eye, eyelid or other surfaces.
After instillation, you must immediately close the bottle.
The benzalkonium chloride contained in Oftagel can be absorbed by contact lenses and discolor them, so they must be removed before instillation and then installed no earlier than 30 minutes later.
When other ophthalmic drugs are prescribed simultaneously, Oftagel should be instilled last with a minimum interval of 15 minutes.
Since the eye gel may cause a short-term decrease in visual acuity, immediately after instillation you should not drive a car or perform potentially dangerous types of work that require clear visual perception.
Storage conditions
The bottle is stored upside down so that the contents flow into the dropper without delay. Storage temperature should be within 15-25 degrees. The product should not be stored in an open place; it is better to put it in a room protected from bright sunlight.
Do not touch the dropper to your eye to avoid accidentally contaminating the contents. Close the cap immediately after use.
Expiration dates
Once opened, the gel package should be used within 30 days. The sealed container can be stored for up to 30 months from the date of manufacture. Shelf life must be indicated on the packaging.
The advantage of using Oftagel
- The product lasts for a long time, so it does not require frequent instillations;
- Acrylic polymer forms an ultra-thin film on the surface of the eye that does not cause discomfort;
- The gel-like consistency allows you to use a convenient bottle with a dropper instead of a tube;
- A small bottle lasts a long time due to the cost-effectiveness of the product;
- Oftagel is easily tolerated by patients and has virtually no contraindications;
- The gel contains very few preservatives;
- The product is not addictive.
