Benoxy

Benoxy is an ophthalmological drug. It belongs to the category of local anesthetics.

Indications Benoxine

It is used for local short-term anesthesia of the conjunctiva area with the cornea:

• in the process of removing foreign objects from the conjunctiva or cornea;
• when performing gonioscopy, ocular tonometry and other diagnostic procedures;
• in preparation for performing a retrobulbar or subconjunctival injection.

Release form

It is produced as a solution for eye drops, in a 10 ml dropper bottle. Inside a separate pack there is 1 bottle with solution.

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Pharmacodynamics

The active component of the drug is oxybuprocaine hydrochloride - an artificial local anesthetic from the category of esters of the PABA group. The substance is a powerful surface anesthetic with a rapidly increasing effect. It has a short-term analgesic effect on the treatment area (within 10-20 minutes).

Medicinal doses of the substance, which reach the nerve receptors, block the appearance of nerve impulses and their transmission for some time. As a result, transient anesthesia develops at the site of instillation of drops. Benoxy does not affect the accommodation function, nor the width of the eye pupil.

After the local anesthetic effect has worn off, the pupil regains its previous sensitivity. In vitro studies have shown that oxybuprocaine has weak antibacterial properties.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption of oxybuprocaine after the procedure of instillation of the solution into the conjunctival sac is quite weak. The substance is absorbed into the systemic bloodstream.

In the bloodstream, the substance is immediately metabolized by plasma esterase (the ether bond is broken), during which inactive decay products are formed. The main one is 3-butoxy-4-aminobenzoic acid, which is 80% excreted through the kidneys, synthesized with glucuronic acid.

Dosing and administration

The solution should be instilled into the conjunctival sac. It is necessary to close the eyes after each drop.

When anesthetizing a section of the conjunctiva or cornea:

• to remove foreign objects located on the surface of the eye, it is necessary to instill the medicine three times (1 drop) with an interval of 5 minutes;
• to eliminate deeply located particles, the medicine is instilled 5-10 times (1 drop) at intervals of 0.5-1 minute;
• Before performing retrobulbar or subconjunctival injection procedures, instill 1 drop three times at 5-minute intervals;
• Before gonioscopy, ocular tonometry and other procedures, a single administration of 1-2 drops is required.

Before instilling the medicine, it is necessary to press lightly on the lacrimal sac from the inside of the eye, and then, 1 minute after the procedure, release it - this is necessary to reduce the systemic absorption of the solution.

Before administering the drops, contact lenses must be removed. They can be put back on after the anesthetic effect has ended.

When using other topical ophthalmic drugs in combination with Benoxi, it is necessary to observe intervals between their applications (they should be at least 5 minutes).

Use Benoxine during pregnancy

There is no information on the safety of using the drug during pregnancy. During this period, it is allowed to be used only with the permission of a doctor, in cases where the probable benefit to the woman will exceed the possibility of adverse reactions in the fetus.

There is also no data on whether the active substance passes into breast milk. The solution should only be used if the doctor decides that the benefit to the mother from the drug is greater than the risk of complications in the baby.

Contraindications

Main contraindications:

• the presence of intolerance to the active component and other elements of the drug;
• hypersensitivity to other local anesthetics from the category of PABA esters or amides;
• eye infections;
• use in children under 2 years of age.

Side effects Benoxine

The use of drops can cause the development of the following side effects:

• reactions of the visual organs: after the instillation procedure, a short-term burning and tingling sensation or redness may occur. With frequent or prolonged use of drops, the following disorders may occur: stromal infiltration, edema, discoid or candidal keratitis, as well as the formation of peripheral rings in the cornea, the development of addiction and damage to epithelial cells along with incurable superficial damage to the endothelial cells of the cornea. Corneal ulcers and cataracts may also occur, and in addition, the stability of the tear film may decrease. Episodes of fibrinous iritis have been reported;
• disorders in the functioning of the cardiovascular system: occurrence of bradycardia;
• manifestations from the nervous system: a feeling of excitement, disorientation, euphoria, confusion, as well as sedation, visual, auditory or speech disorders, the appearance of muscle cramps or paresthesia and loss of consciousness. In case of severe intoxication, respiratory arrest, the appearance of cramps and the development of a comatose state are observed;
• manifestations from the gastrointestinal tract: development of vomiting, dysphagia and nausea;
• immune reactions: allergic reactions, including swelling of the eyelids, hyperemia, itching, anaphylaxis, urticaria, contact allergies and angioedema.

Overdose

Long-term use of the drug or its use in large doses can provoke the appearance of general side effects. General toxicity affects the work of the cardiovascular system and the central nervous system. The following disorders develop: a feeling of irritability, agitation, disorientation, confusion or euphoria, and in addition to this, sedation, insomnia, speech, hearing or vision disorders, as well as convulsions, nausea, paresthesia and vomiting. In addition, breathing disorders occur, shock, coma develop, blood pressure decreases and cardiac arrest occurs.

Symptomatic therapy is necessary to treat the disorders. The drug has no specific antidote.

Interactions with other drugs

Benoxy potentiates the properties of sympathomimetics and succinylcholine, and reduces the effectiveness of sulfonamides and β-blockers.

The medicine contains a preservative – chlorhexidine diacetate, which is incompatible with fluorescein solution. When used in combination, precipitation is observed. In addition, the drug is incompatible with mercury salts, silver nitrate and alkaline components.

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Storage conditions

Benoxy should be kept out of the reach of small children. Do not freeze the drops. The temperature should not exceed 25°C.

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Shelf life

Benoxy can be used for a period of 2 years from the date of manufacture of the medicine. At the same time, after opening the bottle, the medicine is suitable for use for a maximum of 28 days.