Fluorescein

What is Fluorescein?

• Fluorescein (Fluorescite; AK-Fluor) is an organic compound and dye used to help in the diagnosis of a number of eye problems.
• When applied as a drop or within a strip of paper to the surface of the eye it is used to help detect eye injuries such as foreign bodies and corneal abrasions.
• When given by mouth or injection into a vein it is used to help evaluate the blood vessels in the back of the eye during fluorescein angiography.

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Fluorescein retinography

What are the uses of this medicine?

• Fluorescein (Fluorescite; AK-Fluor) is used in diagnostic fluorescein angiography or angioscopy of the retina and iris vasculature.

How does this medicine work?

• Fluorescein sodium responds to electromagnetic radiation and light between the wavelengths of 465-490 nm and fluoresces, i.e., emits light at wavelengths of 520-530 nm.
• Thus, the hydrocarbon is excited by blue light and emits light that appears yellowish-green.
• Following intravenous injection of fluorescein sodium in an aqueous solution, the unbound fraction of the fluorescein can be excited with a blue light flash from a fundus camera as it circulates through the ocular vasculature, and the yellowish green fluorescence of the dye is captured by the camera.
• In the fundus, the fluorescence of the dye demarcates the retinal and/or choroidal vasculature under observation, distinguishing it from adjacent areas/structures.

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Fluorescein 2

Who Should Not Use this medicine ?

This medicine cannot be used in patients:

• with known hypersensitivity to fluorescein sodium or any other ingredients in this product.

What drug interactions can this medicine cause?

• Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Is this medicine FDA approved?

Initial U.S. Approval: 1976

• Fluorescein was first made in 1871.
• It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.

How should this medicine be used?

Fluorescein in ammonia solution (Part 40)

Recommended dosage:

• The normal adult dose of FLUORESCITE® Injection 10% (100 mg/mL) is 500 mg via intravenous administration.
• For children, the dose should be calculated on the basis of 7.7 mg for each kg of actual body weight (or 35 mg for each 10 pounds of body weight) up to a maximum of 500 mg via intravenous administration.

Administration:

• Fluorescein sodium is injected into a vein.
• Most often it is injected at the inside of your elbow.
• A camera-like device takes pictures as the dye moves through the blood vessels in the back of your eye.

What are the dosage forms and brand names of this medicine?

This medicine is available in fallowing doasage form:

• As Fluorescite Single use 5 mL vial containing 100 mg/mL fluorescein.
• As AK-Fluor® (fluorescein injection, USP) 10%, 100 mg/mL in a 5 mL single dose vial (3)
• AK-Fluor® (fluorescein injection, USP) 25%, 250 mg/mL in a 2 mL single dose vial

This medicine is available in fallowing brand namesː Fluorescite; AK-Fluor

What side effects can this medication cause?

The most common side effects of this medicine include:

• skin discoloration
• urine discoloration
• nausea
• vomiting
• gastrointestinal distress

What special precautions should I follow?

• Caution is to be exercised in patients with a history of allergy or bronchial asthma. Caution is to be exercised in patients with a history of allergy or bronchial asthma.
• Care must be taken to avoid extravasation during injection as the high pH of fluorescein solution can result in severe local tissue damage. When significant extravasation occurs, the injection should be discontinued and conservative measures to treat damaged tissue and to relieve pain should be implemented.
• Nausea and/or vomiting and gastrointestinal distress occur commonly within the first few minutes following injection. These reactions usually subside within 10 minutes.
• After administration of fluorescein sodium, skin will attain a temporary yellowish discoloration. Urine attains a bright yellow color. Discoloration of the skin usually fades in 6 to 12 hours and usually fades in urine in 24 to 36 hours.

What to do in case of emergency/overdose?

• In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline of your country. In the United States, call 1-800-222-1222.

• Overdose related information is also available online at poisonhelp.org/help.
• In the event that the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services. In the United States, call 911.

Can this medicine be used in pregnancy?

• It is also not known whether fluorescein sodium can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman.
• Fluorescein sodium should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed.

Can this medicine be used in children?

• safety or effectiveness of fluorescein sodium in pediatric patients have been established.

What are the active and inactive ingredients in this medicine?

Active ingredients:

• FLUORESCEIN SODIUM

Inactive Ingredients:

• SODIUM HYDROXIDE
• HYDROCHLORIC ACID
• WATER

Who manufactures and distributes this medicine?

Fluorescite® 10%:

• Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
• Fort Worth, Texas 76134 USA
• a trademark of Norvatis

AK-Fluor: Distributed by:

• Akorn Operating Company LLC
• Gurnee, IL

What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication?

• AK-Fluor should be stored at 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F).
• Do not freeze.
• Fluorescite should be stored at 2°- 25°C (36°- 77°F).
• Do Not Freeze.

• Dailymed label info on Fluorescein
• FDA Fluorescein

Fluorescein Resources
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