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Polydimethylsiloxane, Injection

pol-ee-dy-meth-il-OKS-ayn

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KEY POINTS

  • This medicine is given by injection during eye surgery to treat a detached retina.
  • Keep all appointments for tests to see how this medicine affects you.
  • This medicine may cause unwanted side effects. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that are serious, continue, or get worse.
  • Tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take.

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What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: silicone oil; retinal tamponade

Generic and brand names: polydimethylsiloxane, ophthalmic; silicone oil; Adato SIL-OL 5000

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is given by injection during eye surgery to treat a detached retina.

This medicine may be used to treat other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

How do I use it?

This medicine is injected into the vitreous space (back area of the eye) during surgery to hold the retina in place. It is usually left in the eye for up to 1 year before it is removed during surgery.

What should I watch out for?

After your surgery, your healthcare provider will want to see you regularly to determine your progress and to check for any side effects. Your healthcare provider will check your eyes for cataracts, glaucoma, or other complications of silicone oil use. Keep all your appointments.

This medicine may be removed when your retina is attached and stable.

If you wear contact lenses, ask your healthcare provider if you can continue to wear them.

If you need emergency care, surgery, lab tests, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you have received this medicine.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help.): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; chest pain or tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Serious (Report these to your healthcare provider right away.): Change in vision not present before treatment, or returning or getting worse after treatment; eye swelling, pain, or redness; new or worsening headache; flashing lights or spots in your vision; new or worsening watery eyes; new or worsening stomach pain, nausea, or vomiting.

What products might interact with this medicine?

No significant drug interactions have been reported. However, be sure your healthcare provider knows about all other medicines you are using in your eyes.

If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.


This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.

Developed by RelayHealth.
Medication Advisor 2016.4 published by RelayHealth.
Last modified: 2016-10-06
Last reviewed: 2016-02-11
This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information is intended to inform and educate and is not a replacement for medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.
Copyright © 2016 RelayHealth, a division of McKesson Technologies Inc. All rights reserved.
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