How to Apply Medication Patches & Eye Drops | KiwiMeds Device Guide

Part 1: How to Apply a Transdermal Patch

How to Apply Any Transdermal Patch

1. 1
   Choose a skin site — flat, clean, dry, hairless skin. Recommended sites: lower abdomen (below waistband), outer upper arm, upper back, or buttocks. Avoid breasts, irritated, broken, or oily skin.
2. 2
   Clean and dry the site — wash with soap and water, rinse, and completely dry. Do not use alcohol, lotions, or oils on the site before applying.
3. 3
   Remove the old patch first (if replacing). Fold it in half sticky-side in, place in the foil pouch and dispose in general waste — out of reach of children and pets.
4. 4
   Open the foil pouch. Peel back the protective liner and apply the sticky side firmly to skin, pressing all edges down for 30 seconds.
5. 5
   Rotate sites with each new patch — do not apply to the same site within 7 days. This prevents skin irritation and maintains consistent absorption.
6. 6
   Wash hands immediately after applying (especially fentanyl and HRT patches — residual medication on hands is a hazard).

Estradot (HRT) Patch — Specific Tips

• Apply to lower abdomen or buttocks — not the breasts
• Change every 3–4 days (twice weekly) — set a reminder
• If patch falls off, replace immediately and keep to original change schedule
• You can shower, swim, and exercise with the patch on

Part 2: How to Apply Eye Drops

1. 1
   Wash your hands thoroughly before touching your eyes or the bottle tip.
2. 2
   Tilt your head back or lie down. Look up at the ceiling.
3. 3
   Gently pull down your lower eyelid with one finger to create a small pocket.
4. 4
   Hold the bottle 2–3cm above your eye — do not touch the dropper tip to your eye or any surface. Squeeze gently to release one drop into the lower lid pocket.
5. 5
   Close your eye gently — do not blink rapidly. Gently press the inner corner of your eye (next to your nose) with your finger for 1–2 minutes — this is called nasolacrimal occlusion and stops the drop draining away.
6. 6
   If using two different eye drops, wait at least 5 minutes between each drop. Blot excess drops from around the eye with a clean tissue.
7. 7
   Replace the cap immediately after use. Wash hands again.

Latanoprost — Special Storage Note

If You Use Soft Contact Lenses

Remove contact lenses before applying eye drops (especially glaucoma drops, which contain preservatives). Wait at least 15 minutes before reinserting lenses. Preservative-free eye drops (single-use vials) are available for contact lens wearers — ask your pharmacist.

General Tips

• One drop is enough — the eye can only hold about 7 microlitres; a standard drop is 30–50 microlitres, so the excess drains away regardless.
• If you miss a dose of glaucoma drops, apply when you remember — but never double dose.
• Discard eye drop bottles according to package instructions (usually 4 weeks after opening) to prevent infection.