Lotepred Gel

Indications

Loteprednol etabonate is a steroid eye medicine. The 0.5% eye drops, gel or ointment are used to treat pain and inflammation after eye surgery (such as cataract surgery) and other inflammation of the front of the eye that responds to steroids. The 0.2% eye drops are used to relieve the itching and redness of seasonal allergic conjunctivitis (eye allergy).

How It Works

It reduces the release of natural substances that cause inflammation, swelling and allergy in the eye. It is designed to be broken down quickly once it is absorbed, which lowers, but does not remove, the risk of raised eye pressure seen with some other eye steroids.

Dosage and Administration

• Inflammation (0.5%): usually 1 to 2 drops in the affected eye four times a day, or as prescribed. After surgery, treatment usually starts 24 hours after the operation and continues for about 2 weeks.
• Eye allergy (0.2%): usually 1 drop in the affected eye four times a day.

Shake the bottle well before use. Do not let the dropper touch the eye. If you use other eye drops, wait at least 5 minutes between them. Do not stop early or use it for longer than prescribed; if treatment goes beyond 10 days, the doctor should check your eye pressure.

Interactions

No important interactions with medicines taken by mouth are expected, because very little reaches the bloodstream. Tell the doctor about all eye medicines you use, especially other steroid eye drops.

Contraindications

• Allergy to loteprednol, other corticosteroids or any ingredient.
• Viral eye infections, including herpes simplex infection of the cornea, chickenpox and similar infections.
• Fungal or mycobacterial (such as tuberculosis) infections of the eye.

Side Effects

Common: short-lived blurred vision, burning or stinging when applied, watery or dry eyes, itching, light sensitivity and headache. Long use can raise eye pressure, lead to cataract, slow wound healing, or allow eye infections to develop.

Get urgent medical help for: eye pain, worsening or sudden change in vision, seeing halos around lights, increasing redness, swelling or discharge (possible infection), or signs of an allergic reaction.

Pregnancy and Lactation

Little is absorbed into the body, but there is limited information on use in pregnancy, so use it only if the doctor judges it necessary. It is not known whether it passes into breast milk; ask the doctor before using it while breastfeeding.

Precautions and Warnings

Use only under a doctor's supervision. Tell the doctor if you have glaucoma, a thin cornea or sclera, or a history of herpes eye infection. If symptoms do not improve within 2 days, see the doctor again. Remove soft contact lenses before use and wait at least 10 to 15 minutes before putting them back, and do not wear lenses while the eye is inflamed or infected. Vision may blur briefly after use; do not drive until it clears.

Overdose

Using extra drops is unlikely to cause serious harm, but regular overuse increases the risk of raised eye pressure and infection. If the medicine is swallowed, contact a doctor.

Therapeutic Class

Corticosteroid (eye preparation).

Storage

Store below 25°C, upright, away from light and out of the reach of children. Do not freeze. Keep the bottle tightly closed and throw it away 4 weeks after first opening, or as stated on the pack.