Loteprednol (Into the eye)
loe-te-PRED-nol
Treats redness, itching, or watering of the eyes caused by several conditions, including allergies, eye infection, herpes zoster, and eye surgery. Also treats eye pain and swelling caused by eye surgery. This medicine is a corticosteroid.
Drug classes
Ophthalmologic Agent (About this – PubMed Health)
Uses
Uses of This Medicine
Loteprednol is used to treat eye pain, redness, and swelling caused by certain eye problems or eye surgery. It is also used to temporarily treat itching of the eye caused by a condition known as seasonal allergic conjunctivitis. This medicine belongs to the group of medicines known as corticosteroids (steroids or cortisone-like medicines).
This medicine is available only with your doctor’s prescription.
Other uses (PubMed Health)
How To Use
Gel/Jelly, Liquid, Ointment, Drop
Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.
This medicine is not for long-term use.
Wash your hands with soap and water before and after using this medicine.
Turn the closed bottle upside down and shake it one time before you put the medicine in your eye. Remove the cap while you hold the bottle upside down.
Lie down or tilt your head back. With your index finger, pull down the lower lid of your eye to form a pocket.
To use the eye drops: Hold the dropper close to your eye with the other hand. Drop the correct number of drops into the pocket made between your lower lid and eyeball. Gently close your eyes. Place your index finger over the inner corner of your eye for 1 minute. Do not rinse or wipe the dropper or allow it to touch anything, including your eye. Put the cap on the bottle right away. Keep the bottle upright when you are not using it.
Remove contact lenses before you put the drops in your eyes. Wait at least 10 minutes after you use Alrexâ„¢ eye drops before you put your contact lenses back in. Talk to your eye doctor about this if you have questions.
If a dose is missed:
Apply a dose as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and apply a regular dose. Do not apply extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of the used medicine container and any leftover medicine after you have finished your treatment. You will also need to throw away old medicine after the expiration date has passed.
Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.
Drugs and Foods to Avoid
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
When Not To Use
Do not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to loteprednol or other corticosteroids. Do not use this medicine if you have certain types of fungal, bacterial, or viral eye infections (such as herpes simplex). Do not use this medicine for any eye condition except the one your doctor prescribed it to treat.
Warnings
Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, if you have an eye problem (such as glaucoma, an infection, or a history of herpes simplex), or if you recently had cataract surgery.
This medicine may increase the pressure inside your eye and cause glaucoma or cause posterior subcapsular cataracts (a rare type of cataract). Slow or delayed healing may also occur if you are using this medicine after cataract surgery. You will need regular eye exams to check for these problems.
If you hurt your eye, develop an eye infection, or need to have eye surgery, talk with your doctor right away. You may need to change your medicine or stop using it.
Do not wear contact lenses while you are using Lotemax®.
Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse.
Possible side effects
Summary More details
Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:
Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
Blurred vision, changes in vision, light sensitivity, pain
Redness, swelling, or irritation of the eye
If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:
Burning when you put the drops in your eyes
Discharge from the eye
Dry eyes
Feeling of having something in the eye
Runny nose, sore throat
If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
More side effects of this drug
Brand names include
Alrex, Lotemax
There may be other brand names for this medicine.