Drug Notes

Loteprednol (Into the eye)

Loteprednol (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.

Brand Name(s):

Alrex, Lotemax

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

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 Alrex? 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.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• 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 While Using This Medicine:

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
• Nausea or vomiting
• 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
• Headache
• 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

Last Updated: 1/27/2017