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Alrex (Generic Loteprednol Ophthalmic)

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Why is this medication prescribed?

Different eye diseases are treated with ophthalmic loteprednol products:

  • After cataract surgery, loteprednol (Inveltys, Lotemax, Lotemax SM) is used to alleviate swelling and pain (procedure to treat clouding of the lens in the eye).
  • Seasonal allergies can produce eye swelling, itching, and redness, which can be treated with loteprednol (Alrex).
    Loteprednol (Lotemax) is used to treat ocular rosacea (condition that can cause eye swelling, redness, and itching), herpes zoster (shingles; a rash that can develop in people who have had chickenpox in the past and can affect the eyes), allergies, specific eye infections, and other eye conditions that cause eye swelling.
  • To treat dry eye condition, utilise loteprednol (Eysuvis) (an eye disorder in which tears do not provide sufficient eye lubrication).

Loteprednol belongs to the corticosteroid drug class. It functions by preventing the release of specific organic compounds that cause discomfort, itchiness, and edoema.

How should this medicine be used?

Ophthalmic loteprednol is available as an eye ointment to apply to the eye as well as a suspension (liquid) and gel for instilling into the eyes. Loteprednol 0.5% (Lotemax) eye drops, eye gel, and eye ointment are often applied four times daily starting the day following surgery and continuing for two weeks when used to alleviate eye edoema and pain after eye surgery. It is typical to inject loteprednol 0.38% gel (Lotemax SM) three times per day starting the day following surgery and continuing for two weeks. Typically, loteprednol 1% eye drops (Inveltys) are applied twice daily starting the day following surgery and continuing for 2 weeks. Loteprednol 0.2% eye drops (Alrex) are typically injected into the afflicted eye(s) four times a day when used to treat seasonal allergies. Loteprednol 0.5% eye drops (Lotemax) are typically injected into the affected eye or eyes four times daily when used to treat certain disorders that cause eye edoema; however, during the first week of treatment, your doctor may advise you to do so more frequently. Loteprednol 0.25% (Eysuvis) eye drops are typically injected into the afflicted eye(s) four times per day for two weeks when used to treat dry eye. Utilize loteprednol every day at roughly the same periods. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any instructions on your prescription label that you are unsure about following. Implement loteprednol ophthalmic exactly as advised. Use it only as directed by your doctor, neither more nor less often.

Be careful not to allow the bottle or tube’s tip touch your eyes, fingers, face, or any other surface when using ophthalmic loteprednol. Bacteria could enter the drug if the tip does come into contact with another surface. Use of bacterially contaminated eye medicine may result in severe eye damage or blindness. Call your doctor or pharmacist if you believe your eye drops, gel, or ointment has gotten contaminated.

Follow these steps to apply the eye drops or gel:

  1. Use soap and water to thoroughly wash your hands.
  2. Shake the container of eye drops thoroughly for at least three seconds before usage. If using the gel, shake it once after shaking the closed bottle on its side.
  3. Make sure the dropper tip is not broken or chipped by inspecting it.
  4. Keep the eye drops and dropper clean by avoiding rubbing the tip against your eye or anything else.
  5. Pull your lower eyelid down to create a pocket with your index finger while cocking your head back.
  6. With your other hand, place the dropper as near to your eye as you can without touching it, tip down.
  7. Place the hand’s remaining fingers to your face.
  8. Squeeze the dropper gently while looking up so that a single drop falls into the lower eyelid’s pocket. Your index finger should be taken off the lower eyelid.
  9. Tip your head down so that you are looking at the floor while closing your eyes for two to three minutes. Avoid blinking or squeezing your eyelids.
  10. Give the tear duct a slight squeeze with your finger.
  11. Use a tissue to remove any extra liquid or gel from your face.
  12. Wait at least 5 minutes before applying the next drop if you plan to use more than one in the same eye.
  13. Replace and secure the dropper bottle’s cap. Never rinse or clean the dropper tip.
  14. To get rid of any medication, wash your hands.

Follow these directions to apply the eye ointment:

  1. Use soap and water to thoroughly wash your hands.
  2. Apply the cream yourself or have someone else do it.
  3. Do not touch the tube’s tip to your eye or to anything else. Keep the ointment tidy at all times.
  4. Lean your head slightly forward.
  5. Place the tube as close to your eyelid as you can without touching it while holding it between your thumb and index finger.
  6. Put the hand’s remaining fingers against your cheek or nose.
  7. Pull your lower eyelid down to create a pocket with the index finger of your other hand.
  8. In the space created by the lower lid and the eye, dab some ointment. In most cases, a 1/2-inch (1.25-centimeter) strip of ointment is sufficient unless your doctor instructs you otherwise.
  9. To help the medication be absorbed, gently close your eyes and hold them closed for one to two minutes.
  10. Immediately replace and tighten the cap.
  11. With a fresh tissue, remove any extra ointment from your eyes and lashes. Rewash your hands.

Other uses for this medicine

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details if you believe this drug should be used for something else.

What special precautions should I follow?

Before using loteprednol eye drops,

  • If you have any allergies, including those to any of the ingredients in loteprednol eye drops, gel, or ointment, tell your doctor and pharmacist very away. Request a list of the components from your pharmacist.
  • Inform your doctor and pharmacist about any additional prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, dietary supplements, and herbal products you are now taking or intend to use. Your physician might need to adjust the dosage of your drugs or keep a close eye on you for side effects.
  • If you currently have any kind of eye infection, let your doctor know. Your physician could advise against using ophthalmic loteprednol.
  • Inform your doctor if you have or have ever had glaucoma, any other eye diseases, or the herpes simplex virus. Glaucoma is a condition in which elevated pressure in the eye can cause a gradual loss of vision (a virus that causes sores to form on the face, lips, genitals, and rectum and can also cause eye infections.)
  • If you are breastfeeding a child or intend to become pregnant, let your doctor know. Call your doctor if you become pregnant while taking ophthalmic loteprednol.
  • If you wear contact lenses, let your doctor know. During your ophthalmic loteprednol treatment, your doctor could advise you to refrain from wearing contact lenses. You should be aware that loteprednol eye drops include benzalkonium chloride, which can be absorbed by soft contact lenses, if your doctor says you can wear contacts during your therapy. Before applying the eye drops, take out your soft contacts, and put them back in at least 10 to 15 minutes later. During your therapy with loteprednol gel or ointment, you should not wear contact lenses.
  • If you are using loteprednol after surgery, you should be aware that it may prolong healing, raise the possibility of specific complications following cataract surgery, and increase your risk of developing an eye infection or making an existing infection worse. Call your doctor right away if you get any new eye pain, swelling, redness, itching, or pain that does not go away within two days.
  • Call your doctor if your symptoms persist after two days when using loteprednol eye drops to treat seasonal allergies or to decrease ocular edoema brought on by particular medical conditions.

What special dietary instructions should I follow?

Keep eating normally unless your doctor instructs you otherwise.

What should I do if I forget a dose?

The missed dose should be taken as soon as you remember. If the next dose is soon due, skip the missed one and carry on with your regular dosing plan. Use only the prescribed amount of eye drops, gel, or ointment each time.

What side effects can this medication cause?

There may be negative effects from loteprednol. If any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away, let your doctor know right once:

  • Burning sensation after using the eye drops
  • Headache
  • Red, irritated, or dry eyes
  • Bleak eyes
  • Clogged nose

Some adverse effects can be very harmful. Call your doctor right away if any of these symptoms occur to you:

  • Eyesight alterations or fuzziness
  • Eye discomfort
  • Responsiveness to light
  • Creasing or dripping eyes
  • Sensing something in the eye

When administered for a longer duration, ophthalmic loteprednol may raise the chance of getting glaucoma. Your doctor will likely keep an eye on your eye pressure if you use loteprednol eye drops, eye gel, or ointment for more than 10 days. Discuss the dangers of using this drug with your doctor.

Other negative effects could be brought on by ophthalmic loteprednol. If you experience any strange issues while taking this drug, call your doctor right away.

You or your doctor can submit a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting programme online or by phone if you have a serious side event (1-800-332-1088).

What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication?

Keep this medication out of the reach of children, tightly closed in the original container. Store it away from excessive heat and moisture at room temperature (not in the bathroom). Avoid freezing.

As many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and are simple for young children to open, it is crucial to keep all medications out of sight and out of reach of children. Always lock safety caps and promptly stash medication up and away from young children where it is out of their sight and reach to prevent poisoning. http://www.upandaway.org

Unused prescriptions must be disposed of carefully to prevent pets, kids, and other people from ingesting them. You should not, however, dispose of this medication in the toilet. Instead, utilising a medicine take-back programme is the easiest approach to get rid of your medication. To find out about take-back programmes in your area, speak with your pharmacist or the garbage/recycling department in your city. If you do not have access to a take-back programme, see the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medicines website at http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for additional information.

In case of emergency/overdose

Call your local poison control centre at 1-800-222-1222 if someone consumes ophthalmic loteprednol. Dial 911 to reach the nearest emergency services if the sufferer has collapsed or has stopped breathing.

What other information should I know?

Keep all of your doctor’s appointments.

No one else should take your medication. Any queries you may have regarding medication refills should be directed to your pharmacist.

You should keep a written record of every medication you take, including any over-the-counter (OTC) items, prescription drugs, and dietary supplements like vitamins and minerals. This list should be brought with you whenever you see a doctor or are admitted to the hospital. You should always have this information with you in case of emergencies.

Brand names

  • Alrex®
  • Eysuvis®
  • Inveltys®
  • Lotemax®
  • Lotemax® SM
  • Zylet® (as a combination product containing Loteprednol, Tobramycin)
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